Ben Vallings has run Benjamin Bowring Printing in Kumeu-Huapai for 32 years, and now his children, Charlotte and Tom have taken the reins and are taking the business in to the future with a brand new look.
It will simply be known as Bowring Print, the rebranding of the family business including a new logo and signs, revamped website, and a changed colour scheme to two complimentary blues.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the quality and care the company puts into the many print, sign, stationery, picture framing, design and clothing projects they take on.
Ben still helps in an advisory role within the business, using all his years of experience to support Charlotte, Tom and the Bowring Print team.
Both almost literally grew up with the business, at times playing in the factory while dad was at work and then later taking an active role.
Now Charlotte’s two children Elliott, four-and-a-half, and Harriet, two-and-a-half are frequent visitors to the factory at 10B Shamrock Drive, along with Tom’s daughter Astrid who is eight-and-a-half months.
Tom recalls he and Charlotte used to earn their pocket money working on the premises after school and in school holidays, starting out by collating, wrapping and later helping make printing plates and more.
“Everything in the business we’ve done,” Charlotte says. “We’ve had a good grounding in it so everything that happens here we know how it works.”
Charlotte initially studied interior design and worked in Auckland’s creative sector. Her artistic flair comes in handy at Bowring Print where’s she’s been full-time as a print specialist for nine years, including having knowledge in special print effects and finishing techniques.
Charlotte’s husband Daniel is associated with the business too, providing IT and web support.
Tom worked overseas before joining Bowring Print full-time about four years ago. Tom specialises in the sign and clothing departments and has a wide range of knowledge in both of these areas.
Of the five staff, another who has been there so long she’s considered part of the family is Jessica, who now manages the accounts department.
Amith, dubbed ‘Maui’ has over 20 years experience as an offset printer and print finisher completing the Bowring Print team.
So there’s more than 50 years of family association with the firm – 70 years if you count Amith.
Bowring Print has come a long way from its beginnings in 1987 – Benjamin Bowring Vallings was named after entrepreneur ancestor Benjamin Bowring who started as an English watchmaker in 1803 and later owned a wharf and schooner the Charlotte Jane to ship goods between the UK and US. The firm continued to prosper and built up a substantial fleet of sailing vessels, including a 764 tonne whaler called Terra Nova that was engaged in polar exploration. It was on this vessel in 1910 that Captain Scott left from Cardiff for Christchurch, New Zealand on the ill-fated British Antarctic Expedition.
The company has diversified during its time, providing custom printed workwear uniforms, hi-vis safety wear, and day to day branded business clothing for the past 10 years.
“We are a one-stop shop for all printing, signs, branding and more across a wide range of products,” Charlotte says.
“We can do notepads, posters, customised packaging, promotional products, business cards, graphic design, plan prints, self-carbonating docket books, binding, letterheads, wedding invitations, foiling, embossing, picture framing, window frosting and much more.”
To contact Bowring Print email tom@bowring.co.nz or phone 09 412 9521 for more information.
