Tony Hards and Bryan Godwyn have today announced successful negotiation for the business and certain assets of their former company GAE which fell into administration on January 5 in the wake of it’s parent group Litho Supplies Ltd on December 22.

With immediate effect Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS) will take on all the operational aspects of Horizon in the UK including sales, spare parts and customer support.

Joint managing director Bryan Godwyn says: “With the 100% support of Horizon and on the back of a very successful last quarter sales we are now looking to get back into our stride to maintain the high quality service our customers expect. We will continue to operate from GAE’s Perivale showroom with plans already underway to stage a number of process-dedicated workshops in February and March. At these events we will be underlining the importance of intelligently automated saddle-stitching, folding and perfect binding in the modern print house. With IPEX jus a few months away 2010 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for IFS and our highly valued clients.”

Tony Hards, joint managing director, adds: “We are delighted with the patience and loyalty shown by our customers and are pleased to be able to work with them to provide a solution to their business requirements. We have worked closely with the administrators and suppliers to make the transition as simple and smooth a procedure as possible.”

Due to legal and confidentially reasons specific details of the purchase cannot be made available.

Phil Duffy, partner at MCR and Joint Administrator with David Whitehouse, comments: “The sale represents the outcome of the tireless efforts of the parties to deal with the complex issues involved in order to reach an agreement.”