What does the firm do?
Forward Press handles short-run digital book printing and publishing; about 90% of print jobs are for its publishing work.
The firm also claims to be the largest publisher of new poetry in the world

Where is it?
Peterborough

Who are the brains behind the outfit?
Ian Walton is the company’s founder, Rachael Radford is managing director and Katie Coles is operations director

How many staff?
86

What’s the turnover and profit?
In 2007, it turned over £3.3m, with £400,000 net profit

How much has it grown?
Since 2006, it has increased its turnover by over £1m and employed 10 more staff. The firm currently runs three Kodak Nexpress 2100 printers and two Océ 6250 machines. It has also invested in coil and wire-o binding. Other finishing kit recently installed includes a KB 2000 perfect binder, a DocuFold folder and an Uchida collator from Morgana

What might the future hold?
The firm aims to raise its turnover to £8m over the next three years. It currently has another Kodak Nexpress 2100 and an Océ 6250 on order and awaiting installation