How do you feel your company demonstrates the values laid out in your mission statement?
We always ensure that our print meets high standards by using the best materials, and the latest print equipment, ensuring we train our colleagues to the highest level, regularly quality check and seek customer feedback to maintain product and service excellence.
From a green perspective, none of our waste goes to landfill, all paper waste is recycled, machine parts and ink tins are always sent for recycling and we offset any carbon by supporting the woodland trust and the carbon capture schemes taking a fee on all the material we purchase and put it towards reforestation in the UK. We only use FSC accredited papers so we can guarantee the materials are ethically sourced and manufactured.
Of course, there is always room for improvement and we strive for this daily. The mission statement is a moving target as the market trends move, we adapt with them. The key targets are always customer experience, quality and sustainability.
How do you differentiate your company from competitors?
Our differentiation from competitors is straightforward: we genuinely care. We have a deep passion for print and are committed to ensuring that your investment yields a tangible return. Our objective is to transform your interactions with us into an enriching experience rather than merely a transaction.
While some projects may present more challenges than others, we are dedicated to providing expert advice and sharing the benefit of our extensive experience and heritage. We take immense pride in every order that leaves our premises, and we are thrilled to receive outstanding feedback from our customers who appreciate the entire process.
We are also mindful of the materials we utilise, employing the finest print technology, which we regularly update to guarantee that the quality of our work remains unparalleled. Additionally, we take great care in the packaging of your orders, ensuring that every detail is attended to.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Prioritise Customer Relationships! A great mentor once said that building strong relationships with clients is more valuable than any marketing strategy. By understanding their needs and providing exceptional service, we can foster loyalty and long-term partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
What is your vision for the company’s future?
Company expansion, always, in all ways! My vision for the company’s future is centred on sustained expansion across all dimensions of print. I aim for us to consistently achieve robust growth, broaden our customer base, recruit talented individuals and maintain our position as a significant player within our industry.
What are the biggest challenges facing the company, and how do you plan to address them?
While we have been fortunate to experience substantial growth year on year, our most significant challenge remains the recruitment of skilled professionals within our industry. The impact of Covid has resulted in the departure of many talented individuals from the industry, highlighting the pressing need for skilled personnel in the print sector. To address this challenge, our plan for this year includes the introduction of apprenticeship schemes and a focus on internal training. We have successfully implemented this approach on three occasions, resulting in the development of highly valued and skilled team members.
Where do you see digital innovation playing a role in the company’s future?
As businesses increasingly transition towards digital solutions, we are witnessing a slight global decline in traditional print demand. However, this decline is offset by the
unfortunate reduction in the number of print companies across the country, which means there remains ample work for those in the industry.
To adapt to the growing trend of short-run printing, we have enhanced our digital press department with HP Indigo and Xerox digital presses, enabling us to manage run lengths ranging from a single copy to tens of thousands. This capability allows for personalisation and exceptionally fast turnaround times delivering significant benefits to our clients.
Furthermore, digital innovation complements our operations as a print company. By leveraging modern AI technologies, we can integrate these advancements into our workflows, facilitating efficient one-touch fixes for client artwork, rapid imposition of jobs on press, and, in some cases, automated checks on client files. This enables us to provide proofs to our customers more quickly than ever before, enhancing their overall experience.
What do you feel is the biggest change from when the company was created?
That is a thought-provoking question. Our industry has undergone significant changes since the company’s inception, and the most notable transformation can be summed up in one word: technology.
I vividly recall watching my grandfather, Peter, painstakingly assemble chases of text for letterpress printing in those early days. The process was laborious, often involving hours of setting type in reverse order, only for it to come apart when he lifted the chase an experience that would have amused those familiar with ‘You’ve Been Framed’ . I can assure you; the air was filled with expletives that afternoon!!
Despite those challenges, my passion for print has only grown stronger, and I remain committed to inspiring more young people to explore opportunities within this fantastic industry.
Take a look at the brand-new Carly Press website here = https://www.carlypress.co.uk/