July 06

Philip Chadwick and Simon Nias find that consolidation should relief for those who survive

The packaging industry has been having a tough time of late. The difficulties faced by Fine Colour Packaging (FCP) are typical of the widespread consolidation in the sector.

Last week, FCP arm Fine Colour Whitham joined the Primepac and Tecnolabel divisions in administration.

“It was inevitable,” says BPIF Cartons president John Monks. “Whitham’s business was in the middle ground - confectionary, cosmetics and sandwich packs. It was not particularly specialised”.

May 2006

On the evening of the 23rd May and the morning of the 24th May members of the British Roll Label association met in Nottingham, but this was no ordinary meeting as the normal business of the meeting was supplemented by the election of a new chairman. Trevor Smith, Managing Director of Amberley Adhesive Labels Ltd of Blandford Forum, was unanimously elected to replace Ian Wright of Harlands of Hull who had to resign due to his wider responsibilities with the Boxes Group.

(www.britishprint.com)

Jan/Mar 2006

Two and a half years ago, Dorset based Amberley Labels took a leap of faith. It invested in an HP Indigo ws-4000. Today, Business Manager Gary Fitch believes the decision has helped it get closer to its customers, create some eye catching pieces of print and also allows it to differentiate itself from competitors.

Published in Packaging Scotland Jan / Mar 2006, page 20.

Jan 06

Label Printer, Gary Fitch Business Manager, Amberley

“I think this is a classic poacher turned gamekeeper scenario. Personally, I think printers turned buyers can be beneficial. Printers will generally know the limitations of each of the printing companies and by working with their chosen supplier will come up with better solutions. They will also know what ’ skills and strengths each printer can provide based on their working knowledge of the printing industry, generally this will allow them to look at who can provide the best results when buying”.

Nov 2005

With household names as clients, Amberley aims to boost its business even further, says Philip Chadwick

Two and a half years ago, Dorset based Amberley Labels took a leap of faith. It invested in an HP Indigo ws-4000. Today the label printer believes the decision has helped it get closer to its customers, create some eye catching pieces of print and also allows it to differentiate itself in what is a competitive market.

“The market is very fragile”, explains business manager Gary Fitch. “The retail sector is also fragile, but we have to stay focussed. It’s our strategy to lead, not follow”.

Oct 2005

Embedding a new culture in a long-established business is hard, even when there’s no real pushback. Three years after his MBO at Amberley Labels of Blandford, Dorset, Trevor Smith talks to John O’Hanlon in the very week the company goes lean

Amberley Labels was founded 25 years ago by Chris Strong, who installed a single machine in his garage and then grew his creation like a true entrepreneur.

Trevor Smith has been with the company over an 18 year period, latterly as works manager, and in 2002 he led a team of four in a management buyout (MBO) funded by the company’s existing banker and, unusually, by his former employer, who continues to take a benign interest. In a sense this was the very model of transition from a company led from the top to a business run on consensus.

Oct 2005

Dorset based Amberley Adhesives has installed an HP ws4050 to become the first UK printer to take on a second HP digital press.

The firm became the first UK printer to install the reel-to-reel ws4000 digital press over two years ago and the latest addition incorporates seven-colours.
“Digital has enabled us to develop and enhance”, said Amberley Adhesives Business Manager Gary Fitch.

Published in PrintWeek 13th October 2005
www.printweek.com

July 2003

Amberley Adhesive Labels in Dorset has become the first UK printer to install the HP Indigo ws4000 six-colour reel-to-reel digital press.

The decision to purchase following a site visit by the UK printers to Adesa Labels in France last November. Amberley specialises in the toiletries and cosmetics sector, numbering Boots, Debenhams and Estee Lauder as customers.

Published in PrintWeek 17th July 2003, Story by Des King.
www.printweek.com