Category: Talking Point

On 10 October Fespa UK is hosting the conference ‘The Future of Print i4.0’ at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry. But who will be there, and should you be? Image Reports’ own Widthwise Survey – conducted among 151 of the UK and Ireland’s large-format PSPs at the start of this year – showed that only 5 of them had invested in i4.0 technology over the last 12 months. Those who hadn’t were asked if they would be doing so in 2018. The answer? A big fat 0. So, what’s going on? I spoke with Fespa UK Association’s Peter Kiddell for his take.

By Lesley Simpson

Earlier this year Huddersfield-based Leach was acquired by French-owned Chargeurs, a materials manufacturing and services group based in 34 countries across five continents and operating in four segments – temporary surface protection, garment interlinings, technical substrates and combed wool. So how’s that going to impact Leach as the Brexit deadline looms? I asked Richard Leach who, as head of what was a family firm, was responsible for finding the new owner.

By Lesley Simpson

It Has To Be Brilliant calls itself
a ‘pioneering cross-media
production agency’ that does
everything from web design,
digital campaigns, bespoke
photography, illustration and
graphic design through to print
and installation of ‘creative
environments and exhibitions’ as
well as packaging, direct mail,
promotional goods.., oh, and
now it sells cakes…and houses
and… other stuff. Sounds like
diversification gone mad? I put
that exact question directly to
founder and MD Simon Tabelin.

By Lesley Simpson

News of an MBO at North-East-based Simpsons Group came in February. The move saw well-known chairman Mark Simpson and his shareholding brother and sister exit the business formed in 1972 by Bill Simpson. Bill McNally (MD) and John Quinn (finance director) have stayed on to “lead the new management team through a period of transition” but in August the new management team takes over. So how will an MBO affect what was a family business? I asked new commercial director Mark Jerrard.

By Lesley Simpson

The first Pure Digital event will take place in Amsterdam in April. Organised by former Fespa men and InPrint founders Frazer Chesterman and Marcus Timson of FM Brooks, it aims to ‘excite the European creative industry with truly innovative digitally printed applications.’ Great idea, but will it work, and should you be involved? Here’s what Chesterman had to say…

By Lesley Simpson