Lewis says that Fox tailors its support to suit clients, but makes sure staff speak to them regularly, which he feels is key to good relationships. Indeed, he says clients will ring up if he doesn’t get them a quote almost immediately, “as they’re used to that level of service.”
Fox could be described as a movable feast. Stanton founded the company in 2001 after 12 years with a large printing company where the turnover exceeded £12m. Fox Print Services started operations at a 350sqm industrial unit in Paddock Wood, Kent and within a year had achieved a turnover of £1m. In March 2005, Fox expanded to occupy a 1,200sqm premises in Tunbridge Wells and by June 2006, turnover had grown to £4.5m.
Initially the machinery tally at Paddock Wood in 2001 comprised a Heidelberg pre-press workflow, CTP, a 6-colour Speedmaster SM74 and ancillary finishing equipment. Then in March 2006 Fox installed a Heidelberg ImageControl colour quality management system and upgraded its workflow CTP equipment. Finally, in May 2006 came the cherry on the cake, an oversize B1 Heidelberg Speedmaster XL105 five-colour press, accompanied by a further B2 press, a five-colour Speedmaster CD74 perfector with coater.
With all this offset kit, you might think a foray into digital was the last thing on the Fox agenda. But Stanton and Lewis don’t sit still. The firm is “99% sure” it is going to add digital to its capabilities, says Stanton, but he wants to make sure they implement it correctly. “We are looking at maximising what we already have,” he remarks. “We are good at service and clients are asking us for digital, but we need to get it right. Digital is a completely different concept for sales.”
But clouds do sometimes threaten the prevailing sunny outlook in Foxland. Both Stanton and Lewis have significant concerns about the current state of the print industry. Lewis feels there are too many firms chasing work, and “there are people running print businesses who have little knowledge about business and will take on a job at any price”. Both Stanton and Lewis feel this is an increasing trend, and it worries them. But Stanton says: “A focus on service is our way of avoiding that trap.”
The cost of paper is also a concern, particularly with the move towards higher proportions of more expensive recycled stocks. Stanton and Lewis are both aggrieved that they are restricted to buying paper from UK paper merchants and say they find paper costs are 25% higher in the UK than in the rest of Europe. “The paper industry needs to be more transparent, otherwise how can we compete in Europe?” asks Stanton.
What is Stanton most proud of? “Still being in business,” he says simply. He describes his job as “a challenge every day”. But with steady growth and a broad spectrum of clients, the company is secure.
Stanton and Lewis point out one final advantage over the competition: their staff really enjoy their work. “There aren’t that many great printing companies around with the right attitude,” says Stanton.
FOX PRINT AT A GLANCE
Established December 2001
Location Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Staff 50
Turnover £6.5m
Sectors Commercial print
Clients Age Concern, Fidelity Investments, Global Asset Management, AXA Investment Managers
Equipment Heidelberg Prinect Printready; Heidelberg Suprasetter CTP; 5-colour Heidelberg XL105; 6-colour Heidelberg SM74; 5-colour Heidelberg CD 74
