Aberdeen-based print specialist XIC has entered a new chapter, with long-serving directors Murray Alexander and Jason Moir securing 100% ownership of the company. The pair have acquired the remaining shares from founder Bill Fawcett, solidifying their control over the Altens-based business after each dedicating over three decades to the firm.
Established in 1986, XIC operates from a 10,000 sq ft facility and currently employs 14 staff, reporting an annual turnover of approximately £1.5 million. Originally known as Xpress Print, the company rebranded to XIC in 2006. XIC has historically been at the forefront of technological adoption, notably being the first in Scotland to implement Apple Mac workstations in 1987. These were introduced shortly after the groundbreaking Macintosh II, Apple’s first modular computer supporting colour graphics.
Murray Alexander, 51, and Jason Moir, 56, both joined the company early in their careers, with Alexander beginning straight from Bridge of Don Academy at the age of 16. Alexander recounted their progression, stating: “Bill came up from Newcastle and built the business from nothing. I joined the business straight out of school at the age of 16 and started at the very bottom. Then Jason joined a number of years after. We both worked our way through the ranks.”
The latest transaction follows an initial management buyout in 2018, where Alexander and Moir acquired 75% of the business, with Fawcett retaining a 25% minority stake. The opportunity to assume full control was deemed a natural progression. Alexander commented on the decision:
“It was the obvious thing to do to, complete the buyout in its entirety. We’re still very enthusiastic about the trade and the business. It’s more about having confidence in the future of print.”
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“We owed it in a lot of ways to ourselves and the staff. Right from the get-go joining the business I really admired Bill and you could see how hard he had worked. I think that motivated me and he’s been a phenomenal mentor over the years. He’s afforded us the opportunity and we’ve worked hard to get it.”
XIC’s commitment to evolution is evident in its continued investment in technology, including two large format printers, a direct-to-object printer, and two digital printing presses, alongside new software systems to enhance operational efficiency. The company serves approximately 5,000 orders annually for a diverse client base across sectors such as energy, legal, financial, hospitality, food, leisure, automotive, manufacturing, and renewables. The firm has also been actively diversifying its geographical reach, delivering large-scale projects across the UK, China, Dubai, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore, Malta, and Turkey in the past year.
Highlighting the strategic importance of this global focus, Alexander stated: “We did work in a number of countries last year and we see an opportunity to really grow that. We would have been long gone if we were just sitting completely reliant on print in Aberdeen. But we’ve always been at the forefront and never stayed still.”
