The business, which turned 125 on 15 February, was originally based in the town centre until 1920, since when it has resided in the Cheadle Heath suburb of the town.
Sales and marketing director Jon Sherlock said: “The visit went great. Ann Coffey was extremely interested and asked lots of good questions.
“She told us that, in the current day and age, to have a company that is thriving, profitable, investing and recruiting is great news for the North West. She has been here before around 10 or 15 years ago and commented that she recognised the investments that we’ve made since.”
Deanprint offers a wide range of print and finishing services and produces items including ringbinders, slipcases, boxes and folders for the education sector, government bodies and agencies as well as general commercial customers and trade printers.
The business was established by Joseph Dean, who set up a travel agency in Stockport called Dean & Dawson in 1871. After recognising the potential of being able to produce his own brochures for the travel company, Dean bought a printing press in 1890 and began Deanprint.
The printing business grew steadily and moved into a 4,645sqm factory in 1920, which it still operates from.
The three current directors, managing director David Thurrold, operations director Kevin Lee and Sherlock led a management buyout in 2011 and since then the company has invested heavily in more than a dozen machines and in new systems.
At its peak the business had over 120 employees and a sales office in London. It currently has 45 members of staff and operates more than 110 printing and finishing machines, including Heidelberg litho and Konica Minolta digital devices.
The firm recently invested in a bespoke Smyth Magnum 75 large-format book sewing machine to further increase its production capacity.
“125 years is an incredible achievement for a company that has always retained the ‘family’ feel that was instilled during the first 70 years when three generations of Deans ran the business,” said Sherlock.
“We are very proud to be the present custodians of this company and are always conscious of the heritage and integrity that made Deanprint what it is today.”
