Press Releases
Recipe for Success
North Shields based Potts Printers has made huge progress in recent times, rising in the Top 500 from 463 in 2003 to 405 last year. More impressively, the company, which stands at 43 in the return on capital employed ranking with 79.11%, has increased staff from around 30 five years ago to 98 now. Turnover has risen from around £1.3m to £6m plus.
According to Managing Director Shaun Currie, a three-way split of hard work, the knowledge to invest in the right kit in the right market and a slice of good luck are the reasons for Potts’ success. In the last five years the privately owned company has invested more than £6m, of which about £3.5m has been in the Press Hall. CTP and finishing equipment have been progressively updated, as have the buildings.
Getting the Potts brand recognised has been crucial to the company’s success. As Currie says, "We got out there and made our name known. Now we have a solid client base that includes blue chip plc’s and some household names. "
Also important to the company’s success is its staff. Currie is proud to say that his staff are all excellent with little turnover because they are looked after so well. "This gives continuity between ourselves and our customers. In some cases our clients and the company have grown together. That’s easier than finding new business much of the time."
Even so, in the past couple of years Potts has marketed itself progressively south from its northeast base. Previously, Currie admits, the company was quite aggressive in growth, but now with the Potts brand established, this is now not so much the case.
Managing growth has brought challenges and "good problems" for the business. Currie sums it up:"We are a major player in the northeast, but our goal is to be a major player nationally. Without goals, there’s little to aim for."