Stephen Austin acquires Hertford Offset

Hertford print firm Stephen Austin has acquired nearby company Hertford Offset, following the retirement of its owner Rosemary Wilkerson.

Hertford Offset specialises in sheetfed litho printing, largely for high-volume marketing jobs but also short-deadline and personalised work.

In a statement, Stephen Austin Group said: "Hertford Offset has a strong reputation for excellence in all areas of commercial print, with a proven track record of innovation and customer satisfaction. The combining of Hertford Offset and Stephen Austin Group’s operations is expected to create significant synergies, enabling a much more comprehensive suite of services and solutions for our customers.

"Stephen Austin Group is dedicated to the continuation of quality output from both Stephen Austin and Hertford Offset and current business will continue without disruption or change.

Stephen Austin & Sons currently employs 138 people at its Caxton Hill base. 

Local newspaper The Mercury was established by Stephen Austin in 1772. The business had offices at 1 Fore Street, now the Hertford House Hotel, and the printing works in Caxton Hill (named after printer William Caxton) was established in 1954.