| Ancient House Press
was established in 1845 as a book-selling and printing business
in the centre of Ipswich in a local historic landmark building
known as The Ancient House. After a period of time the book-selling
and printing businesses were separated and the latter moved
to larger premises in the town and became the root of the
existing company today. It remained there until 1985 when,
due to expansion, the company moved to its existing site on
the Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate.
The Company was started by Mr. Frederick Pawsey, a well-known
local figure in printing circles. He sold the business in
1897 to the Harrison family, who retained ownership until
1971 when the present owners took over. During the 70’s
and 80’s Ancient House Press established a very good
reputation as a quality sheet-fed printer, whose customers
include many local, national and international companies,
as well as local authorities, charities and central government
departments.
In 1988 a reprographic plate-making company was bought into
the Group to complement the already extensive in-house facilities.
In addition the Company established itself in new markets
by the introduction of a heat-set mini web printing press.
Ancient House Press continued to be at the forefront of technology
with a further investment of £250,000 in the pre-press
area, by purchasing a Galileo B1 Violet Diode Plate-setter.
This enables us to go directly from computer to plate. In
July 2001 the Company further added to its extensive range
of state-of-the-art finishing equipment by purchasing a Hunkeler
mailing line. This gives a wide variety of product options
in the area of creative direct mail. In 2002 the company purchased
a second CTP system and a KBA 10-colour Rapida press with
reel sheeter. 2004 saw a further significant investment in
printing technology with the installation of a Komori 16pp
5-unit web press, the largest single investment in the Company’s
history. It enables the Company to provide a greater range
of printed products at a faster rate including the option
of in-line finishing. The Komori’s JDF compliant K Station
is a world leader in print technology and has set new standards
for quality and efficiency. In 2005 further JDF automation
of the plant took place with the introduction of a Muller
Martini Prima AMRYS stitching line into the Bindery while
the Studio workflow was upgraded to the Agfa Apogee X system.
The Company prides itself on achieving higher than ever quality
standards of print with very flexible, quick response
manufacturing. It is well established in the centre of commercial
printing with a number of specific specialities and innovations
in its portfolio of processes.
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