Harris started his career at Senator Print Finishers, aged 16.

Some years later, while working at a Leicester-based printer, he came up with the idea for a new type of creasing device during his lunch breaks.

Harris always had an inventive mind and, convinced about the worth of his idea, borrowed £2,000 from his sister and approached local engineers to help bring it to fruition.

Aged 36, 24 years ago he set up Tech-ni-Fold. In the early days of the business Printweek ran a series of news articles about his Tri-Creaser invention and helped raise awareness about the potential benefits of the product.

“You helped us get started in those early days,” Harris said.

He described the past 24 years as “amazing”.

“I feel it’s the right time for me; there comes a time to focus on other things.”

His wife Sue also worked at the firm, with the duo stepping back to allow daughter Sophie and son Jack to take up the reins.

“We’ve retired together. We’ve done it as a team,” he explained.

“We’ve revamped and refreshed everything over the past couple of years and that will help to kick-start it for Jack and Sophie,” Harris added.

“They’ve got smart plans and are running it really well. I’m really proud and they have hit the ground running – turnover is up 20% in the last couple of months.

“I’m very proud of Tech-ni-Fold; it’s made an impression on a lot of people.”

The CreaseStream business will be amalgamated with Tech-ni-Fold as part of the handover process. The businesses employ nine people directly and have sales of around £2m.

Harris said his retirement plans included a fitness programme under the watchful eye of his personal trainer, and also for him and Sue having more time to spend with their four grandchildren under the age of four.

He also said he hoped to be able to share his experiences and top tips with other inventors and entrepreneurs.

Harris is also the author of two books, one about the Tech-ni-Fold story, and the other about bullying and how to overcome it.

He said that his mind was still as inventive as ever, and quipped: “I will still be around to help. And I’ve still got the keys so there’s always Saturdays and Sundays!”

Tech-ni-Fold featured in Printweek’s Best of British feature in 2019.