Stuart Clayton joined Cuttingedge 22 years ago - in 1996 - to learn die-cutting before rising to become a production manager in the early noughties. Last month the company, based in Leeds, gave Clayton, now aged 39, a directorship.
The 14-staff trade POS converter generates sales of £2.8m through services including cutting, die-cutting, print mounting and film lamination.
Cuttingedge chief executive Anthony Cockcroft said: “When I bought the company in 2003 I realised immediately that Stuart had a lot to offer. I created more opportunities, all of which he grasped.
“This business has more than quadrupled in turnover since I've been here so he has had to take on all the responsibilities of a fast-expanding business.”
Cockcroft said he wanted to grow Cuttingedge organically to a £3m-turnover company next year by careful investment in equipment.
“It's a tough time with a lot of uncertainty around POS, so we want to maintain what we do well. We are looking to buy another die-cutting machine.”
Cuttingedge is part of a bigger group of companies owned by Cockcroft, which also include litho printer GKD Print - which he bought out of administration in 2016 - and Displaypak, both in Hull, Signs2All in Leeds and presentation packager Crownfast.
Wayne Wilcock, former production manager at Kolorcraft, became a director at Crownfast two months ago to replace Stephen Hoyle who retired as operations director, also in February.
