‘Punk Rocker’ celebrates 45 years in print

Known affectionately throughout his career as ‘Pez’, David Warwick is celebrating 45 years at H&H Reeds Print & Design.

Described as a “true punk rocker” due to having been a musician for most of his life, Warwick first started his career at Reeds in 1978 where he was hired by his father Malcom Warwick the company’s co-owner and production director.

A true family affair, Warwick’s grandfather Syd Thornton was also an established figure at Reeds as director and works manager when he joined the company.

Thought to have “printer’s ink in his blood”, Warwick recalls how his parents were keen for him to join the family business and would buy him John Bull printing set boxes for Christmas.

Warwick began his career as a compositor with the role evolving with the business moving up to run his own presses and then progressing to his current role as a platemaker for the state-of-the-art litho and digital presses that run at Reeds in Penrith.

Reflecting on how the print industry has changed over the past 45 years, Warwick says: “When I started as a Compositor, type had to be set manually, and plate making was originally a manual job too. Now we operate a machine that makes the plates for us.

“Reeds has changed and grown since I was the designated bait boy, going out to collect bait in the morning for the other workers. Machines and presses have kept up with the latest technologies, and Reeds has expanded to include new businesses such as signs, web, and digital, adapting to keep up with the changing times.”

Andy Jackson, managing director of Reeds describes Warwick’s 45-year anniversary at “epitomising the dedication and commitment that has kept the company in the forefront of the North West printing industry for more than 140 years”.

He adds: “We wholeheartedly congratulate Pez on his 45^th work anniversary. His experience and his contribution to the company have been invaluable, and we are hugely grateful for his dedication and hard work.

“He and his family have been part of the backbone of the company for half its lifetime, and those deep roots in the business and the region have played a vital part in our success.”

With offices in Penrith and Carlisle, H&H Reeds specialises in website design, branding and design, print, signage, and digital marketing.

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