This year marks ten years since St Austell Printing Company (SAPC) moved into its state-of-the-art premises in the Carclaze area of St Austell.
This huge expansion has not only created new jobs but allowed the company to grow its print services and become a UK trailblazer for eco-friendly, carbon-balanced printing.
Established by MD Peter Moody in 1981, SAPC began as Kwik Print, operating from a high street shop in St Austell town centre. As the business expanded beyond its modest origins, the construction of the purpose-built eco-friendly facility commenced in 2011. By spring 2013, Moody and his team had successfully transitioned to their new premises.
Moody said: “We’re extremely proud to be marking ten years in the factory. Our ambition was to create a space where the business can continue to serve our clients and the community, but with room to grow in terms of our product offering and as an employer of local people – of course keeping sustainability front of mind throughout.”
Sustainability is hugely important to SAPC, with the factory being built on strong environmental principles. The design of the building reduces the demand for energy and natural resources making printing even more efficient. Solar panels are responsible for a third of all energy used by the building, all paper used is recycled and produced from sustainably managed forests, with all off-cuts being processed for use in recycled paper.
Eco-friendly measures are in the fibre of the business, which has recently become a certified carbon-balanced printer, meaning it offsets the full operational carbon footprint of every print order.
Moody continued: “We believe that our strong eco principles have definitely been a factor in why so many companies trust us with their printing, including national brands like the fantastic Top Trumps – of which we are their only UK supplier. We’re very proud to be putting Cornwall on the printing map, and we know we will continue to innovate our family business over the next decade.”
Always a family affair, Moody now shares company leadership duties with his daughter Beth Mayman, the operations manager at SAPC. Under the family stewardship, the business is continuing to go from strength to strength, introducing new products and offerings regularly, such as bespoke casino-quality playing cards to celebrate its anniversary year.
Mayman said: “At SAPC, our team have always strived to be at the forefront of innovation – from commissioning one-of-a-kind custom-built printing machinery to new product development, and even the construction of the St Austell Business Park which is now home to 15 companies and St Austell Conference Centre.
“We feel like we’re just getting started and are excited to see what the next ten years have in store.”
