The Cornwall-based printing company, formerly known as TJ International, has rebranded as TJ Books.
This change comes alongside significant financial investment in new processes and equipment.
Based just outside of Padstow, TJ Books employs more than 120 people and is one of the UK’s largest independent book manufacturers, producing on average 1,000 titles a month. The £1.5 million-plus investment strategy is focused on both improvements in efficiency and providing publishers with a wide range of options for their book production requirements.
The new upgrade, which includes the latest iX30200 HD inkjet press from Canon, complements two existing continuous fed inkjet presses, which now flow into a fully automated finishing line.
In addition, 5-colour toner and cover embellishments for short-run lengths have been added. The investment increases capacity and combines the workflows for short-run digital and print-on-demand production.
TJ Books is also introducing a new Management Information System which will go live at the end of the year. This will streamline the front end of the business, giving customers greater visibility and live information about their orders.
The company was founded in 1969 and underwent a management buyout led by Andy Watts in 2018. Since then it has gone through a series of structural changes to ensure a thriving business despite the big uncertainties of Brexit and Covid-19. TJ Books is today led by MD Andy Watts, finance director Andy Adams and finance director, Andy Vosper.
MD Andy Watts said: “These past two years have been an important time to ensure we have laid key infrastructure to support the strategy. Our decision to buy this business and then relaunch as TJ Books, was borne from a desire to offer an innovative and refreshing approach to the market.”
