Profile of City Printing Works (Pty) Limited, Trading as CPW Printers
Overview Video
History
City Printing Works has a long and esteemed history. It is the product of City Printing Works, founded by the Russell family in 1915, and L Backhouse Printers, which was founded by Laurie Backhouse Snr. in 1927. Laurie Backhouse Senior's two sons, Laurie Backhouse Jnr. and Rae Backhouse, joined their father in the business after the Second World War, Laurie taking responsibility for sales and administration, and Rae taking responsibility for production, and the technical side of the business. Rae retired in 1997, and shortly thereafter sold his share in the business to Laurie. The third generation of Backhouses, Laurie's two sons, Mark and Craig, both joined L Backhouse Printers in 1975.
Premises
In 1987, L Backhouse Printers acquired the business of City Printing Works from the Russell family. Initially the two businesses were run separately, but were later merged with the new entity adopting the name of City Printing Works. L Backhouse Printers was first located in Mc Callum Street. It then grew and moved to Raven Street, and then to 91 Church Street. Following the merge with City Printing Works, the new business was located at 10 Bank Street. After nearly 40 years at 10 Bank Street, City Printing Works recently acquired much larger premises on the corner of West and Langalibalele (Longmarket) Streets, Pietermaritzburg. The premises have been significantly upgraded to provide ideal working conditions, and a platform for further growth.
Management
The business was re-branded as City Printing Works (Pty) Limited, trading as CPW Printers in 2006. The business is managed by Robin Barnes (Financial Director), Mark Backhouse (Sales Director), Colin Maher (Production Director) and Craig Backhouse (Director).
Printing Capabilities
City Printing Works has wide-ranging design, printing, and finishing capabilities.
Although electronic origination is normally received in the form of PDF files, we are able to work with electronic files in any format. We employ three of our own graphic designers, but also work with a number of independent specialist designers to ensure absolute customer satisfaction.
Single, or full colour, short run digital printing is undertaken using high speed Xerox digital presses. For longer runs, plates are quickly and efficiently made using the latest Kodak computer-to-plate processor technology. Proofs are produced using a Magnus 400 match print proofer. A number of sheet-fed and continuous presses are then available to produce high quality print. These include a Heidelberg Speedmaster 74 – 5 colour perfector press with computer interface colour management. Print quality is outstanding.
Our finishing and binding department has wide-ranging capabilities including Heidelberg Stahl high speed folding, Muller Martini Presto saddle stitching with three knife trimming and Practico stacking, a number of guillotines for cutting and trimmimg, perfect binding, scoring, perforating, numbering, book binding, collating, round cornering, gold foiling, rimming and drilling. A Horizon high speed perfect binding machine is utilized for our binding applications. The Company continues to upgrade its production capabilities on an ongoing basis with appropriate new technologies.
Customers
Major customers include Banks, Provincial and Local Government, General Commercial Businesses, Tourism Industry, Legal, Medical and Accounting Professions, Educational Institutions, Advertising Agencies and Graphic Designers. Products are also exported to a number of neighbouring states.
Customer Service
We are passionate about Customer Service, and are proud to have been awarded Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB) Customer Care Award as Manufacturer of the Year, and to have been awarded Five Star Awards for excellent customer service for a number of years. Customers include Banks, etc.
Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE)
The Company has been rated as a Level 1 contributor to black economic empowerment.
Employees
City Printing Works currently employs fifty two highly skilled, loyal, experienced and professional staff, who are committed to providing exceptional quality and service. Forty year long service awards are not unusual.
