Throughout the late 1980s into the early 1990s it established itself as a heatset web printer and was acquired by Hurst Publishing to safeguard the production of AutoTrader magazine. In the years that followed Acorn was owned by many different groups, including BC Partners, Guardian Media Group and Garnett Dickinson. The company became wholly independent in 2013 following a management buyout. Since then the business has grown significantly, investing in lots of new printing technology to support its many loyal customers.
Where are you based?
Acorn is based in Normanton in West Yorkshire
How many staff do you have?
130 employees
What does your firm do?
A4 and A5 multi-page magazines, catalogues and brochures from 5,000 copies up
Who’s your typical customer?
A magazine publisher
Which geographic areas do you serve?
UK and Ireland
Which markets do you serve?
Publishing, retail, membership organisations, travel and tourism, councils and local government, and direct mail
What’s your USP?
Rapid makeready and market-leading paper waste efficiency. We love printing high-pagination, multi-version magazines, catalogues and brochures and saving our customers money
What’s your company’s motto/mission statement?
To offer consistently high-quality print that is right first time, delivered on time, every time and to provide this in a no fuss, friendly way that allows our customers to relax and focus on their own businesses
What equipment do you run?
16pp Man Rotoman and 32pp Man Lithoman web offset presses, KBA Rapida 105 B1 UV sheetfed press, four Muller Martini saddle stitchers, one Muller Martini perfect binder
What’s been your proudest achievement in the past few years?
In the last year we have taken several clear and tangible actions to reduce our impact on the environment. These actions have also helped stabilise our offering to customers. We have also established a number of new initiatives to thank and reward our loyal staff
Where do you see your business in five years’ time?
Successfully doing more of the same and having established the next round of investment with new printing and finishing equipment
What’s your team’s favourite biscuit?
Chocolate Hobnobs (accompanied by a strong cup of Yorkshire tea)
