Having assessed the depressed state of the printing industry, Norwich-based Crowes Complete Print has embarked on a multi-pronged strategy to secure their long-term future and provide additional sources of income and profit. In addition to implementing a company-wide review of purchasing and efficiency, Crowes who offer various Brochure Printing services, have absorbed a small printing business from Wymondham, launched their own decoupage range and acquired a 50% share of a historic paper-craft company.

As Managing Director Simon Tilbrook explains, the printing industry is contracting rapidly so you have to think outside the box just to survive. “There’s no question that the growth of the Internet has seen a significant decline in the demand for conventional printing,” he comments. “As a result, we have had to look at all our internal processes to maximise our efficiency, and that has proved to be a very useful activity for us. But it’s not just about cutting costs – as a board we decided to explore other ways of generating new income and, therefore, growing the business.

Acquiring another existing printing business is one of the more conventional ways of upscaling, but as Simon Tilbrook points out, there aren’t too many printers who would take the bold step of launching their own range of decoupage papers. “Some people might question our sanity, but launching our own decoupage range under the Phoenix Papercraft brand made perfect sense to us. Not only have we effectively diversified into another industry, we have developed a brand which relies on printed materials, all of which we print and finish in-house.”

Perhaps most interesting of all in Crowes’ strategy for growth, though, is its bold purchase of the stock and intellectual property of historic paper-craft company Mamelok, which went into liquidation 12 months ago. As Simon Tilbrook outlines, it’s been a fascinating journey so far. “Mamelok is a very well-established brand, dating back to nineteenth-century Wroclaw in Poland, and is known for its Victorian scrap booking materials, paper masks, dress-up dolls and friezes & garlands. When Mamelok Press went into liquidation at the end of last year, we joined forces with Philip Saich – MD of design and marketing agency Postscript – and his wife Karen to purchase the stock and intellectual property. Since then we have been building Mamelok back up again, and the print work arising from this adventure has been astounding – Mamelok is already one of our largest accounts, and we have very ambitious plans for the future.”

Reflecting on what has been a challenging but rewarding 2010 – and considering the demise of numerous companies offering Printing Services – Simon Tilbrook is looking forward to 2011 with optimism and excitement. “We can’t wait for the new year,” he concludes. “As well as growing our two Papercraft brands, we will continue to refine our working practices and increase our profitability. In a difficult market we are confident of bucking the trend.”

For further information on Crowes Complete Print, visit : www.Crowes.co.uk

Crowes Complete Print

50 Hurricane Way

Norfolk

Norwich

NR6 6JB

UK

Ph: 0870 7775 945

pr@crowes.co.uk