Farquhar starts push into future with Ricoh and Tharstern

Farquhar Print has taken on a Ricoh Pro C9100 digital production printer and the latest Tharstern MIS as the first step as it pushes towards modernisation.

Installed in November, the C9100 represents a £100,000 investment for the Perth-based firm. Its Tharstern, an upgrade of its prior system, was installed two weeks ago.

While moving the new technology onto its 743sqm site, the commercial printer has begun to consider pastures new, putting in a planning application with the local council to replace its base – an old sorting office – with 39 flats in blocks ranging from three to five storeys.

The proposals were filed by Yeoman Mcallister Architects at the behest of Hillstone Developments – a property developer owned by Paul Hepburn, who is the managing director of Edinburgh-based Farquhar's parent Paramount Printers. If the proposals are approved, Farquhar will look to move to a more modern base in the Perth area.

Hepburn said: “The building is not ideal for print production and, like any business, we want to protect the asset that is Farquhar by finding it a site that has good road infrastructure links, is set on a single level and is sustainably-built with low heat, light and power costs.

“This is a practice we have carried out before when relocating Paramount. We acquired Farquhar last year and have worked to modernise it with a rebrand and a campaign to build awareness of its capabilities in the local area.

“Perth is very centrally-located within Scotland, only 30 minutes’ drive from both Edinburgh and Scotland. Our group are city-based printers and we intend to keep it that way.”

Hepburn, working with Farquhar’s onsite managing director Alistair McWilliam, is now looking to grow the business through investment and increased awareness. With a staff headcount of eight, the firm currently turns over £800,000 – which Hepburn aims to push past the £1m mark in the next two years.