BUSINESS / NEWS 12 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk May / June 2023 - Issue 342 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Two specialist businesses, York Bookbinding and McRay Press, have announced a unique collaboration that will seek to keep respective heritage skills thriving for future generations. With the digital world meaning many skills and traditional forms of media are becoming more sought after, the businesses feel now is more important than ever to emphasise the significance of physical products. Both businesses design, protect, and produce items that are both commercially important and help preserve the past, creating portable and timeless products. York Bookbinding, based in Thief Lane in the City of York, offers a range of services including binding of magazines and periodicals, sympathetic book restoration, and slipcase creation. The company started in January 2000 following the closure of York University bindery. Founder Philip Winskill has worked in binding for almost all his working life, gaining lots of experience in binding periodicals, monographs, theses, books, as well as miscellaneous work like presentation bindings and collection boxes. McRay Press designs and prints items like self-published books, leaflets, menus, and business cards. The family business operates from Londesborough Road, Scarborough, and has served the local community since 1994. The print house is run by Mike and Helen Springall who are now working with Winskill, learning about his craft, and collaborating in order to preserve their historical practices and inspire future generations. Having worked together since December, the companies officially became partners in April 2023. Artisan businesses form a “rare collaboration” The partnership has been called a "rare collaboration" that brings two artisan businesses together and seeks to keep heritage skills alive Herbert Walkers awarded a BRCG AA certfication Herbert Walkers delivers projects for a variety of food, confectionary, and drinks brands Specialist in printing and packaging, Herbert Walkers, has been awarded a British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS) AA certification. The rating is the highest possible ranking for food safety and compliance which now complements the company’s existing accreditations like Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA), ISO 9001, and ISO 14001. Mike Lammas, managing director of Herbert Walkers, says: “Certification is very important to us at Herbert Walkers because it not only gives our customers complete peace of mind that we are consistently meeting high standards, but the audit process enables us to monitor our own performance and identify any opportunities for improvement.” BRCGS certification is employed at over 22,000 sites in over 130 countries and is accepted by a variety of retailers, restaurants, and manufacturers. Developed with input from the industry, the accreditation provides a framework for food safety and operational best practices. By David Osgar A social enterprise established by Commercial, a business services group that provides clients with the likes of office supplies, technology, and print management services, has been awarded B Corp status. The enterprise known as Commercial Foundation was established to give a second chance to young adults aged 16 to 25 who had previous barriers to finding work or education. Young adults will undertake print work including digital and wide-format printing, branded and promotional merchandise, as well as office supplies, all following a stringent quality process. The Foundation’s latest achievement is being awarded B Corp certification by B Lab UK, a certification company that creates standards, policies, and tools for businesses. Commercial Foundation celebrates B Corp status Cloud-based labelling and artwork management solutions company, Loftware, has secured investment from Accel-KKR, a global technology investment firm. Accel-KKR will join current investor Riverside Partners, which invested in July 2014 and has seen Loftware grow through its innovations, global expansion, and three strategic acquisitions. Chief executive officer and president of Loftware, Robert O’Connor, says: “Riverside Partners has been an invaluable advisor as we pursued growth in the past several years, and we are delighted that it will remain a significant investor in our business. “Now backed by not just one but two leading technology investors, we are poised to do even more for our customers, partners, and employees as we accelerate our global growth plans.” Loftware has been named by Corporate LiveWire as its “Labeling Solutions Provider of the Year” [L to R] Harry Styman, Adam Miller, Simone Hindmarch, Jake McGregor, and Emily Jewell Loftware secures growth investment from Accel-KKR Print supplier Where the Trade Buys (WTTB) has debuted its range of Coronation-themed prints and merchandise. The Coronation of King Charles III will take place on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, with the UK celebrating a national bank holiday on Monday, May 8th, 2023. This historic event will undoubtedly lead to a myriad of royal-themed packaging and prints and WTTB is one of the first to unveil its range including merchandise like cake boxes, hand clappers, posters, coasters, and gift tags. The company is even offering printed invitations and a King Charles cardboard cut-out that can take centre place at any Coronation street party, alongside traditional products like banners, badges, and framed prints. WTTB unveils royal range WTTB says it can offer its bespoke services for anyone looking to enhance their party
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