Cards-x Group Acquires Eco-Friendly ID Card Holder Manufacturer Evohold
ID card distributor and specialist cards-x, which opened a UK operation two months ago, has acquired Preston-based eco-friendly ID card holder manufacturer Evohold.
The acquisition was completed last Tuesday (1 December) and will see Evohold’s machinery and manufacturing centre relocated to cards-x’s 186sqm distribution and manufacturing facility in Malton near York. The company’s branding will be retained.
Founded in 2016 by Max Fretwell, Evohold was run by Fretwell, and other family members who between them produced more than 10 million badge holders per annum. The family have now gone to pursue another business venture.
The company's products are exported globally. Its most popular product is 100% recyclable and it also produces an antimicrobial and compostable version of the badge holders.
cards-x have been supplying for almost 10 years now, a wide range of plastic card printers and related consumables that enable businesses and organisations to produce their own personalised ID cards. Its card production plant in Germany also prints plastic cards in ISO credit card format, as well as other special card formats, for all types of uses.
The company’s UK division is headed up by managing director Andy Reeves, who called the acquisition “a perfect fit that gives us another range of first-class products that we can offer customers”.
He added: “As with most sectors, the green agenda is shaping the future of our industry and, crucially, Evohold is at the forefront of this. All its products are manufactured in the UK and use recycled plastic or materials that are compostable in just four weeks."
“In addition, the antimicrobial products, that stop the cross contamination of germs, are proving particularly popular in the Covid-19 pandemic, in all types of environments from schools to hospitals, which makes this a key growth area.”
Fretwell said: “Over the last four years we’ve built a successful business on the foundations of being a UK manufacturer with solid eco-credentials. Andy immediately understood the importance of maintaining this ethos and I’m looking forward to seeing the products continue to flourish as part of Cards-x.”
cards-x plans to create 10 new jobs over the coming year.
The UK facility, which was opened on 1 October, was set up partly due to the pandemic, which the business said had accelerated the migration to cashless payments in sectors including catering.