White joined Max Harvey, the founder of Chase Web Offset, in the early 1980s.

The St Austell-based firm expanded with a further plant in Plymouth, and White became manufacturing director for both plants.

The business subsequently became part of Bob Gavron’s fast-growing St Ives group.

Former colleague Bob Parker said White had played a key role as the market for web offset developed.

“He was instrumental in progressing web offset in the late 1990s to a new level, creating confidence in the industry that short run work could be profitable on the normally long run high speed presses,” Parker said.

“I will miss him as a friend, colleague, mentor, fellow director and real character of the print Industry.”

White co-ordinated manufacturing over the group’s plants at Severn Valley Press, Riverside Press, Andover and at the purpose-built St Ives factory in Peterborough.

In 1992 Max Harvey teamed up with Mike Hunter and Nick Dixon to acquire Leicester-based Colorgraphic, and White became director and head of manufacturing operations at the DM and special products business.

“Over his 40-plus years in the industry his knowledge and leadership were second to none. At the age of 82 print has lost a true printer,” Parker added.