Labelsco Ltd., a major independent label converter, was recently acquired by the MSO Group. Soon afterward the Belfast based packaging company merged Labelsco with its Hannibal Labels division, acquired only last year. Most of Hannibal’s equipment and work force were transferred to Labelsco’s nearby modern 75,350 square foot facility in Barwell, near Leicester.
According to Dominic Walsh, CEO of MSO Group, the enlarged company, which trades under the Labelsco name, has resulted in one of the UK’s largest privately owned label companies.
John Woods, formerly Hannibal’s managing director, now heads up the revamped company, replacing Bob Robinson, the former long-serving MD who has since retired. The combined turnover is expected to be around £16.5 million ($33.22 million) with a workforce of 170 employees. Overall group turnover, which includes MSO Cartonmaster and Storey Evans, is around £55 million ($110.75 million), of which labels contribute around £23 million ($46.31 million).
Founded in 1976, Labelsco is a highly successful recipient of print quality awards. It has received over 40 of them from FINAT and TLMI since 1992 alone and in 2006 gained two World Label Awards. Products include security items, leaflet labels, foil and laminate sachets, and Braille-printed labels. The main business is servicing accounts in the pharmaceutical, food, household and DIY, horticulture, health and beauty, and automotive sectors.
Production is centered on eight- and six-color Nilpeter FA 2400 and FA3300 UV flexo combination presses, backed by in-house design and full prepress facilities. The original Labelsco employed 125 people who contributed to a pre-tax profit of £335,000 from sales worth £9.5 million in the year to March 31, 2006.