Two colleagues from Oxford have joined forces to buy the print and design centre where they have worked together for the last 12 years.
Martin Herbert (48) and Trevor Warne (43) have worked at print and design services company Kall Kwik since 2007. Part of the Bardon Group and operated as a franchise, the company has had a presence in the prestigious university city over many years, with Martin and Trevor playing a key role in the company’s success over the last decade.
What makes the partnership unique is their mix of both traditional and modern backgrounds in the printing sector. Martin joined the company on leaving school as a trainee Heidelberg printer, working his way up to being in charge of a fleet of traditional printing presses and was a key member of the team that relaunched the then Gillett Press as Kall Kwik in the city in 2007. Trevor also joined the team in 2007 with an impressive CV in digital press and graphic design.
Using their combined knowledge of the printing industry and under the watchful eye of then owner, Christine Herbert, Martin and Trevor set to work transforming the existing litho print company into a state-of-the-art print and design facility.
Martin commented: “Trevor and I have seen the industry from both sides. I’ve been in the print business since the hay day of litho printing and its old fashion ways, learning my trade on the job and retraining in digital and large format presses over the years. Trevor has a degree in professional media, specialising in graphic design and knows that side of the business inside and out.”
Trevor continued: “It’s the perfect skills partnership – I work closely with fellow salesman and graphic designer Darryl getting incoming work print ready, then Martin with his finisher Rob oversees all aspects of print, production and finishing. When the opportunity arose to buy the business Martin and I couldn’t really believe our luck. We have always worked with passion and dedication and with the mindset of business owners – with a close eye on cost savings and customer satisfaction – long before the opportunity arose for us to buy the business.”
Kall Kwik managing director Nigel Toplis shares the duo’s enthusiasm. He noted: “We are thrilled that Martin and Trevor have seen the opportunity to take on the business that they have worked so hard within. Their commitment to Kall Kwik over the last decade and more means that they clearly understand the potential of the market-leading superbrand and have the skills and foresight to take the business forward.”
Kall Kwik Oxford also boasts some impressive environmental credentials, sourcing all its paper from FSC suppliers where possible and joining a local woodland capture programme planting native trees. This environmental conscience is also reflected in the company’s premises which is designed with recycled print pallets and large-format graphics to create a modern and welcoming workspace befitting of a modern printer with traditional values.
Based in one of the most recognisable university cities in the world, a large part of Kall Kwik Oxford’s business comes from the learning, training and event sectors and Trevor and Martin have decisive plans to develop the business further. Martin added: “With both litho and digital press, as well as graphic design capabilities at our disposal, we are able to position ourselves as a true one-stop-shop for Oxford’s design and print requirements. Whether our customer is looking for a same day short run of business cards or needs 5,000 flyers designing and printing for an event, we can deliver.”
For further information about Kall Kwik, Oxford visit https://www.kallkwik.co.uk/oxford/ or contact 01865 791003.