Why Following the merger of Unite’s IT & communications membership with that of the Graphical Paper & Media in January this year, Tonks is the sole national officer for the 50,000 strong GPMITC wing of the union, around 85% of whom work in the print, paper and packaging sectors. While he doesn’t come from a print background, Tonks is well versed in the challenges facing the manufacturing sector. He’s proud to be Unite’s one and only Port Vale fan, having been a long-suffering fan all his life. “In fact that might be why he doesn’t take any crap from anybody, members or employers,” says one colleague.
Why SMP Group is one of the leading companies in the POS and outdoor markets with a lineage all the way back to 1928. Slade has been managing director for 10 years, and has been with the company for 25 years. He remains as ambitious as ever and this shows in the developments of the past 12 months, which included the company becoming sole supplier for WH Smith and it establishing SMP Dimension, an exhibition stand specialist service. Slade once had trials with Chelsea as a goalkeeper where he picked up the nickname ‘Brad the Cat’. His real passion is ‘popular’ music… he is an avid Belinda Carlisle fan.
Why Before establishing London-based Park in 1991, chief executive Mason and managing director Alison Branch already had 24 years’ experience in the print industry. This experience has certainly been put to good use at Park, renowned principally, but not only, for its impressive approach to sustainable production. Mason is apparently a very hands-on leader, with time to assist anyone in the business, whether it be someone in senior sales or the factory cleaner. His attention to detail and mentoring style are renowned. In rare moments of downtime Mason will either be sailing or on his beloved motorbike.
Why Serial entrepreneur Rafferty launched his first print business producing flyers while studying at Sheffield University. Before long he was spending more time producing flyers than essays, so was thrown off the course. The move ultimately proved to be a godsend as he went on to launch Flyerzone and Printing.com, now part of the £20m-plus parent firm Grafenia. Widely respected for his pioneering spirit, which shows no sign of letting up, Rafferty soft launched pan-European buying and selling portal Marqetspace at Ipex. He also unveiled the first Nettl studio in Birmingham in September.
Why It’s been a relatively quiet year for Precision Printing and managing director Peeling. Investment has been focused on finishing with the addition of a Scodix digital effects press and a range of new binding equipment. Peeling has a reputation for knowing what he wants and putting the right people in place to make it happen, and, if necessary, rolling up his sleeves and getting hands-on too. He’s known as a fast thinker who also loves fast cars, attending regular track days to fulfil his need for speed. He loves to win too, but wouldn’t admit to that. Expect more noise next year.
Why With managing director Jones having more than 35 years’ experience, and being the fourth generation to head this family business, it’s no surprise that Stephens & George is still going great guns. Jones’ key focuses are constant reinvestment, financial stability and sustainability. Evidence of the latter includes the firm’s recent conversion to processless plates. Jones also supports various sporting and community-focused groups, most notably founding the Stephens & George Centenary Charitable Trust aimed at increasing literacy levels within Merthyr Tydfil and the surrounding valleys.
Why Welch says the key to success is listening to customers and investment. At GI Solutions 21st birthday party in March the company revealed that of £25m invested during the life of the business, £5m was in the past 12 months as it embarked on plans to boost its current £37m turnover to £50m by 2017. If he does listen as hard as he spends, then there’s been a lot of input from clients to help hone how to spend that cash. As attentive to his team as his clients “Robin is great motivator and visionary and encourages staff to succeed on their own behalf as well as for the company,” says one colleague.
Why His passion for print explains why the BAPC chairman is one of the best-known and liked figures in print. “his knowledge is legendary but it’s his relationship with influencers in the industry that make him stand out,” A colleague says.
Why ImageData Group (IDG) chairman Birkin splashed the cash earlier this year on a Komori Lithrone GL540 with H-UV curing. The investment, IDG’s first move into UV litho, was typical of Birkin’s approach, according to a colleague who says he “always thinks outside the box and particularly enjoys capital investments and reinvesting his profit”. Described as being “firm but fair”, he “always rewards people when rewards are due”. Out of the office he enjoys travel and spending time with family, but his true love is gardening. “His garden is always immaculate, like his press rooms,” says the colleague.
Why Chief executive Handford has continued to steer the £38m-plus turnover firm in the right direction, maintaining its growth rate of around 20% a year. In the past 12 months the business became the first UK printer to install a second HP Indigo 10000 and also boosted its litho ops with a fifth Heidelberg XL 105. The quality-driven company has been shortlisted for eight categories in this year’s PrintWeek Awards following a triple win last year. “Good fun and sociable, his drive and energy sets the style for the whole business,” says one colleague of the lifelong Brighton & Hove Albion fan.
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