At one time, Crabtree Vickers was the biggest manufacturer of printing presses in the UK. It's a famous print name and one that still crops up occasionally in my Help Line with queries about spare parts for old Crabtree commercial printing machines that are still in use, and indeed the Wharfedales that stem from the Otley-based origins of the business back in the mid-19th century.
It's good to see this famous name enjoying something of a resurgence in the shape of Crabtree of Gateshead, the metal decorating side of the business that was spun off into a separate entity back in 1977.
Crabtree now ranks among the UK manufacturers enjoying a boom in export sales, with an incredible 70% rise in sales last year, fuelled by a boom in sales to China. How refreshing to see some goods going the other way, for once. And this boom has also resulted in the creation of 130 new jobs at the business, so double-rah.
We may not be home to the giants of the industry, but like British book press manufacturer Timson, Crabtree has established a worldwide market for its specialist products and know-how.
