Print Solutions
Printing industry operations have again been recognised by the British Association for Print and Communications (BAPC) awards for excellence in print, sponsored this year by Ricoh.
Print4UK collected the BAPC ‘Business of the Year’ award. ‘Supplier of the Year’ went to TheMagicTouch and ‘Environmental Printer of the Year’ to Severnprint. But the surprise award of the event was the honorary BAPC life membership presented to Simon Tabelin, It Has To Be Brilliant managing director.
‘This is such an unexpected honour,’ stated Simon. ‘I came here thinking that I was representing BAPC Council. I am delighted at receiving such wonderful recognition.’
Sidney Bobb, BAPC chairman who presented the award, said: ‘We wanted to recognise Simon for all the work he does on behalf of the BAPC. He devotes time and energy in helping other members and is happy to share his good and bad experiences with others. He is always available to give a helping hand and is happy working within the community and highlighting the benefits in working within this industry.’
Print4UK finally won the title of BAPC Business of the Year after being shortlisted in 2015 and 2016. It was founded in 2008 by Adrian Ford and Chris Brady. The former production and pre-press directors respectively at a litho company, joined forces to create a digital print business that addressed the market trend for smaller run lengths.
Now in its tenth year, Print4UK is one of London’s leading digital print companies. Its client base has grown from a dozen in the first year to almost one hundred and includes top brands from high street banks, restaurants and museums to food and drink companies.
In choosing Print4UK the judges looked at the financial aspect of the company, its marketing activities and through secret shoppers gauged how it dealt with customers.
Print4UK’s Adrian Ford and Chris Brady collected the award. Adrian said, ‘We are honoured to receive this award. We believe our ‘Partners in Print’ ethos was pivotal in this achievement. It provides clients with the feeling of having their own in-house experts on hand to oversee all of their requirements. One has even said ‘You deliver pain free print’.’
TheMagicTouch was named Best Supplier. The operation has been supplying peripheral equipment and goods to the industry more than 25 years. Jim Nicol collected the award with his sister Alison Nicol.
Severnprint was chosen as Environmental Printer of the Year – the award category sponsored by Two Sides – thanks to its reputation of being very environmentally aware and its solid sustainable marketing credentials. Director David Pealing received the award on behalf of the company.
Sidney commented, ‘This year was another fantastic demonstration of the expertise and industry excellence that exists. Just as in every year our independent panel of judges had difficult choices to make. It is clear what stood out for the judges for Print4UK was its commitment to customer relationships. Too often businesses can lose sight of this all-important element of the business. Print4UK clearly values its message of cherish your customers to grow your business.’
Chas Moloney, Ricoh UK and Ireland marketing director, said: ‘It is an honour to sponsor such an amazing event that acknowledges so many positive aspects of the industry. It is fantastic that some of the great work being undertaken by operations, day in day, out is recognised with these prestigious accolades.’
The other shortlisted companies were N2 Group, Precision Printing, All Trade Printers, Xpress Image Communications, The Plastic Card Company, Tharsten Ltd, Renz UK Ltd, Duplo International, Morgana and Ricoh.
