New year predictions: Stephen Docherty, Bell & Bain

Bell & Bain group chairman Stephen Docherty
Bell & Bain group chairman Stephen Docherty

Stephen Docherty stepped up from managing director to group chairman of book printer Bell & Bain in 2019 – a year that saw it acquire J Thomson Colour Printers and continue its mega kit investment programme – but it's the company's employees that he continues to shout the loudest about.

What were your highlights of 2019?
We have got our team a better pension scheme, and private healthcare for employees with three years’ service and more. And a Christmas bonus! It’s all about the people!

What are your expectations for the industry in 2020?
I think printers will still find it very difficult to keep their heads above water.

What are your hopes for 2020?
For Bell & Bain I hope to steady the ship with in-house training and improve our customer services. We have to also manage the installations of our new Koenig & Bauer presses, and we will have an additional Muller Martini Diamant case binder too!

Bell & Bain I think will near the £20m turnover, with the group hitting the £35m.

Glasgow Celtic will win the ninth league in a row.

Anything else to add?
I wish all in our industry the very best for the New Year, and my advice is: dream bigger!