Northwolds Richardson: new firm will aim to recruit young talent after Yorkshire companies with 120 year history unite

Last month, it was announced that Pocklington-based Northwolds Printers Limited had acquired Wood Richardson for an undisclosed sum, with a new company named Northwolds Richardson Group set to be formed.

Gurdev Singh, who will take charge of the newly formed firm having previously been managing director at Northwolds, told The Yorkshire Post that the new business would look to hire more young people going into 2024.

He said: “The print sector has an ageing demographic, and we want to recruit new people, people with ideas that can take us into new areas

“We want people with specific talents who can bring something new to the party, and we’re looking towards young people for that.”

The newly formed business is expected to have a revenue of around £2.5 million, and currently employs 25 staff.

The businesses will combine at Northwolds’s existing Pocklington site, with Wood Richardson moving away from the York centre site it has occupied since 1988.

Mr Singh noted that drawing in young people had historically been a challenge for the printing industry.

He said: “It's not easy, but I think if you can show them a career path, loyalty and the willingness to back them, they will come.

“If you can show that you trust them, and that you’ll back their ideas despite their age, young people like that more than anything else.

“So that’s what we’ll be offering, come to us with lots of ideas, we’ll help you put together a business case, and if it's sound, then we’ll back you.”Wood Richardson was first founded in 1905, and has been run by the Wood Richardson family since the mid 1920s.

Managing director James Richardson noted that without the acquisition, the firm faced a “challenging” future.

He said: “It was an opportunity for us to give some security to our staff going forward. My main focus has been on trying to get the best for the staff here.”

Mr Richardson recently rejoined the company after his mother, who previously ran the firm, passed away earlier this year.

He intends to step away from the firm again following the completion of the acquisition.

He said: “I’m going back to my normal day job in a month or so, but the business is in good hands with Gurdev.

“Although I won't be involved, I wish the company every success going forward. This is a good way for both companies to carry on and grow.”

Northwolds Richardson Group hopes to grow in the next three years both through organic growth and further acquisitions, with an aim of reaching £5 million in turnover in three years time.