Horton Media is buying Business Media Press (BMP), a rival printing business in South Auckland, for an undisclosed sum and some job losses will result.

The purchase combines Auckland's two independent community newspaper printers, providing financial security for as many as 100 independent publishers, said Horton Media chief executive Matthew Horton.

It was a sensible move as community newspapers have been affected by a downturn in advertising.

Mr Horton said BMP currently operated a day shift and a night shift and only a night shift would be operated in future.

BMP, owned by Brian and Reay Neben, had 22 staff and seven positions would be available in future, Mr Horton said.

"We will continue to operate BMP as a separate plant and add the extra management expertise we're able to provide from our Auckland and Brisbane sites," Mr Horton said.

The Horton family are former owners of The New Zealand Herald newspaper. Mr Horton wholly owns Horton Media, his father Michael Horton is chairman.

Mr Horton set up a printing business in 1997 with a Goss Community press and has about doubled the size of that press in the last 10 years. He has also purchased a printing business in Australia.

BMP is a few kilometres down the road from Horton Media in East Tamaki.

The existing Horton Media press can print 56 page newspapers and the BMP press can print about 64 pages.

BMP director Reay Neben said the sale came at a good time for the Nebens who would now be able to focus on their publishing interests.

The Nebens will continue to be part owners of Times Newspapers Ltd, which is also part owned by Fairfax Media.

BMP prints newspapers for Times Newspapers, and titles include The Howick and Pakuranga Times and The Howick and Botany Times.

"We will continue to print all the newspapers for Times Newspapers Ltd," said Mr Horton.