A leading Cumbrian printing company has snapped up a Carlisle rival for an undisclosed sum.

H&H Reeds Printers, owned by H&H Group, has completed the acquisition of city-based Print Graphic Ltd in a deal that it says will help the company become the county’s foremost design and print powerhouse.

The move brings together Cumbria’s largest commercial printer in Penrith-headquartered H&H Reeds Printers – which specialises in print, display and signage – with Print Graphic’s bespoke creative consultancy, which produces branding and graphic solutions encompassing commercial print, signage, photography, websites and digital marketing.

The company will now trade as H&H Reeds, Print and Graphic Solutions.

The Print Graphic Ltd team and base in Warwick Road will be retained as part of the deal, adding to the existing H&H Reed Printers base in Southend Road, Penrith.

The newly enlarged business is the first acquisition by recently appointed H&H Group chief executive, Richard Rankin.

“With over 140 years’ of print experience, H&H Reeds Printers has a deep understanding of this sector,” he said.

“It is fast-paced and highly competitive, and this acquisition gives us the opportunity to stay at the forefront of the industry and ensure we offer our customers the full range of products and services expected in today’s market.

“Both companies have solid foundations and first-class customer bases, which we are expecting to grow by extending the services we can now offer into each respective business.”

The combined company has more than 40 members of staff, serving clients across the north of England and southern Scotland.

Its managing director, Andy Jackson, described the acquisition as a“natural next stage of the company’s evolution”.

“Print Graphic is highly respected within the region and adds value to our comprehensive portfolio by extending our expertise to cover those printing services we did not previously offer.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to increase capacity and drive print, graphic designs and signage to the market place and for us to expand our business geographically.”

Simon Rees, the owner of Print Graphic – which was established over 20 years ago – will take up the role of commercial director, a move that he said will allow him to dedicate more time to ensuring clients are aware of the expanded range of services the company now offers.

“This is an exciting opportunity for all of us, we have worked with Andy and the team from H&H Reeds on a number of projects recently and it is clear that our skills and knowledge complement each other,” he added.

H&H Reed Printers can trace its history back to 1878, when printer and stationer George Reed set up what was to become Reeds Printers in Langton Street, Penrith.

H&H Group acquired Reeds Printers in 2010 and, two years later, snapped up Albany Signs of Carlisle and Milnthorpe-based Cypher Digital to broaden its range to bespoke signs, exhibition and display equipment.

The company celebrated 100 years as a limited company in 2015.

In addition to its print business, Carlisle-headquartered H&H Group includes operations in auctioneering, including the Borderway Mart, insurance and property, and employs nearly 300 people.