Print companies Impress Digital and local rival Eaton Press Print Solutions have merged for an undisclosed sum to create the Icon Print Group, a supplier of digital and litho print with a combined turnover of almost £2 million.

The merger of the two Liverpool companies is to produce a wider range of print solutions whilst reducing overheads. The group estimates cost savings of some £100,000 in the first year.

Barry Hodgson, former managing director of Impress takes on the role of joint managing director of Icon along with Shaun Kearon, managing director of Eaton.

Johanna Winterbottom, regional sales director of Close Invoice Finance, acted as facilitator to the deal. Winterbottom said: “Icon selected us because of our invoice discounting facility, Ideal, which provides secure, online invoice processing in real time. This innovative product combined with Close’s industry leading customer satisfaction performance led Icon to sign a 12-month rolling contract.”