Print Solutions
Pureprint Group has appointed Richard Smith as account director. He is formerly group sales director of SBS Print Group.
Richard entered the printing industry over 20 years ago starting out at Leicester College of Printing, before becoming an apprentice and then a press minder in the 2000s. He then became salesperson and finally sales director in 2013 at Streamline Press. The business became SBS Print Group after buying John Baxter and Sons and Spectrum Printing Services, as well as taking on many sales staff from local Taylor Bloxham. Sadly, the business went into administration in October 2022 due to the devastation left by the pandemic as well as other factors.
Richard commented, ‘I am really happy that I have joined Pureprint Group – the service and technology on offer to our customers is second to none. I am used to the high quality and efficiency of the modern ‘push to stop’ Heidelberg B1 presses, but having five state of the art HP Indigo presses, three of which are B2 on site to complement the offering gives huge scope for customers. Print on-demand, mailing and point of sale make Pureprint Group a complete print partner for any customer – there are very few things we have to say no to, which is a great position to be in as a salesperson wanting to say ‘yes’.’
He continued, ‘For years I have admired Pureprint Group as forward thinking – albeit it was a competitor. The environment is key to me, and Pureprint Group has been carbon neutral for 20 years and is still leading the printing trade as an environmental pioneer. Being a father to five boys, I am reminded on a daily basis how important climate change is for their future. Being carbon neutral and reducing our impact on the environment is key to any sustainable business. The Pureprint team is friendly and truly nurtures our clients. Everyone I have met in the business has a ‘customer first’ attitude, it is great to be a part of it.’
Mark Handford, CEO of Pureprint Group, stated: ‘I am delighted that Richard has agreed to join us. He brings with him huge experience, but also the desire to introduce and engage clients with the broad product and service offering that Pureprint Group now offers.’
