Creative print provider XIC has been acquired by two of its longest-serving staff members as its founder steps aside after 32 years at the helm.
Bill Fawcett, who established the Aberdeen-based business over three decades ago, has passed on the managerial reins to Murray Alexander and Jason Moir, who become managing director and business development director respectively. Bill will retain a minority shareholding in the business.
[adbutler zone_id=’297765′]
XIC started life in the city in 1986, when Bill Fawcett carried out a management buy-out of the entire share capital of the print franchise he had run for a decade. The company, which was known as Xpress Print prior to rebranding in 2006, has since grown from high street copy shop to become a provider of design, print and digital services throughout Scotland.
Murray Alexander takes over the managing director role following a transaction managed by Aberdein Considine, which sees him acquire a majority shareholding. He will work alongside business development director Jason Moir, who also becomes a shareholder. The duo have 45 years’ combined experience with XIC and have been part of the company’s transformation from high street copy shop to design, print and digital services provider.
XIC has its 10,000 sq ft purpose-built headquarters and production facility on the south side of Aberdeen, with an additional city centre office presence in Edinburgh. The firm employs 19 members of staff and handles design, print and digital projects on behalf of clients across a variety of industry sectors through the north-east and beyond. Its range of additional services includes exhibition and display materials, tender bid enhancement, specialist print safety products and copying and scanning.
Within the past 18 months XIC has made an investment in excess of £200,000 in new digital printing presses. The equipment has allowed the company to process an increasingly diverse scope of print projects, in terms of size, materials and turnaround times. XIC has also added to its studio team in order to strengthen the firm’s capacity for design work. The company intends to use these combined production and creative capabilities as a springboard for growing its customer base across the country.
Bill Fawcett said: “Murray joined the business in its fledgling years as Xpress Print, working his way through the ranks and becoming an extremely valued member of the management team. Jason is another stalwart of the business, who is well-known and highly regarded by our existing client base. I look forward to watching the business continue to grow under their combined guidance and leadership.”
Murray Alexander entered the print industry directly from school in 1991. He was appointed as XIC’s production director in 2006, before becoming director of operations in 2010.
He said: “XIC has always been a progressive and innovative company to work for – it was one of the first printers in Scotland to install Apple Mac workstations in 1987. This aligns with the company’s commitment to delivering the best possible service for clients – a commitment I look forward to upholding in the years to come.
“I have grown up with the company, as have many of our staff members and I feel very fortunate to inherit a highly experienced and hardworking team. My focus now is to combine this expertise with our new print technology to increase XIC’s business presence across Scotland.”
Jason Moir hails from Brechin. He joined the company in 1999 as studio manager before moving into a business development role.
He said: “Exciting times lie ahead for XIC – and I am looking forward to introducing new and existing customers to the growing range of services and products that we can provide. The company has developed an excellent reputation for its service standards and expertise, which we intend to sustain – and indeed build on.”
