Pioneer Press Skipton, History and Staff
History
Pioneer Press was formed in 1995 from the former printing department at the Craven Herald & Pioneer newspaper in Skipton.
After a restructure at the newspaper the decision was made to close down the printing department and a chance was given to the employees to purchase the machinery. Two of the printers Anthony Fisher and Robert Andrews took them up on their offer and bought all the equipment and continued to produce general print under the newly formed company Pioneer Press. They were able to offer employment to several other employees to save them from redundancy. The name Pioneer was taken from Craven Herald & Pioneer to form a link to its previous life.
After a few months on the High Street at the Craven Herald buildings Pioneer Press relocated to Airedale Business Centre pleasantly located just off the Skipton bypass.
Staff
Although only a relatively small company we are able to meet the requirements needed for most print operations. We operate an “All hands on deck” approach to ensure all contracts are met and supplied within the timescales required. It is not unusual to see the directors packing, delivering or sweeping up if that is what is necessary at the time.
The joint owners of the business, Anthony and Robert, are also the Directors with Moira Andrews as Company Secretary. Anthony and Robert are both fully apprenticeship trained printers with a wealth of experience to be called upon.
Anthony J Fisher – Director
Anthony served his apprenticeship at a commercial printer in Earby after earning a Distinction at Blackburn Technology College for Printing. This was followed by positions at a carton printer in Burnley and clothing manufacturer in Colne. In 1980 he joined the Craven Herald as a commercial printer. Whilst being an experienced printer he tends to run the letterpress machinery that provides the cutting creasing and finishing operations.
Robert (Bob) Andrews – Director
Bob served his apprenticeship at the world renowned Oxford University Press before relocating to Yorkshire. Having worked in small commercial printing companies and large greeting card manufacturers he has brought this experience to Pioneer Press to run the print department. He has knowledge of working full colour presses and has a keen eye for detail and can spot a spelling mistake a mile off. This harks back to a time that the printer was paid half a crown for every error found!
Moira Andrews – Office Manager
Duties include everything from reception, payroll, accounts, marketing and quotations to keeping the workforce under control. All initial enquiries regarding printing should be directed to Moira who will deal with your requirements and follow the work through right up to invoice.
Moira’s experience was gained at the Inland Revenue, Lord Chancellor’s Office and Bradford City Council, and latterly at an Insurance Brokers where she was able to broaden her office skills to cover all aspects of management.
Peter F Hanson – Studio Manager
Peter served his printing apprenticeship at the world renowned Percy Lund Humphries of Bradford and London where he worked from the age of 15 to 25 gaining his City and Guilds Finals Certificate in composing, printing and design at Bradford Art College. He then went on to complete a two year departmental management course at the college before embarking onto Monotype keyboard and then finally onto Apple Macintosh. He moved to Skipton and worked for two local printing companies in Keighley before spending 20 years working as a graphic designer/typesetter in his own company, Melody Type & Design. He moved to Pioneer Press in 2009 to take over as Studio Manager following the retirement of David Clemence.
A friendly and close knit work force who work together to make sure you get the product you want when you want.
Pioneer Press Limited. Registered in England and Wales: 03079299. Registered Office: Unit 2 Airedale Business Centre, Enterprise Way, Skipton, North Yorkshire.
