In 2023, Pollards acquired the BCQ Group which had fallen on hard times following the Covid pandemic.

The origins of BCQ go back to 1976, when Richard Knowles founded Busiprint, a copy shop, in Buckingham.  Following very impressive growth, a new factory was occupied in 2002 and a merger to form Buckingham Colour Quest (BCQ) followed.  Richard then led the growth strategy until retirement, gradually establishing a range of high quality customers.

When Chris Knowles became BCQ’s Managing Director in 2015, he brought further panache to the business.  Asked by Printweek what the industry could do better he replied: ‘Be proud of itself – print, when well done, is one of the most beautiful and engaging mediums ever conceived’.  In another article, he declared: ‘We are being more selective in our customers.  We want to make print sexy again.’  This creative and strategic commitment was backed by bold investment in productive equipment and highly skilled staff teams so that BCQ became one of the most admired companies in the industry.

The pandemic affected all printers hard, and exceptional events exposed BCQ’s finances further.  In purchasing BCQ from administration, Pollards was able to save over 100 jobs and to preserve the concept of marketing through beautiful, engaging, high value – and even sexy – print.

The scale of the acquisition was significant even in terms of Pollards’ long history.  Despite contraction within the industry, it affirmed the company’s commitment to growth by providing creative, multi-channel marketing and brand management services.

BCQ Website

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