Caring about our environment
February 2012
We have been working hard to reduce the consumption of water and chemistry in our processes. The introduction of our new AGFA Avalon platesetters in 2010 massively reduced water consumption, saving over 1,600,000 litres since installation. We have also been reducing the use of Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) which is used in the damping solutions of litho presses. In 2005 we consumed over 12,000 litres of IPA. By 2009, following the introduction of our Komori LS 529C which has always run alcohol free, we had reduced this consumption to just under 6,000 litres per year. Since the autumn of 2011 we have been working with Stehlin Hostag to drive the consumption even lower; we now run two presses completely alcohol free, three others are run using just 1.5% alcohol and the other just 3%. Traditionally presses would have run using between 8 and 10% alcohol in their dampening systems. At the current rate we are using 1275 litres in a 12 month period. However, we are on course to have all presses running completely alcohol free by the end of March 2012.
To achieve this we have developed and implemented a whole series of precise and effective daily and weekly maintenance practices right across our press room. Fewer inflammable chemicals in the workspace significantly reduces the risk of fire.
When you print with us on FSC or PEFC accredited materials you can be assured that we are doing everything possible to safeguard our environment in both the short and longer term. FSC and PEFC materials are guaranteed to be drawn from sustainable resources; more trees are being planted than felled for this purpose and young trees are particularly effective at absorbing carbon dioxide from the environment.
43 years of service
November 2011
Alan Hinton retired from our bindery on 10th November 2011 after almost 43 years
of continuous and distinguished service. Alan joined the business in 1968 as a guillotine
operator. He worked for many years looking after a team of assistants running our
folding machines. In November 1987 Alan became shift supervisor in the bindery,
a role he excelled in for the following 12 years. In 1999 Alan returned to the folding
machines where he became a key part of our training programme for apprentices and
trainees. Alan has passed on first hand the benefit of his knowledge and experience
to many members of the team he leaves behind. During the last 40 years we have been
very fortunate to have a very experienced, loyal and stable team operating as the
backbone of our bindery operations. While we are all very sorry to see Alan leave
us, we are delighted that he has seized the opportunity to move into the next phase
of his life at a time of his choosing.
His retirement was marked by firstly a presentation from the Directors and then
another presentation in front of all staff plus a number of his former colleagues
who came in to see him on his last day at Hobbs.
There is a significant group of our staff who worked together for many years who
get together on a regular basis even though they have now retired.
The title of longest serving member of staff now passes to Sandra Maynard who runs
our despatch and delivery department. Like many of our staff, Sandra joined straight
from school.
The investment in training and development never stops
October 2011
Lorraine Vine and Mark Stokes recently celebrated achieving NVQ level 2 qualifications
in Business Improvement Techniques. Lorraine works as a Team Leader in the Confidential
packing team and Mark operates our Océ 6250 and 6160 digital presses. They are seen
here with Graham Bromley, Deputy Managing Director.
Lorraine has previously attained NVQ2 qualifications in Team Leading and Performing
Manufacturing Operations. Mark has previously attained NVQ2 in Performing Manufacturing
Operations. Lorraine and Mark are members of a group of staff taking part in training
in Lean Manufacturing Techniques.
The investment continues; Two new Polar Guillotines
Febuary 2011
In February we saw the installation of two new Polar 115X Plus guillotines supplied
by Heidelberg UK. These are the fourth generation of Polar guillotines to have been
operated by Hobbs. The machines are supported by materials handling equipment that
lifts and jogs materials prior to cutting as well as making it easier for the operator
to stack down efficiently.
The guillotines are critical to the smooth running of the plant as they are involved
in the preparation of paper to print as well as cutting text down prior to folding
and covers prior to binding.
It is essential in our view that we operate modern, safe, reliable equipment to
help us meet the needs and expectations of our clients.
Heidelberg Press
January 2011
Over Christmas and the New Year holidays we saw significant activity in our press
room. Changes to working practices has meant one of our presses was facing the wrong
way and one press needed replacing.
Heidelberg worked with us to relocate and refurbish the offending existing press
and we took the opportunity to install a brand new Heidelberg 102 2P press.
The new press was officially launched into production in late January by Diane Williams,
Chief Finance Officer of Wolters Kluwer UK.
Farewell Malcolm
October 2010
On to October and we saw the retirement of Malcolm Rose after 40 years of service,
who will be known to many of you as an Account Manager. Malcolm’s career saw
him rise from a trainee, through department management to become a most trusted
and admired member of our customer service team. His knowledge and experience were
second to none. Many stories were shared during his farewell presentations and as
you can see from the pictures below (excluding the one from the 1970’s!) Malcolm
had a great send off and David wished him a long and contented retirement on behalf
of the company and his colleagues.
Malcolm asked us to thank the many customers who sent him personal messages for
his retirement. We collated them together and presented Malcolm with a personalised
book of photographs and good wishes.
Xerox 1300 Digital Web
September 2010
After painstaking evaluation of the current and future needs for short run, lightweight
paper products in the directory and loose leaf markets we decided to replace our
Nipson Digital Web with the Xerox 1300 Digital Web, which now gives us up to 1200dpi
resolution for the production of high quality tints and half-tones.
Installation was completed in November 2010 and this coincided with the extension
of contracts with major publishers of loose leaf titles.
As you can see from the pictures, the final product is delivered as collated blocks
and with minimal handling proceeds to the next production process.
BPIF's 2010 Award for outstanding contribution to UK printing industry
July 2010
David Hobbs was both surprised and delighted to be singled out for this prestigious
industry awarded, which was presented to him by BPIF President, Rupert Middleton at lunch
during Members’ Day 2010. Below is just a short extract from Rupert’s
speech:
“I am delighted to present to you today a quiet and generous man, who has
done so much for his company, his community and his industry. David Hobbs is first
and foremost a family man, with three fast-growing children all achieving great
things at school, university and post-graduation and challenging David to keep up,
both mentally and physically! He is a keen sports fan, having been a Saints season
ticket holder for most of his life – this can’t be easy I guess, but
at least he’s loyal! He’s also a Hampshire Cricket fan, a dinghy sailor
when time permits, and a keen occasional golfer and tennis player. In recent years
he has been specialising in military golf!
“During his time at Hobbs, David has overseen significant changes within the
company, sustaining and building upon a remarkable legacy at Hobbs. The company
has achieved its success by always focusing on providing the highest quality of
customer service and developing a professional team through investing in training.
These two tenets have been the cornerstone of the company’s business philosophy
over the years.
“Colleagues will tell you that David’s style is to work quietly without
seeking attention. He is often to be found working alongside his production and
estimating teams demonstrating his commitment to clients’ needs. He is liked
and trusted within the business and by his customers; people know that he is both
honest and sincere. He is also a great supporter of our industry. A member (and
former Chairman) of the
BPIF’s South Eastern Regional Board, and he is a Board Member with
the IPN (International Printers Network) guiding this international partnership
of independent companies.
“Outside of work, David is a passionate supporter of national and local charities
such as the Muscular Dystrophy Society, for whom he has run the London Marathon
on more than one occasion, and Wessex Heartbeat, for whom he has cycled around Northern
France as part of a Hobbs team on several occasions, all to raise much needed funds
for these very worthy causes [editor’s note: sponsorship for the Autumn 2011
500 mile ride would be much appreciated!]. Now though, he also gives even more of
himself as a Trustee of the Wessex Cardiac Trust.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to present David Hobbs with
the BPIF
2010 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the UK Printing Industry.”
Rupert Middleton, President, BPIF . July 2010.
Avalon platesetters
April 2010
We are delighted to announce that we have purchased two new platesetters and processors
from Agfa. These devices provide considerable benefits in reducing the amount of
chemicals and water used on a daily basis. This makes them much more environmentally
friendly and supports our continued efforts to be a responsible business in respect
of our local community and the environment as a whole.
In comparison to our previous system we will save 1 million litres of water each
year they are in production.
Hampshire Football Association
March 2010
Many of our staff have a keen interest in sport and inevitably football plays its
part within our Monday morning discussions. For many years we’ve enjoyed a
working relationship with the Hampshire Football Association and have also provided
some sponsorship for competitions and events. Last year Terry Ozanne and Colin Richardson
were asked to be the guests of honour at the Hampshire FA Veterans Cup between Aerostructures
and Nursling.
Their duties involved being presented to the team prior to the game, watching the
game intently in order to choose the Man of the Match and presenting the trophy
to the winning team.
Colin found Man of the Match selection a particularly difficult task, not through
a lack of football knowledge, but because during his own career in local football
he’d left his mark on a number of those still playing!! Areostructures came
out the winners with a stunning injury time goal in dreadful rain and windswept
conditions.
Photographs courtesy of www.MirrorBoxStudios.co.uk