Close Brothers Asset Finance helps Bell & Bain secure MBO of J Thompson Colour Printers

Print Solutions

Close Brothers Asset Finance has played a key role in Glasgow based Bell & Bain’s management buy out of J Thompson Colour Printers.

Bell & Bain – founded in 1831 – is one of the oldest independent book and journal printers and binders in the UK, while J Thomson Colour Printers is one of the market leading printers in Scotland.

‘We are justifiably proud of our long association with printing, packaging and ancillaries, financially assisting customers through the economic cycles. Our understanding of this industry and its assets allows us the flexibility and speed that is so important in facilitating a successful outcome when assisting our clients with acquisitions and mergers, as well as the many other financial requirements of this core marketplace,’ said Roger Aust, managing director of Close Brothers Asset Finance’s print division.

‘Between them Bell & Bain and J Thomson have been trading for an incredible 270 years and are both, in their own rights, highly successful. Because of this, we had no hesitation in providing them with the asset backed facility they needed to complete the deal.’

Steve Docherty, managing director, Bell & Bain, said: ‘Both companies had something the other needed. The scale of the combined firms means we can offer a wider range of complementary services to clients using streamlined production and up to date technology.