Starting his printing business at 19 years old, he is now married with four children, all of whom have helped out with the company.

A keen football fan and player, Alex has given his insights to his business and the print-world in general.

Q. What’s having the greatest impact on your business at the moment?

It has to be the increasing client base and volumes of work that is bringing. More people are coming to us to meet their printing needs.

Q. Where do you see the greatest wide format opportunities?

For us, it is in the growth within our client base and beyond. We want to add value with our experience and quality to the products our customers buy.

Q. What would make your day-to-day operations easier?

More automation would make our working days run smoother. It would help go a long way in feeding and stacking printers and cutters.

Q. What is your favourite bit of kit?

It would depend on the area of business you are talking about. We run in three: small format, large format and finishing.

For small format I really like all of our four Xerox presses. The quality is excellent but the 4100 is the best though.

From the large format, we have a lot of Mimaki machines and have had for numerous years. I particularly like the UJVC300 which is perfect for window graphics.

All the cutters are fantastic machines but the Kongsberg X Edge gets the nod for being so versatile and easy to use.

Q. What’s been the best bit of business advice you’ve been given?

There has been a lot but I would probably narrow it down to any one of these phrases and beliefs:

  • Hard work never hurt anyone.
  • Just as in life, treat people fairly and as you would want to be treated in return.
  • Try to keep a work/ lifestyle balance.
  • Never compromise on quality.

Q. What are most proud of achieving?

My time with this company. I started Claimbeat T/A Print On as a fresh faced 19-year-old with my late mother – we have methodically and steadily grown to a leading digital POS company with a fantastic reputation.

Q. Where do you see the business going in the next five to 10 years?

Growing steadily and evolving where the market takes us to. We’d like to work more directly with end clients to help add value.

Q. How long have you been in the industry? What attracted you to it?

30 years now. My parents had a photocopier dealership so that was the connection and now we started as a copyshop. I’ve always been around it and loved digital print and it’s now improved beyond all recognition.

Q. What in your mind is the biggest challenge the industry is facing?

The danger of digital screens replacing POS – it seems unlikely to be soon, because of costs but if I had to say one thing.

Q. What has been the key to your businesses 30-year success?

Work hard. Treat clients, suppliers and staff with total respect.

Keep your eyes on the industry and always update in the correct machinery.

Q. You made your largest machinery purchase to date recently when buying the new swissQprint Impala, do you see any future investments with a similar impact in the near future?

Yes, we are beginning to look at automation where possible – in particular on the cutting side.

Robots and AI are somethings we are keeping our eye on.

Q. What was your first impressions of your new equipment and how has it faired in comparison?

When I saw the printer at swissQprint’s offices I thought it was absolutely superb. It is a top-quality piece of hardware. Rapid, easy to use and supremely consistent!