David Searle and Steve Hardy of HS Printers have issued a statement setting out their position after news of their purchase of MPI businesses sparked a polarising debate within the industry.

Does anyone know if it is confirmed Premier Paper Group Ltd is going to supply Borcombe?

HS Printers have offered a statement clearly stating that this is not a phoenix and they have no connection with MPI. Since the statement was posted all the finger pointing and accusations appear to have ceased, so give them and us a chance. Why these people have been singled out for such a torrent of abuse is beyond me. The debt belongs to MPI and remember they have given 250 people a chance to keep a job, which believe me I am bloody thankful for.

If all "finger pointing and accusations" appears to stop why add you comment. I think it has stopped because everything has been said. It is now up to the paper merchants, suppliers and customers to decide if they wish to deal with your "new" company. As for the Martin Daneils comment i think you find that is a fake-if it's not and the same senior management structure is in place then HS statement, Mr Rolt and your comments do not hold any water. And I for one will not be dealing with any of your suppliers. I wish the honest work force all the best

Give them the break, time will tell. I think we all have beome suspicious owing to actions of a few. How will anyone ever trade again unless balanced views and discussions take place along with guarantees. The trust has to be shown from somewhere or we will all be screwed. Pre pack is becoming the dirty word\(s), but can all pre pack deals be bent?

The government needs to take action against pheonix companies closing one day and setting up the next leaving the creditors with a very bitter taste in thier mouth and empty pockets. The answer is to bar previous directors/owners having any involvement in the new company. With regards to Borcombesp, this has been purchased from the receivers by totally new owners with no conection whatsoever with the previous management, so why all the hysteria? If you were going to stop any company for trading because the previous management went into liquidation half the printers in this country wouldn't be trading e.g. CTD printers, Colourhouse, Impressions, Butler and Tanner, Granite to name just a few.

Well said Hughie, dont know what some of the posters on here are getting so excited about, they ought to get out more!!

Ultimatel, everybody knows it was the unions that caused MPI to go bust. It's quite obvious that if a business has alredy gone bust change is enevetable - if you dont change things, everything will stay the same. If a Printer stops printing it is no longer a printer, they should have realised that before they went on strike. As Ghenges Khan said: "Never go to war without first knowing the outcome"

Nice comment Dave but the unions didn't go on strike they went to ACAS with the offer of a shedload of savings. Trouble was Mr Dolan didn't turn up as he was already busy locking down the site in Frome in preparation for the shutdown of the business with no prior warning on the Saturday. Workers, suppliers and ultimately you \(as a taxpayer) shafted 'cos the government picks up the tab. The process was then repeated at his other sites, again he accepts no blame, i'm glad MPI got bailed out and i hope the new owners can pull it out of the bag. Good luck to the employees who've been mucked about - i've been there, it stinks!

Another saying you might want to know Dave is, never make a statement without knowing the facts!

how about this one dave saying that everyone knows the union caused the demise of b and t;s makes you look just a bit silly take some time to look at the facts of the case . the actual events and the sequence in which they happened, and if you still think the same i will gjve you my current title of THE WORLDS DAFTEST MAN x x x x x

Good for you Mark

By the way how are HS printing FSC do any of the co's supplying them have FSC

Please help I due to go to court in a couple of weeks \\(union vs friary press) for our 3 month notice pay but its probably gonna get cancelled yet again due to the fact the legal bods have no idea who has the debt now and who is liable is it H & S or MPI ????? any ideas guys cause I need my money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In reply to Mr Carmichael question I think you will find 1 major paper merchant are supplying them with FSC and other paper grades.