New year predictions: Mike Malpas, Hampton Printing

Malpas: We all need volume but there are more ways to be successful
Malpas: We all need volume but there are more ways to be successful

While this MD’s highlight of the past decade was buying the award-winning business, looking into the 2020s his next big challenge is getting his work/life balance sorted.

What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
Trying to get a bit of a rest! and hoping there will be more confidence and realisation in this digital age that quality print really can bring value.

As the decade draws to a close, what trend (business or technology) do you think the 2010s will be remembered for?
Selfie’s! A now acknowledged injury – ‘Selfie Wrist’. Hand held devices and the availability of data for instant personal access.

What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in the next decade and why?
It’s got to be the value we can realise with our clients in providing a forward thinking pro-active level of service. We all need volume but there are more ways to be successful, efficient of course, lean without doubt, but we must also create the difference.

What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in the next decade and why?
The constant squeeze on workable margins despite us continually investing in the latest technology and at the same time reducing our business costs.

What’s the one thing that the industry should do more of, or do better, in the 2020s?
Addressing our environmental issues.

What was your biggest disappointment in the 2010s?
The constant squeeze on workable margins and many creative agencies obsession with digital, at times almost 100% to the detriment of litho print! And the fact that some corners of the print industry are still reeling from the 2008 financial crash – some light relief would be welcome!

What was your highlight of the decade?
After being with the business for over 30 years, buying this multi-award winning company from my retiring MD.

What are your hopes for 2020s?
Of course that we continue to make the positive strides that we have done since the acquisition.

We can't believe we're asking this question for the third year running: what is your one-word view on Brexit?
Opportunity.

What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Not to waste time comparing yourself with others.

What if anything will you do differently in the new decade?
Nothing. I learn all the time which means l’m always changing and trying to be better at what we do.

What’s your favourite Christmas cracker joke?
What kind of printer do pigs use?
An oinkjet printer. Ta-dah.

What is the earliest Christmas present you can remember receiving as a child?
A ‘Shoot’ football annual, but my knees are feeling my many years now!

Are you making any New Year's resolutions? If so, what?
No New Year’s resolutions as such as l’m not big on that, but l have promised myself that l will try to improve my work/life balance.