Sheffield-based print company Northend are celebrating 135 years within the industry. When founder John William Northend began the business on August 24 1889, he would have been concerned about how to create a business that would see out the year, let alone what they have gone on to achieve.
His principles from day one were to offer a quality product together with the trust of customers and staff offering an unrivalled service. Applying those principles worked and, in 1914, having outgrown the original premises, JW bought land and built 49 West Street for £6626 funded in part by a mortgage of £3250.
Northend remained in this building for the next 74 years despite damage caused by a bomb during the Blitz of Sheffield on 12/13 December 1940. Even then print jobs were still completed, with the Bishop of Sheffield coming in to read the proofs of his Diocesan magazine the following morning.
Today, Northend is recognised by the British Printing Industries Federation as one of the oldest printing companies in the UK. To celebrate 135 years, the current custodians and team of 38 staff shared memories with customers and other stakeholders back in the old factory, which is now a bar, over a drink or two.
What JW would make of it is hard to tell. He would however be thrilled that, by sticking to his principles of quality, trust and service, the business that he began all those years ago is still flourishing despite two World Wars, two factory moves and all the technological changes the sector has seen during the 135 years.
