Picon (the UK-based Printing Industry Confederation) celebrated its first 100 years with a lunch at Stationers’ Hall on International Print Day in mid-October. The employers’ organisation represents the suppliers of printing and allied equipment and currently has 95 members who enjoy many business benefits.
Bettine Pellant, CEO of Picon, says, “Our organisation has proved adaptable to political, economic and social change and each generation has addressed issues as they saw fit. We remain relevant and proactive, creating opportunities to speak out on behalf of our sector and to create commercial opportunities, be that attending UK and international exhibitions for sales and growth or holding business forums to enable Members to gain information and extend their skills.”
It was on 16 October 1918 that The Association of British Manufacturers of Machinery for the Printing and Allied Trades was formed to encourage, promote and protect the interests of manufacturers and producers in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of Machinery for the Printing and Allied Trades.
There have been many name changes and highs and lows in activity in the century that followed but Picon emerges stronger and more relevant than ever in 2018. Significantly, the protectionist remit that started it all has given way to a much more international and diverse body, not least with the mergers of the BFPMS (British Federation for Printing Machinery and Supplies) and the BPMMA (British Paper Machinery Makers Association) to become Picon and the merger just ten years ago of Picon and the APMI (Association of Printing Machinery Importers).
Gerard Heanue, Chairman of Picon, muses: “How would the founders of 1918 have felt that the Chairman today represents a Germany company? And, given that this was the year women over 30 years first got the vote, could they have anticipated there being a lady CEO running the organisation?”
Print, and by implication, print suppliers have faced many challenges, not least competition from other media including radio, TV, cinema, computers and the Internet. Letterpress has given way to litho and today we see digital technology gathering pace. “Suppliers should lie comfortable in their beds – print will still have a place into the 22nd century,” says Mr Heanue in the introduction to the just published Centenary book which covers the organisation’s history and current activities.
