What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
For the cost of LED UV inks to go down! And of course peace and goodwill to all! I don’t mind in which order!
What trend (business or technology) do you think 2016 will be remembered for?
The emergence of LED UV printing in the UK.
What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in 2017 and why?
It really depends on what market you are in. For us it will be growing stronger relationships with new and existing clients and demonstrating better ways to use direct mail, for better response rates for our clients and stable profitable business for us.
What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in 2017 and why?
The rising cost of paper and consumables and the now lack of competition in these sectors for printers to shop around for a better deal. Printers should also learn from this and not be so afraid to increase the value of a job instead of just lowering prices without any thought to cost or their continuing existence. Cheap doesn’t mean good.
What’s the one thing that the industry should do more of, or do better, in 2017?
Certainly as a DM printer, getting the message across that print is better for the environment than the public seem to have been brainwashed into thinking!
What was your biggest disappointment in 2016?
The doom and gloom mongers following Brexit. Another excuse for people to say why things are not so good. Shut up and get on with it!
What was your highlight of 2016?
Going to Japan in January for our new Sakurai LED press demo. An amazing place to visit and lovely people. I am already looking forward to taking my family to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
What are your hopes for 2017?
A continued resurgence of direct mail!
What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
A winner never quits and a quitter never wins. My late father wrote it in big letters on the inside of his garden shed, my first ever printing premises!
What was the most important thing that you learnt in 2016?
That LED UV inks cost a lot more than conventional!
What if anything will you do differently in 2017?
Take a longer holiday!
What’s your favourite Christmas cracker joke?
Q: What would Elvis Presley be doing if he was alive today?
A: Trying to get out of his coffin! (Not really a Christmas cracker joke but the older brother of one of my best mates came up with it 30 years ago. He has finally got it in print!)
What was the best Christmas present you ever received?
Marrying my wife just before Christmas 10 years ago!
Are you making any New Year's resolutions? If so, what?
No. My wife is a gym instructor so I can't even use the get fit one, I don’t get a choice!
