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Writing was on the wall, but they're ready and Able again [Herald, The (Plymouth, England)](Herald, The (Plymouth, England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) A SALTASH-based printing company is celebrating 10 years in business - despite suffering two major setbacks. Able Design and Print was created a decade ago when Andrew Butcher bought out Able Printing. Mr Butcher had worked for other companies in Plymouth, and took printing from Kenroy Thompson, where he was a director. The company now occupies a 1,200 sq ft premises and also employs Mr Butcher's son Adam, aged 33, and veteran printer John Williams, aged 72. But their journey hasn't been all plain sailing. Mr Butcher said: "We took a big hit four years ago. "We were going to take over another company, but they pulled out with 24 hours to go. "Then we bought new equipment but three months later lost three major contracts." But the firm kept going and has just added an online print site called Printminor to its list of services. Mr Butcher said: "I did my apprenticeship as a bookbinder with Plymouth City Council in 1968. "There have been huge changes in the past 10 years, with technology meaning a lot of people now do things at home." One of Able's biggest customers is a procurement company in Manchester, and among its more unusual services are booklet printing, letter press, cutting and creasing. Mr Butcher said having a small staff made it difficult to find time to get out and visit customers or to take holidays, and said he had talked to local colleges about taking on an apprentice with a view to employing them after four years. He said big firms could afford to advertise, but Able's advantage was meeting customers face-to-face to discuss their exact requirements. His son Adam, previously in retail, has worked with him for 10 years and has learned all aspects of the business. He plans to take over the firm when his father retires. Adam Butcher said: "Dad is more oldschool, while I handle the internet and graphics." He added: "Our Printmove service has really taken off, and the advantages are that the customer supplies the file and pays up front; we can also do the artwork if required." (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |