York company IDs an eco-friendly counterpart for acquisition

Just two months after expanding into the UK, cards-x has acquired Preston based Evohold, which is the world’s most eco-friendly manufacturer of ID card holders.

cards-x is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of security products, ID cards, and the specialist print equipment used to create them. The German based company opened a new base in the UK in October, at Malton near York, and plans to create 10 new jobs over the coming year.

Evohold manufactures more than 6 million ID card holders every year in the UK that are exported globally. The company’s most popular product is 100% recyclable, and it also produces antimicrobial and compostable badge holders.

Evolhold was founded in Preston in 2016 by Max Fretwell and operated as a family business. The family now plans to pursue a new business venture. Evohold’s machinery and manufacturing centre will now be relocated to cards-x’s Malton distribution and manufacturing facility.

cards-x sells 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. In addition, cards-x provides fully managed accreditation services and guest management solutions at venues and events throughout the world.

The UK division of cards-x is headed up by managing director, Andy Reeves. He said: “Evohold is a leading name in the production of ID card holders and complements the products we supply at cards-x, which made this acquisition a perfect fit and gives us another range of first-class products that we can offer customers.

“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.”

Max Fretwell added: “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.”