Welcome to Mortons of Horncastle Ltd, the Lincolnshire printers and publishers who, since the 19th Century, have taken pride in their service and their technology.
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Printing:- Morton presses produce newspapers and magazines using award-winning computer-to-plate technology.
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Publishing:- Mortons classic motorcycling magazines dominate their particular niche in Great Britain. Heritage publications cater for lovers of the bygone world of steam.
Bike shows: Mortons Motorcycle Media also operates a series of bike shows in the UK.
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NEW LOOK FOR MANAGEMENT AT MORTONS

8 February 2008

Mortons Media Group Ltd, the expanding Horncastle magazine publishing company, now has a new man at the helm.
Brian Hill this month took over the Managing Director’s chair after 18 years as the company’s Finance Director. “I have been part of a team which has worked to achieve an eight-fold increase in turnover,” said Mr Hill, “and I look forward to continuing this development.”

Right:

Planning for the future – the new executive board of Mortons Media Group Ltd. Chairman Philip Sharpe (standing) is pictured with, left to right, Business Development Director Terry Clark, Operations Director Andrew Savage, Managing Director Brian Hill, Finance Director Kathryn Pinder and Commercial Director Nigel Hole. Also on the Board are non-executive directors Angela Spencer and Helen Harness.

Brian, a Lancastrian, came to Alford as Chief Accountant at C S Martin Ltd before moving to Mortons. He was at one time treasurer for the very successful Alford Craft Market and, in his more athletic years an enthusiastic member of Skegness Rugby Club.

He takes over at the top from local man Terry Clark who has led the independent company from comparatively small beginnings to its present level of operations – publishing more than 20 monthly national publications (many of which circulate within the world of motorcycling). Terry remains on the Board in the capacity of Business Development Director. Kathryn Pinder, a Chartered Accountant, succeeds Brian as Finance Director.  She joined Mortons two years ago from East Lindsey District Council.

The Board is augmented by the addition of Andrew Savage as Operations Director and Nigel Hole as Commercial Director. Andrew has been with Mortons for some 25 years and Nigel joined the company three years ago after holding a position with national magazine distributors the Magazine Marketing Company. Non-executive directors are Angela Spencer and Helen Harness.

Commented chairman Philip Sharpe: “Mortons Media Group has shown spectacular growth and we had reached the point where a Board re-structure was necessary to cope with present demands and with longer-term development.”

He paid warm tribute to the great contribution made over the years by Terry Clark who joined Mortons forty years ago to work upon the Horncastle and Woodhall Spa News. “I am so pleased that Mortons will continue to benefit from his enterprise,” he said. Terry expressed appreciation to the Board for giving him the chance to wind down a little. “A reduction in my working hours will still allow me to be actively involved with the company as well as giving me the opportunity to pursue my many other interests outside of work,” he said.

Mortons Media Group’s sister company, Mortons Print Ltd (Managing Director, Ian Fisher) has also gained a new Board member – David Bird, a Chartered  Management Accountant (who formerly held a post with Norprint at Boston) is now Finance Director. Both companies are subsidiaries of the independent family-owned Mortons of Horncastle Ltd.

Right:

Ian Fisher (Managing Director) (stood left), Kathryn Pinder (Finance, Mortons of Horncastle Ltd) and Chief Executive Philip Sharpe congratulate David Bird on his new role.

Mortons Media Group Ltd aquire Motorcycle Racer magazine.

5 December 2007

Mortons Media Group Ltd, publishers of top UK motorcycle titles, such as Motorcycle Sport & Leisure, Classic Racer, and Motor Cycle Monthly - are pleased to announce we have taken ownership of Motorcycle Racer magazine.

Better than a pit pass!
Motorcycle racing has a huge following in the UK, Ireland and beyond. Over 4 million people enjoyed British superbike, World superbike and MotoGP racing coverage last year across a variety of terrestrial and satellite television stations, with hundreds of thousands of people braving the elements and enjoying the action live.

Motorcycle Racer aims to bring the excitement of the sport to the fans. In this personality driven industry, Motorcycle Racer gives the reader exclusive interviews with the top riders from across the globe. We have regular monthly columns from racers, giving an in-depth analysis of their life at the top.
Extensive technical information about the top racing machinery is regularly featured, our team providing the specs, stunning photography and the inside track on racebike development. The motorcycle Racer reader can enjoy intelligent and informed comment on the sport they love.

News links: Motorcycle Racer website

Mortons Print Ltd - EMERGENCY BACK-UP

15 June 2007

To provide mutual support in the event of emergency, Mortons Print Ltd recently entered into a “resilience” agreement with the Archant print centre in neighbouring Norfolk. When such contingency plans are drawn up it is hoped by both parties that they will never be used – but this one was just in time!
The trade magazine Print Week on June 14th carried the headline: “Fire damages Archant’s Norwich print site as Mortons offers help.”
The story notes that Mortons printed 50,000 copies of the Eastern Daily Press (the first time in its 137-year history that it has been printed outside Norfolk). Editor Peter Franzen is quoted as saying that “the switch of production to our friends in Lincolnshire worked pretty smoothly.”

News links: Mortons Print Ltd website

Mortons Print Ltd – Managing Director

30 January 2007

The Board of Mortons of Horncastle Ltd has appointed Mr Ian Fisher as Managing Director of Mortons Print Ltd. He also has a seat on the main board.Ian joined Mortons last year as Deputy Managing Director (Commercial), coming to Horncastle after running Northcliffe’s premier press hall at Stoke on Trent.

Mortons chairman, Philip Sharpe, commenting upon Ian’s knowledge of the industry and commercial acumen, comments: “I have no doubt whatsoever that he is the right man to lead Mortons Print into the future.

Ian Fisher responded that he was enthused by the wider challenges presented by the appointment and was looking forward to working with the Group Board and all at Mortons Print in further building on the company’s considerable achievements..

Mortons Media Group Ltd acquire Organic Gardening magazine

18 December 2006

Mortons Media Group Ltd are delighted to announce they have purchased Organic Gardening magazine which will prove to be an ideal partner for Kitchen Garden, the UK’s best-selling magazine for the serious fruit and vegetable grower.

Organic Gardening is the only true organic gardening title on the market. Founded in 1988, and in continuous publication ever since, it now brings the number of titles published by the media company to 20.

Managing Director of Mortons Media Group Ltd Terry Clark commented: ‘We are delighted to have acquired Organic Gardening which has many synergies with Kitchen Garden, a title which has seen massive year-on-year growth in high street sales. We have exciting plans for the title and we are confident we can ride on the back of the huge interest in growing organic food.’

The magazine has been owned and run by Gaby Bartai who has also edited the magazine, will continue in this role under the new ownership.

‘I am looking forward to working with a larger company who will have the time and resource to develop the magazine to its full potential,’ said Gaby.

 ‘Gardening organically is a satisfying and rewarding activity in its own right, but Organic Gardening places it in the context of the wider environment and today’s urgent need for practices which promote sustainability, encourage biodiversity and develop an eco-friendly approach to nature,’ she added.

News links: Organic Gardening website | Mortons Media Group Ltd website

Mortons Print Ltd scoop Goss award for second year running

09 November 2006

For the second year in succession Mortons Print Ltd collected the Special Achievement Trophy at the Goss Single Awards on Sunday evening.

This year we won the award with the weekly Japanese title Bayspo.

The judges were impressed with the overall quality of the product, particular mention was made to both the registration and consistent inking throughout the 20 page full colour product.

News links: Mortons Print Ltd website