A BUYER has been found for a respected Ipswich printing firm within two weeks of the stricken company going into voluntary liquidation. Suffolk businessman John Bafico, owner of Felixstowe-based printer Felix Press, has agreed to buy Calver Press following a targeted mailing campaign to potential purchasers in the local area carried out by the liquidator Ensors Chartered Accountants in Ipswich.

A BUYER has been found for a respected Ipswich printing firm within two weeks of the stricken company going into voluntary liquidation.

Suffolk businessman John Bafico, owner of Felixstowe-based printer Felix Press, has agreed to buy Calver Press following a targeted mailing campaign to potential purchasers in the local area carried out by the liquidator Ensors Chartered Accountants in Ipswich.

Calver Press went into liquidation on August 29 with the loss of six jobs, ending 145 years of trading which included a relationship with Ipswich Building Society spanning three centuries. Former owner Keith Gostling blamed the rise in modern office technology which, he said, eliminated the demand for print.

The new owner Mr Bafico confirmed the company would continue to trade under the Calver Press name. Having spoken to most of the firm's clients, he is hopeful of retaining many of them. He has also rehired one former long-standing member of staff.

Mr Bafico said: “I am looking forward to resuming trading at the Friars Street premises. Calver Press was a well respected company in the local community and will provide the perfect springboard from which I can develop my business interests.”

He added he is currently in talks with suppliers to install new digital printing technology at the firm.

Rachael Davison, Ensors' manager in charge of the deal, said: “The speed with which this deal has been completed is great news for all stakeholders in The Calver Press Limited. It reflects the excellent reputation the firm held with its peers locally and will hopefully enable the business to trade successfully for another 145 years.”