Careers Summary
43 years in Print manufacturing – Loved the job, loved the industry absolutely no regrets, not many can say that!
I worked for a local print company for (18 years) before starting my own business in 1982
1963-1982 – Employee, Apprentice, Journeyman, Manager
63-82 Started work at 15 and was works manager by the age of 20. Managing the process and employees aged 15 to coming up to retirement age. I knew I could connect with people of any age.
Married April 1969, 3 years later my wife Diane and I, had our two wonderful children Mandy and Brad. My family my main focus and driver. Success for me was providing for them (old fashioned as it may be!) and keeping them safe. If I could achieve this and enjoy the journey myself! I would be the happiest man on earth! And I am.
My preference was and still is, hands-on managing! Wherever the back-log was, is where you would find me. I was “fortunate”, I like working! Not being satisfied just being a compositor, printer, print-finisher I wanted to do it all. And did! My broad knowledge from Sales to Delivery (end to end) gave me insight into my next personal development – embracing computers! What they could do to help me improve productivity!
The company had a Burroughs Computer for accounting, it was state of the art, as big as a large dining table and had the capacity of today’s equivalent micro-chip! But brilliant at the time. This is where and when I created my first job movement system for workflow.
Horner Brothers Printers (24 years)
1982-2006 – Founder, MD, Manufacturer
1982 It became clear to me, that my current employer of 18 years, could not provide me with opportunities to further my career aspirations – the owner reserved these opportunities for his growing family – I respected his position, knowing if it were me, I would do exactly the same.
I took the enormous decision to leave what was a relatively secure job! To start my own business. ‘Failure’ and ‘can’t do’ were erased from my dictionary! My family depended on it.
My brother Dennis worked for the same company (20 years), he sales and accounts, me production and HR.
Dennis was the first person I told of my decision, his immediate response “if you’re going I’m coming” Our knowledge and skill sets complimented each other and crossed-over, having worked with each other for 18 years, we felt we had the full package to succeed, being really close as brothers was another major asset and from that moment….
1982 Horner Brothers Printers was founded. (I, 32, kids 11 and 9, Den 34, kids 10 and 8).
1982 UK was in deep recession, job losses, industrial strikes and no jobs for the young people leaving school hoping to start their own adult journey. It wasn’t as bad as 2007/8 crash but not far off.
With no savings of our own, we owned our then (mortgaged) homes, we approached a bank for a business loan. You actually spoke to a bank manager back then, fortunately the one we spoke to, believed in our vision and enthusiasm and granted us a £15,000 loan, against a second charge on our houses.
6 weeks later….
Old van, Premises, an old chapel, 4 pieces of very old second-hand machinery, and a little computer. An order book, with orders in it and suppliers willing to supply raw materials and printing supplies. We were off!
From zero to £750,000 turnover, 2 people to 8 people in the first 6 years. We moved from 650 sqft to 6000 sqft, what we had, fitted in one corner of what felt like a cavern of a shed. By this time we had some new additional equipment on lease, we were printing for some big organisations, BT, NHS, Yorkshire Water, SY Police. Punching above our weight!
By 2003 we were turning over £15m pa, 50,000sqft of manufacturing, warehousing with storage, pick, pack and distribution facilities, with a workforce of 150 – with less than 1% annual staff turn – All managed by “The Boss” a computer system which we created to manage the whole process, start to finish. Fair to say, we built a highly respected business which “included” employees, suppliers, customers and the printing industry as a whole.
2006 We sold the business to the then well-established management team, we preferred this to selling on the open market. It was important for us to preserve the culture of the business with the team that helped us get there.
Barbot Developments
2006 – Founder, Investor
2006 I founded Barbot Developments Ltd – Barn Conversions
Primarily for my son and son-in-law for a new career after Horner Brothers!
Idleback
2007 – Founder, Inventor, Manufacturer, Sales, Service, Repair and Coach
2007 I invented a Shooting Chair and accessories which can also be used for observation and wildlife photography! www.idleback.co.uk
I founded Idleback Ltd. – Invested in research, development, design, prototyping. Through this period I outsourced CAD drawings of my components! Expensive and slow progress, I needed to be independent so invested in Solidworks CAD system, self-taught, aided by webinars, tutorials and 1000’s of hours hands-on learning, enabled me to draw my own parts, assemble sub-assemblies and simulate the finished chair on screen. Having the ability to produce drawings I was able to source components from overseas and UK companies. The chairs sell around the world! Receiving accolades for quality, fit-for-purpose and outstanding customer service.
2012 Further business development I opened an indoor target shooting facility trading as www.southyorkshireshootingclub.co.uk From the 5500sqft industrial unit, I applied for planning permission to use part of the unit for retail, part leisure and kept the rest as manufacturing – simultaneously I applied to become a RFD, Registered Firearms Dealer. Formalities out of the way, I brought together the shooting range, gun shop, café and not forgetting Idleback Chair assembly, pick, pack and distribution. All under the registered Idleback Brand.
In my spare time I used solidworks to design and build a mezzanine floor in the unit to give us additional firing lanes upstairs for expansion. Also using solidworks to design kitchens.
2019 I am an Airgun Coach, I service and repair airguns. Continue to develop the chairs and add more accessories to the portfolio. Family continue to run the day to day business which enables me to pursue my next hobby…
2019 MENTOR 121
Hopefully using my knowledge and experience to help others!
11/11/2019 – Accepted as a E-MENTOR for the Prince’s Trust – Still learning!