We're proud to share a milestone moment for Magnum Digital Solutions. We have acquired Timsons— the storied Kettering manufacturer of book presses — and we're bringing production of these machines back to the UK. It's a significant step forward for our company, and one that's already gaining momentum: two of Timsons' zero-make-ready presses have been sold before the ink is dry on the deal.
Why this matters to Magnum
For Magnum, this acquisition is far more than a business transaction. It's personal. Our founder and CEO, Steve Fyfe, spent nearly two decades as managing director of Timsons North America before launching Magnum in 2009 to build high-speed digital finishing systems. As Steve puts it, he's someone who "bleeds Timsons red." Taking stewardship of this brand isn't just a strategic move — it's a homecoming.
Steve closed the deal late last year, acquiring the business from Jane Brown, granddaughter of the company's founder, Arthur Richardson Timson. With that handshake, a name built by one family passed into the hands of the person who has spent his career championing it.
Building on our team's deep roots
We're fortunate to have the experience to match our ambition. Jon Walker, formerly Timsons' technical sales director, joined Magnum in January 2025 as our European sales director. Jon spent eight years at Timsons before moving to Kolbus, which had taken on parts of the Timsons product line — including the T-Fold — in 2015, following an earlier period when Timsons' focus on digital presses proved unsuccessful and its digital arm entered voluntary liquidation.
A recent restructure at Kolbus created an opening, and we seized it — acquiring Kolbus's digital assets to strengthen our position even further.
"Alongside the purchase of Timsons, Magnum have also acquired the digital assets from Kolbus in the form of the digital folder, further strengthening our position in the digital finishing arena," Jon said. "The Rotary FlexFold will complement the FlexBook digital finishing devices we already offer from our facility in Canada — but this one will be manufactured here in the UK, at the Timsons headquarters in Kettering."
The Rotary FlexFold is built for demanding, high-volume work. Available in narrow and wide web versions handling widths up to 1,524mm (60in), it runs at 300mpm (1,000ft/min) — perfectly matched to the high-speed digital web presses it's designed to support.
A vote of confidence from Clays
The momentum is already showing in the market. Clays is installing two Timsons ZMR (Zero Make Ready) book presses at its Bungay facility, the largest single-site book printing operation in the UK.
Ian Smith, Clays' deputy managing director, described it as part of a long-term partnership. "Our continued investment in partnership with Timsons reflects our long-term commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and supporting the evolving needs of the publishing industry," he said. "Following the successful introduction of our latest technology, we are pleased to have two further zero-make-ready text presses from Timsons already on order. A Royal-sized press is expected at the start of next year, followed by another B-format machine at the end of 2027."
He added: "These investments will be truly transformative, significantly increasing our production capacity and efficiency while reinforcing Clays' position as a leading manufacturing partner for publishers. We value our strong relationship with Timsons and look forward to the opportunities these new capabilities will create for our customers and our business in the years ahead."
What's next for Magnum and Timsons
This is a business with real substance behind it. Timsons Engineering operates its own foundry and machine shop, offering casting, contract engineering and CNC services, and employs around 60 people. Under Magnum's ownership, we're investing in that foundation for the long haul — including reopening the apprentice scheme to bring the next generation of engineers into the business.
"It's a nice story about reviving the business and brand, and for UK manufacturing," Jon said. "And we're re-opening the apprentice scheme as well."
Looking ahead, we intend to offer a clear upgrade path to Timsons' substantial existing customer base around the world, while continuing to grow our third-party manufacturing capabilities.
For Magnum, this is a defining moment — one that honours a remarkable legacy while positioning our company for an even stronger future in digital finishing and book manufacturing. We can't wait to show you what comes next.
