• MEET THE MILL: ARCTIC PAPER’S GRYKSBO
• PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: LARGE FORMAT
• UP CLOSE & PERSONAL: JOSH KILBY
• SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE
• COMPANY BENEFITS OVERVIEW
• WINNER OF THE “WHERE’S ANDY?” PHOTO COMPETITION
...AND MORE
Welcome to the second edition of the mag.
The very nature of this vehicle is to enhance our communication and better inform our colleagues’, customers’ and suppliers’ engagement with Denmaur. The feedback from the first edition has been positive, from all corners so many thanks to Bob Gould and Danny Doogan for a great start.
The paper industry has been set many challenges and this year is no different to the forty previous ones I have experienced.
Digital and AI developments will gain new heights and speed. The marketing around this will affect the printed word and of course paper and paper manufacturing in its own right.
Accordingly, Denmaur will continue to change and remain relevant and agile to our customers and suppliers but also our own team.
This will bring much opportunity but also threats. We must look to the future markets, not just traditional. Our diversification will intensify and promote change but it will also deliver business sustainability.
We already have some great examples of this change at our company:
Our former CEO, Nick Gee, left us a great starting legacy with the introduction of lamination films promoted to the market by lamination expert Warren Curtis along with Holly, David and others in the sales team.
This new product area goes from strength to strength. We have seen new customers as well as additional business from our traditional customers. It has been a great achievement by this team to procure the best of products globally and provide first class service and delivery.
Conversion at Bescot, the main reason we acquired Middleton Vision, has been transformed going from converting for a limited customer base to the creation of Reel Fast. Thanks go to Clive and Michael Townsend for their innovation that has produced a value proposition to market like no other. With Reel Fast we now offer new supplier products, transform customer cash flow with just in time delivery and offer the ability to cut to exact size, delivered in just 5 days.
This has already grown our customer base and proposition to market, and we continue to invest in its productivity.
This change could not have happened without the full buy-in by the conversion team at Bescot who have to be congratulated on their commitment to change. It is a snap shot template of what real change can achieve at Denmaur and I thank this team for their dedication, drive and enthusiasm to adapt to the new world order for conversion. They have become business ambassadors for Reel Fast and all product conversion.
We have also started a new journey in Digital, Inkjet and Large Format products which is where technological change is happening at a fast pace. Early indications show this area can bring much success via our ability to be agile for customers adding great value to all three product lines.
All of the above good news notwithstanding, we know we still have much to improve and change, like all businesses. But we also know that what makes a successful business is how quickly we can adapt our journey for our people, customers and suppliers.
With one issue under our belt we are looking to be bigger and better going forward starting with this one, and jam packed it is! Now a year into his Group Managing Director role, Andy Buxton delivers his update on new company developments. Read all about them on the page opposite. And don’t miss the results of last issue’s “Where’s Andy?”competition.
You will have the chance to meet Arctic Paper’s Grysksbo mill in Sweden, flagship of its Cradle To Grave operation..
Our sustainability expert, Danny Doogan, will enlighten you about the temporarily delayed EUDR scheme and what it means for anyone shipping paper products to or from the EU.
And there is the usual roundup of what is happening within Denmaur and some features about what is happening within the paper and packaging industry writ large.
Finally, the personal content in our first issue allowing readers to get to know some of our personnel better has been particularly popular so we have added an extra, er, “specially imagined” interview with our Chairman. You won’t want to miss that (and we hope he has a sense of humour).
To continue to demonstrate our wares, this issue is printed on Ecofoil DigiSilk Silver 300 g / m2(cover) and IQ Premium 120 g /m2 (inside). As always, feel free to contact us with comments, complaints, corrections and suggestions. We welcome it all.
The Editors themag@denmaur.com
VIEW FROM THE TOP FROM THE EDITORS
HOW TO BENEFIT FROM COMPANY BENEFITS
MEET THE MILL: ARCTIC PAPER: GRYKSBO A VIEW FROM THE OUTSIDE REMEMBERING REMEMBRANCE DAY UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL LETTER TO THE EDITOR A STORY OF THE HEART PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: LARGE FORMAT DEPARTMENT NEWS
WHAT’S NEW: SMART PALLET SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE: EUDR DENMAUR FAMILY CORNER
WHERE’S ANDY? CONTEST RESULTS READ ALL ABOUT IT: PRINT LAMINATION LOOK WHO’S HAVING A BIRTHDAY / DID YOU KNOW? IN VINO VERITAS DOWNTIME
THE LONGEVITY LIST UP CLOSE AND BIGLY
Most full-time Denmaur employees know about the company’s major benefits (medical, pension, death in service, etc.) but not everyone knows about the other “nice to have” benefits that the company offers through its Salary Extras program, all of which can be accessed at https://www.salary-extras.co.uk/
They range from discounts at stores and cinemas to salary sacrifice for bicycle purchases and the Employee Assistance Program offered by Legal & General. Here is a bit more information about them:
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Spread the cost of purchases from Currys over a 12 month period with no interest.
You can choose the equipment and accessories you’d like up to the value of £2000 and you’ll then pay for it over 12 months.
You can apply for the scheme by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ tab. You’ll then need to select the value of the eGift code you want from the dropdown list.
The cards are issued in set denominations so if the amount you want is not shown in the list, you’ll be able to select multiple denominations of eGift cards to total the amount you need. The maximum number of eGift cards you can select is 5.
Once you’ve submitted your order, it will be sent for approval by your company.
After your application has been approved, instructions will be given to the supplier who will then arrange for the eGift card(s) to be emailed to you.
Your eGift card is ready to use straightaway by clicking on the link in the email. You can use it to shop in store or online at Currys where you’ll find a great range of products to choose from.
Your first salary deduction will be made soon after your application has been approved.
Spread the cost of a new bike over 12 months under the cycle to work scheme. This is provided under a salary sacrifice arrangement which means that there are significant tax savings.
The saving is achieved by paying for the bike and/or accessories directly from your gross salary (before tax). This means your income tax and national insurance are based on your salary less the cost of the bike and/or accessories. This means that your income tax and national insurance are calculated on the reduced amount of salary. Hence, the amount of tax and national insurance you pay is less.
Normally, when you get a bike the process looks like this:
When you get a bike via salary sacrifice the process looks like this:
1. You earn your money
thumbs-down thumbs-up
2. You pay your tax
3. You choose your bike and buy it
1. You earn your money
2. You choose your bike and pay for it
3. You pay your tax
A range of discounts available at different retailers (3%-10%)
Employee logs on to the portal and selects the relevant retailer.
Employee purchases a gift card – at this point the discount is applied i.e. £100 gift card costs £95 if the discount is 5%
Employee then purchases item with gift card.
Employee logs on to the portal and selects the relevant cinema
Employee purchases the correct ticket types at the discounted price.
Employee then receives a gift/voucher code.
Employee then purchases cinema tickets on relevant cinema booking website and enters the gift/voucher code.
A number of advice lines and tips are available on the Salary Extras portal to assist with Health and financial planning.
Employees can access hours of wellbeing content to improve their fitness, nutrition and mental health. Simply login to https://landg.spectrum.life/login and enter the access code BeWell. You can also access the same content with the same access code on your mobile phone by getting the Spectrum.Life app from the iOS or Android app stores.
The Myth:
The environmental footprint of digital technology is relatively small.
The Fact:
The
environmental footprint of digital technology is largely underestimated by its users, given the miniaturization of equipment and the “invisibility” of the infrastructures used.
Arctic Paper S.A. is a leading European producer of high quality graphic paper with mills in Poland and Sweden producing numerous types of coated and uncoated paper for printing houses, paper distributors, book and magazine publishing houses, advertising industry and packaging producers. We take a closer look at one of its most sustainable mills.
One of the three mills within the Arctic Paper Group, Arctic Paper Grycksbo is a well-known manufacturer of high quality, coated woodfree paper. Located in the heart of Dalarna in Sweden, the Grycksbo mill originates from 1740, demonstrating a long and successful tradition of papermaking and continuous improvement.
Today, under the paper brands G and Arctic Volume, Grycksbo produces a distinct range of woodfree coated papers for the printing of books, magazines, posters, maps and advertising material.
Grycksbo strives to be one of the most sustainable mills in Europe. Together, with highly certified raw materials and manufacturing processes, Grycksbo’s production is almost 100% fossil free with energy provided by its bio boiler, supplemented only by green electricity sources. In 2007,
the Grycksbo mill was one of the first Swedish companies to achieve the European environmental management system (EMAS).
The other paper mills within the Arctic Paper group are Munkedals in Sweden and Kostrzyn in Poland.
5 distinctive graphical paper products
92% of production is exported
2 paper machines with a trim-width of 2.52m and 3.86m
220k
337 employees (2024)
Production capacity 220,000 tonnes p.a.
The Cradle to Cradle Certified Product Standard guides designers and manufacturers through a continual improvement process that looks at a product’s sustainability through five quality categories: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness.
The full product range of Arctic Paper Grycksbo has been awarded a Silver Level Material Health Certificate as part of the multi-attribute Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Standard. In addition, the entire production process of the mill in Grycksbo was inspected and achieved the Silver Level which therefore represents the overall level of product certification.
In addition to C2C certification, the Grycksbo mill is certified to the ISO 9001 (quality),14001(environmental) and 50001(energy) standards.
CO2 calculations based on recent Defra transport information.
by Managing Director, Jonathan Tame
Many leading organisations attempt to convince their customers to go paperless with claims that electronic communications save trees, are “greener” and better for the environment. Two Sides actively engages with organisations to challenge these misleading and unsupported statements. To date, we have successfully influenced more than 1220 organisations globally to remove or revise such claims.
Founded in 2008, Two Sides is a not-for-profit, global initiative for promoting the unique and sustainable attributes of print, paper and paper-based packaging. Denmaur is one of the founding members of Two Sides and Denmaur’s Vice Chairman, Mike Gee, sits on the Two Sides board supporting the objectives and strategy of the campaign.
As well as the fight against greenwash, Two Sides provides valuable information and a range of resources to help all connected with our industry explain the great and sustainable story of paper and board to businesses and consumers. Our most popular resources are the Myths & Facts and Paper Packaging: The Natural Choice booklets, which can be cobranded with members.
As well as highlighting the misconceptions about the effects of paper and board on the environment, the booklets extol the multiple benefits of paper and board and are supported by a number of facts and independent research to prove their immense value.
Two Sides also produces a range of resources designed to be shared on social media, including a series of mini videos and factographics – small, easily digestible facts that can be quickly posted on any platform or used as part of a presentation.
Our aim is to appeal to everyone involved in the creation of print, from paper producers through to mailing houses, to support the Two Sides campaign, making use of our resources to help tell the great sustainable story of print, paper and paper packaging.
Contact us at: enquiries@twosides.info
The Myth: The production and use of paper is destroying U.S. forests.
The Fact: U.S. forests are a renewable natural resource that is
Q&A WITH JOSH KILBY, COMMERCIAL MANAGER FOR THE MIDLANDS AND NORTH
Josh is one of the key people at our Bardon, Leicestershire facility responsible for the North and Midlands internal team and supporting operations generally for the commercial print division, most recently contributing to large format sales.
His career in the paper business began right out of school and he has been at Denmaur for fourteen years.
He has a five year old son, Jude, who is a big part of his life. Outside of work, Josh’s main passion is amateur rugby but he is also an inveterate traveler.
the mag caught up with Josh at his Bardon desk.
tm: What attracted you to the paper business?
JK: It was a complete accident! I completed my A-Levels and opted against University. I joined the Denmaur Warehouse Team picking orders and unloading vehicles to get some money together whilst I worked out what I wanted to do with my life. I liked it here at Denmaur from the off and the Denmaur management kept pushing new opportunities my way. So before I knew it, what was originally intended as just a summer job has become 14 years and counting.
tm: What do you like about your job?
JK: I like the versatility of my job. I’ve worked in a lot of different roles at Denmaur, with a lot of different people and I’ve never fully left them behind. The skills I acquired from doing those roles and the relationships I have built in various Denmaur guises means that each day brings something different for me to get involved with, be that internally or customer facing.
Most recently I’ve enjoyed working to consolidate and launch our Large Format product portfolio to market, which wouldn’t have been possible without the support and suggestions of various colleagues. It’s been pleasing to play my part in a successful launch, and we continue to grow our footprint in this area of the market.
tm: What is your favourite thing about working at Denmaur?
JK: The people. Denmaur has always been built around good people who are willing to go that extra mile. It has a real family feel to it.
tm: What is your favourite piece of print?
JK: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. My Auntie bought it for me a few years back. It’s very thought provoking and something I often come back to.
tm: How do you view the future use of paper and board?
JK: Paper will always have its place, in my opinion. As people move away from plastic, fibre-based alternatives will surely take preference. Not everything can be done with a screen. Science proves that paper can be more impactful and memorable than digital pieces. Marketers should take advantage and not overlook the unique properties paper offers when trying to engage the customer’s senses. I personally find reading a book, door drop or magazine far better than electronic alternatives.
Away from the commercial print sector, paper-based packaging for food is gaining momentum and is far more sustainable than plastic alternatives, I believe you’ll see more and more major brands switch to paper-based packaging. Fully sustainable paper cups is another concept that major brands and entertainment venues are catching on to. And there’s no better product for it than our plastic free Delipac Cup Silk (sorry, had to squeeze that in).
tm: Why rugby and how did you get started with it?
JK: My Mum and Dad took me down to my local club, Syston RFC, when I was 5 or 6 years old. (I think I must have had 2 left feet when it came to football.) I loved it, and my family have been my biggest supporters ever since. I was hooked not only by the game, but the camaraderie and team ethos surrounding the sport which still plays a huge part in my life today.
tm: What would be your specialised subject in Mastermind?
JK: Marvel characters. My son Jude loves all things Marvel so I’ve picked it up from him.
tm: If you could make a difference with a donation to a charity which one would it be?
JK: Blood Cancer UK – beating this disease is very close to my and my family’s hearts.
tm: Who would play you in the film “Denmaur”?
JK: I asked a few colleagues and they suggested Ben Affleck or Gerard Butler (I expected them to say Rowan Atkinson), but I think whoever it was they’d be a bit busy to play a paper merchant from Leicester!
tm: Of all the places to which you have traveled, what has been the most memorable?
JK: We stopped for 2 nights at Yosemite National Park during a 3-week tour around California. The scenery was unbelievable and it was a perfectly timed two days of peace on an otherwise jampacked trip!
tm: Why do you think our customers buy from us?
JK: Denmaur offers quality products and quality service. But above all, Denmaur is driven by good people who, as I said earlier, will go the extra mile. Customers know that when they choose Denmaur they are choosing a partner who truly cares about and appreciates any piece of business we are entrusted with.
We are approachable, adaptable and will always do our utmost to deliver best in class customer service every time. Our customers trust us to do just that.
The Editor the mag themag@denmaur.com
7 August 2024
Dear Sir, Mike Gee gave me a copy of the mag today and I read it with interest.
As a former employee and shareholder, I recall my time at Denmaur with great pleasure. It was my first experience of the private sector - I had been a career civil servant. I loved the absence of red tape and bureaucracy and the freedom to make decisions and get things done. But there was more to it than that. I found the staff most friendly and likeable. I remember many of them with affection, people such as Mike, Nick, Denise, Ricky, Peter, Julian, Guy, Gavin, Mick, Linda, Dennis and others whose names escape me at present. It really was a family affair in the best sense and I liked everything about it.
When I joined, I was the 27th employee and I had the privilege and pleasure of organising the move from the town centre to Bourncrete House. I wish the company all the best and am sure its success will continue to grow.
Happily, I am still friends with Mike and Denise and long may it continue’.
Tony Pardoe
BY ROD JAMES
Rod James is our Warehouse Supervisor at Bardon. He volunteered this story and we thought it important enough as a life lesson to share it with the rest of the company .
On September 20, 2019, I experienced a heart attack while at work—a terrifying event that I initially didn’t fully comprehend.
Despite feeling unwell, I pushed through my workday, but the discomfort persisted. Finally, after much hesitation, I decided to visit the walk-in centre. There, I was shocked to hear that I needed an ambulance immediately.
I was rushed to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with a heart attack and had a stent fitted. This event marked a turning point in my life, prompting a significant lifestyle change. I quit smoking, improved my diet, and began exercising regularly, even joining a gym.
After nearly three weeks off work, I gradually returned, supported by my understanding manager who ensured I didn’t push myself too hard. Everything seemed to be back on track until the days leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February, I suddenly fell very ill, experiencing severe breathing problems at home. Living alone, I tried to convince myself that I’d be fine and that I could go to work the next day. However, as the night wore on, my condition
worsened. I struggled to breathe and eventually reached the point where I could barely move.
Desperately, I called 999, and the operator stayed on the line with me until the ambulance arrived. I was rushed to Glenfield Hospital, where my oxygen levels were critically low. Throughout the night, the medical team conducted numerous tests, and by morning, I felt incredibly unwell. I remember looking in the bathroom mirror and thinking, “Rod, you look terrible.” Moments after leaving the bathroom, everything went black.
When I awakened, I was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). I had suffered a cardiac arrest; my heart had stopped for eight minutes. I had no memory of what happened, and the road to recovery was long and slow. Regular tests and check-ups at Glenfield Hospital became part of my routine. I received incredible care from the nurses and doctors.
Despite the challenges, one thing was clear to me: I needed to get back to work, not just for the routine, but for the social interaction it provided.
These two cardiac episodes taught me the profound importance of a healthy lifestyle and the invaluable support of friends and family. I have commemorated my life changing event with a tattoo as a constant reminder that life is precious and we shouldn’t take it for granted. So, let’s go out there and enjoy every moment we have.
Denmaur launched its large format range in July, introducing 4 distinctive grades to this market. Large format printing is simply what it says in the name, printing on extra-large sheets of paper and board as well as plastic based substrates. This printing technique is widely adopted for end-use products such as interior and exterior posters, banners, point of sale advertising as well as general signage and display.
It provides an essential print component where impactful visual communication is required – retail, exhibitions, public events and so forth.
Mercury Hi Bulk is bulkier paper with cost saving advantages. This grade provides a comparatively thicker, but lighter large format substrate, therefore enabling reduced paper orders in terms of weight. Available in stock for next day nationwide delivery.
Revive Silk is our 100% recycled coated grade, made from post consumer waste and Carbon Balanced – the ultimate sustainable large format paper. A mill direct offering, standard and non-standard sizes can be provided for your large format requirements.
Our products, being paper fibre based and therefore completely recyclable, are FSC certified (FSC Recycled certified in the case of Revive Silk) and provide a sustainable solution for the short-term use of large graphic print media.
Mercury Silk is characterised by its comparatively high bulk, opacity and rigidity, and a surface that delivers sharp imagery and an intense colour reproduction. Another strong selling point of Mercury Silk is that it’s stocked in 1040 x 1550mm, enabling 3 sections across the bed of the press.
Aura Fold Plus is a multi-layer coated folding box board that is offered by Denmaur as a Reel Fast product. This can provide a sustainable alternative where plastics are normally used for rigidity with the added advantage of bespoke sizing delivered within 5 days from receipt of order.
JULIAN TOWNSEND
The provision of comprehensive data has always been at the heart of the paper management services we provide to our customers who produce magazines, catalogues and books.
Traditionally, a full audit trail from product sourcing through to its actual usage has enabled customers to access metrics necessary to manage and control their paper spend. Such supply chain analysis has also provided customers with valuable sustainability qualifications and logos in recent years, through PEFC, FSC® and Carbon Balanced certifications.
Now, we can also include scope 3 carbon reporting as the latest addition to our paper management service, delivering two important scope 3 category measurements in the form of product manufacture and upstream transportation.
The information within our scope 3 reports is already
proving beneficial for customers and end users who have declared sustainability targets; and as an SBTi registered company, this data also forms a major part of securing our near-term carbon reduction and net zero objectives.
Furthermore, this level of carbon data contained within these reports will highlight the manufacturers and paper grades that best align with customer carbon reduction ambitions. For example, when comparing some of the domestically produced publication paper grades with similar products from regions of Scandinavia, a reduction in CO2 levels can be achieved, even when printing within the UK.
The European paper industry is already one of the largest users of biomass energy, and with the increasing knowledge of the benefits of sustainable forestry, along with our improved paper management service, there is plenty of good news to help promote the use of paper and physical publications.
We have hit the time of year when traditionally our key customers become quiet and in previous times, we would be finding things somewhat tighter.
With the introduction of new stock lines and the push forward of the Reel Fast sheeting concept we have found that things have changed quite dramatically.
Whilst we are not hitting the level of volume through the plant that we have seen in the past, the change in margin for the new products has shown that the wider spread of materials and customers is supporting the facility well.
Tony Hardy is now on board full time with the operation, looking into other avenues of conversion opportunities. These are already showing strong results and our number of trade (own-product conversion) customers has grown. With the added support of his technical knowledge, this is another
opportunity to build on.
As Clive and Michael Townsend are now fronting the new board products, and in particular focussing on the Reel Fast concept, we are hoping to see greater things from this area of the business and further growth into the board sheeting market.
The continued progress of the housekeeping and health and safety procedures are showing that great strides have been made in the overall look and feel of the plant.
All in all, through what is universally accepted as being a difficult time in the industry, we feel confident in the future growth and success of our conversion facility.
Well, so much has happened since my last bulletin in May, time has passed in a flash. Did I miss our Great British Summer?!
The last four months have been a challenging business environment, with the Print sector generally experiencing weak demand and fierce competition for the volumes that are available.
In the last edition of the mag I highlighted our quest to diversify into new markets and new product areas and recent trading has really highlighted this to be the right direction for us.
With that in mind, on to the many positives we have seen!
Our two new products announced in the last editorial are going well with volumes and numbers of customers starting to grow for IQ Premium and Figaro Preprint.
Eurotak, our new self-adhesive range has been launched to the digital market with litho sheets being added as I write.
Reel Fast conversion orders via commercial printers continue to grow well for both paper and board products and we have just added a new range to this conversion service in Revive 100% uncoated reels.
Whilst this is all positive, I have of course saved the best until last, with two exceptional success stories.
The Record Breakers!
Back in May, I alluded to work being carried out on our product offering on Large Format and this has now been formalized into a much wider stock offering to our customers, under the Mercury Silk brand name. Josh Kilby has been instrumental in developing our range from a modest, bespoke, customer specific stock holding and we are now racing forward with sales increasing at a fantastic rate. With plans to add more products for this sector, watch this space for further developments!
And lastly, but by no means least (in fact far from it!) –We continue to see unprecedented growth in our Film Lamination sales under the guidance of Warren Curtis. When you consider two years ago Denmaur did not sell any lamination product, it really is a fantastic achievement. Congrats in particular to Warren and Holly for establishing Denmaur as a key supplier in this product area and one which is still growing!
With several new initiatives currently being worked on, I am sure I will have many more success stories to share in future editions.
This quarter has seen steady progress, with key developments that continue to set us apart in the market. One of our standout achievements has been the performance of Reel Fast. By offering a five-day service, high-quality, competitively priced products, and a mill guarantee, we’ve differentiated ourselves from the competition. This service has been pivotal in attracting more customers from all parts of the business, but maintaining this level of efficiency requires ongoing effort and attention to detail.
I’d like to recognize the team at our Bescot production site. Their ability to consistently meet our high standards has been essential in supporting Reel Fast and other core services. Their reliability has helped us maintain quality during a busy period, and it will be critical as we enter the run up to Christmas.
Looking ahead, we’re also expanding our product range with the introduction of Crescendo 2-Sided and Formakote Spectra Natural, which should help diversify our offerings further. Additionally, we need to continue driving sales of Formakote Spectra.
In the current market there is no doubt the coming months will be challenging but with the right focus and by pushing our unique service we can maintain our growth and continue to deliver for our customers.
We continuously look at ways to improve our service and performance, and a common theme from customer feedback relates to how we can help reduce costs and waste. Reacting to a recent customer straw poll, and utilising the unique resources at our disposal, we have developed a rather clever and elegant solution that provides added value for our customers, and that comes by way of the innovative Smart Pallet.
A Smart Pallet is half the size of its BPOP* standard equivalent –for example: a standard pallet of Amadeus Silk 150gsm in SRA1 is 8000 sheets, and so the corresponding Smart Pallet for this product is 4000 sheets.
Produced at our Reel Fast operation in Walsall, the Smart Pallet is professionally sheeted, knocked up and stacked BPOP so that it feeds the same as a standard pallet to maintain maximum machine efficiency.
The use of a Smart Pallet enables customers to achieve their specified requirements in the most efficient way. The use of a Smart Pallet reduces the waste of oversupply scenario on providing only standard pallets, and it reduces the cost, as well as the added machine time, when providing standard pallets topped up with excessive ream wrapped stock. An example of the effectiveness of a Smart Pallet can be seen in the following tables:
Straight away, we’ve shown that the innovative Smart Pallet can make print more cost effective for customers and end users. It resonates elegantly with Denmaur’s sustainability profilereducing waste and carbon, and this extends to our customers, providing a clever, additional environmental attribute at no additional cost.
It’s always an intelligent move to listen to your customers, and that’s what we’ve done, resulting in the Smart Pallet service. The Amadeus Silk sheet stock range will now consist of standard pallets, Smart Pallets and reams, available for nationwide, next day delivery from the start of November.
*Bulk Packed On Pallet
BY DANNY DOOGAN
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), officially adopted by the European Union (EU) in June 2023, is legislation aimed at preventing the import of products linked to deforestation and forest degradation into the EU market. It will replace the current legislation (at the time of writing), the 2013 EU Timber Regulations (EUTR).
The EUDR promotes the trade of deforestation-free and forest degradation-free products, which means products that are produced without clearing or degrading natural forests.
The regulation targets the import of commodities and products that have been associated with deforestation: cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy and wood, as well as the derivatives of these products, such as leather, chocolate, furniture, as well as paper and board.
Originally, the regulation was due to become enforceable on 30 December 2024. However, due to well publicised economic and political objections regarding the time-scale for adopting compliance, the European Commission has proposed that the implementation date be delayed by 12 months to 30 December 2025 (30 June 2026 for small and micro-enterprises).
With the exception of small companies, operators and traders must perform the same due diligence procedures on affected products as they transact along the EU supply chain. An operator is the first organization to place a product in the EU, whereas a trader is defined as an organization that sells the product within the EU supply chain. The current EUTR only requires operators to perform the due diligence requirements.
A due diligence statement must be submitted and verified prior to products entering the EU as well as moving within products within the EU (at each stage) and exporting from the EU.
In broad terms, the components to compliance are as follows: -
1. Registration on to the EU framework
2. The official description, commodity code and quantity of the product.
3. Country of production (pulp, in the case of paper and board products) including all the tree harvest latitude and longitude coordinates.
4. A risk assessment of the pulp regions, if the product is determined categorised as non-low risk in accordance with the EU register.
FSC and PEFC certification is not sufficient evidence for EUDR compliance, although both schemes are developing their own EUDR due diligence tools.
We are still waiting on an official EU register of low, medium and high risk countries on which to base a risk assessment, but it is obvious that high risk sources will require more risk mitigation measures, which could involve physical audits!
Unless you know for certain that your product will not be traded as a commodity on the EU market, then it is essential that you obtain and register the due diligence requirements to pass them on to your customers.
The simplest way to do this will be via the EUDR framework, although it will come as no surprise that, at the time of writing, the EU Commission has yet to make the EUDR framework available!
Environmental groups will criticize the proposed 12 month implementation delay, arguing that it weakens efforts to curb deforestation and its impacts on climate change and biodiversity. However, a number of challenges associated with its implementation remain, including the costs of compliance to companies and the potential for delays in moving goods across boundaries.
Assuming the postponement will be made legal in the EU courts, the next 12 months is critical for successfully implementing the EUDR.
Originally from Southampton, Warren has been working in the converting division at Denmaur (originally Middleton Vision) for more than twenty years, Warren knows the Pasaban machines and the conversion process inside and out.
How did you get into the paper industry?
What is your favourite thing about Denmaur?
What is your favourite thing about your job?
What do you do for fun outside of work?
When not at work, his big family of wife, Jackie, and four children, Leone, Mia, Aidan and Lara, occupies most of his time.
Who would play you in “Denmaur: The Movie”?
Why should customers come to Denmaur for conversion?
Holiday in the country or on the beach?
If you were able to make a substantial donation to a charity, which one would it be and why?
What would be your best subject at a pub quiz?
Why should people continue to use paper and board?
I got into the paper industry by finding myself out of work more than 21yrs ago, so I joined an employment agency and started the very next day with what was then Middleton paper, now Denmaur.
I feel very looked after as an employee. That’s important in a job. I also love the people I work with having worked with many of them for many years.
My favourite thing about my job is feeling like I’ve accomplished most things that are required of me. I also love it when people come to me if they’re unsure of something, I like to help my colleagues.
Outside of work I enjoy family holidays and relaxing by watching tv/films with a nice cold beer. I spend a lot of quality time with my family and our two dogs. I also love a football game be it on TV or watching live at a stadium. I remain a Southampton fan always!
If there was a movie made about Denmaur, I think Danny Devito would play me because he doesn’t take life seriously, like me.
Denmaur is a reliable firm that puts customers first. All of us take what we do seriously and have a passion for it.
My ideal is a beach holiday especially in the summertime but if I take a short break I don’t mind the countryside either.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital. They do great work and nothing is more important than helping kids who need medical care.
My best subject in a pub quiz would be general knowledge as I know a load of silly yet interesting facts about random things.
People will continue to use paper & board for printing and packaging of many kinds because it is so easily recycled. It is also the best choice for greeting cards, gift wrap, etc., children’s drawings and similar and, of course, good oldfashioned books.
Perhaps steeled by her time in credit control for a construction company where credit and collections can be even more challenging than in the paper merchant field, Ruth has lent her credit expertise to Denmaur for the past six years since she joined the company. She is basically the company “fixer” getting involved in credit or collection issues only when they become a serious problem. That
How did you get into the paper industry?
What is your favourite thing about Denmaur?
What is your favourite thing about your job?
What do you do for fun outside of work?
Who would play you in “Denmaur: The Movie”?
Why should customers come to Denmaur for conversion?
Holiday in the country or on the beach?
If you were able to make a substantial donation to a charity, which one would it be and why?
What would be your best subject at a pub quiz?
Why should people continue to use paper and board?
takes a strong but understanding personality, persistence and a good sense of humour to keep things in perspective all of which Ruth possesses in abundance.
When not worrying about customer credit, Ruth is an avid cinema goer and mother to a 14 year old daughter who shares her love of film. Growing up in north London and a Tottenham supporter she now lives in Maidstone.
I have been at Denmaur for six years. The industry was new to me when I joined and I did find it challenging but I have come to enjoy it.
I think dealing with difficult accounts. It’s satisfying to resolve queries and reconcile problematical accounts.
I think dealing with difficult accounts. Once I have resolved a query or reconciled a problematic account and ultimately get payment, it’s a great satisfaction.
My 14-year-old and I are a bit of adrenaline junkies and we love theme parks. The scarier the ride the better it is!
Kathy Bates – Great actor, appears her own person, has backbone, opinionated and she knows what she likes and dislikes.
The very quick turn around and, professional service and dealing with excellent sales and admin staff.
Definitely the beach, my perfect holiday involves lots of time on a sun lounger with a drink!
Cancer research. Research into diagnosis and treatment will help save millions of lives.
TV and Film. I enjoy going to the cinema and theatre regularly.
Paper is more accessible and much more environmentally friendly than digital media.
Thanks to all who submitted photos for the “Where’s Andy?” contest. It was a very close call but the decision of the judges, who know absolutely nothing about photography, is as follows:
3rd Place and winner of a £25 Amazon gift voucher: Andrezej Plawski as Andy having lunch.
1st Place and winner of a £100 Amazon gift voucher: David Gee as Andy in Mud Bath.
2nd Place and winner of a £50 Amazon gift voucher: David Richards as Andy on Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Skywalk.
Well done to all of the winners and enjoy all of the submissions.
4th Place for sheer cheeky fun and winner of a £10 Amazon gift voucher: David Gee for creating The Andy Dart Board.
The actual film is, in most cases, merely a 12 micron layer that provides a visual, tactile and protective enhancement to print. Not only can it add to the appeal of a printed product, print film lamination preserves and increases longevity - especially when applied to products that are used on multiple occasions, such as menus, playing cards and book jackets.
In terms of our promotion, you may recall the teddy bear image from last year that adorned the leather look film laminated cover of Solutions magazine. This year, we’re adopting the wood effect finish on a dense forestry image, with the slogan “Now you can see the wood and the trees”. In addition to a recent Solutions magazine cover, A5 wood effect laminated product cards were used as inserts in PrintWeek magazine and as part of a Print Monthly hand out pack at the NEC Print Show in September. These are still available from Demnaur’s samples department.
With over 30 years of experience in print finishing sales and technical roles, Warren Curtis is the Sales Director for Denmaur’s print lamination film products, and would be happy to provide expert advice.
November
December
January
February
Andy Buxton / Danny Doogan / Michael Keating / Sam Mills / Nigel Poole / Andrezj Plawski / Ian Williams / Dave Richards / Dave Perry / Holly McMullen
Ricky Hirshfield / Paul Jackson / Robert Thraves / Staci Terry / Lois Lee / Miriam Larkins / Henryk Dlugosz / Mat Tobin / Daniel Thompson / Steven Evans / Klaudia Mik / George Tarta
Anna Berrisford / Andy Faithful / Mike Gee / Stephen White / Piotr Klimczak / Andrew Briars
Deborah Alford / Malcolm Costello / Zach Gargan / Christopher Green / Mark Harsent / Karen Simms / Stephen Hampson / Graeme Richardson / Phillip Ferguson / Ashok Tandel
Alex Bradburn
Dave Arnold
Sarah Marshall
Cheyenne Ennis
Chris Green
Conversion Manager, helped raise well over £1,500 for the British Heart Foundation by climbing Mt Snowden in Wales this past July.
was promoted to Director of Sales, South
was promoted to Commercial Manager, South
was promoted to Transport Manager, Bardon and ably supported by Andy Farmer
has taken on the role of Compliance and Training Manager
BY MIKE GEE
Q: What do you call a meal without wine?
A: Breakfast
Point made. As mentioned in my inaugural A View From The Top column I said I might write occasionally in the future about wine related matters and so I am.
Where does my love of wine stem from? Well, probably from my teenage years when as a family we were invited to join the ship’s company for lunch on the vessels on which my father was a merchant mariner before he went ashore to be a Cargo Superintendent. Those lunches were always accompanied by wine so I received an early education in and appreciation for the grape.
As some readers of this magazine will remember, in my early merchant career there was ample opportunity for me to enhance my appreciation in the pubs, wine bars and restaurants around Fleet Street where many of the mills, merchants, printers and publishers met to conclude business together. (Remember El Vinos, The Printers Pie, The Press Gala Club, The Old Bell and Davy’s?)
All of this is to say that wine has played and continues to play a big part in my life. Unbeknownst to some of you, my wife, Denise, and I have run a small wine merchant called Hot Corks Ltd. for a number of years. It gives me the opportunity to visit vineyards and discover new wines around the world. A recent example close to home is an amazing new winery, Domaine Evremond, near Chilham, Kent, a project started in 2015 between Pierre Emanuel Taittinger and Patrick Mc Grath, an English Master of Wine. I had the good fortune to taste their wonderful Classic Cuvee English Sparkling which will be launched in March 2025 and which Hot Corks hopes to stock. So, always the salesman, let me make a plug for Hot Corks.
Hot Corks mainly sells wines to private clients and some local pubs and restaurants. We pride ourselves on the quality, diversity and good value for money of the wines we sell. With this in mind, let me announce the launch of The Denmaur Wine Shop
To share with our employees our love of wine, we offer all Denmaur employees a 5% discount on all our products. We require minimum orders of six bottles, but these can be a mixed 6. Our ordering, marketing and lists are conducted by e-mail so if you would like to be included in the future or to order, please e-mail denisepgee@yahoo.co.uk
As a starter I will recommend three of our best sellers, which all provide very good value for money:
1. 2023 Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand £10.99/bottle.
2. 2023 Sanziana Rose Recas Cremale, Romania £7.80/bottle.
3. 2022 Vinhas de Pegoes, Touriga Nacional 2022 Peninsula de Setubal, Palmela Portugal £9.99/bottle.
It is a great way to start out and enjoy one of the true pleasures in life. Cheers to you all,
As if managing accounts at Denmaur wasn’t challenging enough, Steve does much more than just take a punt on the ponies every now and then. Since 2011 he has had an ownership interest in a syndicate that has owned as many as 65 flat racing thoroughbreds. Most have been purchased at the Newmarket sales with the proudest performer being Quiet Revolution who won the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
But according to Steve, it is mainly for fun and the thrill of the race to see your horse competing in your colours. When asked how to make a small fortune in the horse racing business, Steve’s reply is “Start with a large one.”
As a way of giving back, Mat Tobin, Warehouse Operative at Bescot, volunteers three evenings a week at Joe’s Gym in Willenhall training members of the Pleck Amature Boxing Club. In addition to his own son, Oliver, (see Mat with him in photo), Mat focuses on training underprivileged kids 7 years old to early 20s. He and the three other fellow volunteer trainers get the kids out boxing as much as possible competing in different boxing shows up and down the country. The whole idea is to get kids focused on conditioning and to learn self-discipline in a safe environment while consuming otherwise idle time and energy that might find them on the streets.
Denmaur has contributed to logo-ed tracksuits and t-shirts that further Mat’s mission of instilling pride in his trainees as they strive to become the best that they can be at sport.
Might Mat wind up training a title contender? “I’ve had a few boys who have gone pro”, Mat says, “so you never know.”
43 YEARS
Stephen Rathbone
41 YEARS
Mike Gee
37 YEARS
David Perry
34 YEARS
Kevin Walls
33 YEARS
Ricky Hirshfield
29 YEARS
Christine Luckhurst
27 YEARS
Julian Townsend
26 YEARS
Martin Travis
25 YEARS
Julie Crayford
24 YEARS
Paul Cooper
Adrian Beckett
23 YEARS
Martin Best
Stephen Hampson
Martin Wheeler
22 YEARS
Doug Jessop
Nigel Somerfield
Danny Doogan
Paul Jackson
Anne Attwater
Sarah Marshall
21 YEARS
Mark Ashcroft
Andy Faithful
Glynn Bunce
20 YEARS
Sean Markham
Warren Jones
Sarah Reed
19 YEARS
Robert Shaw
David Richards
18 YEARS
Steven Evans
Karen Simms
Andy Moore
John Russell
17 YEARS
Henryk Dlugosz
16 YEARS
Andrew Livesey
David Gee
Deborah Smith-Briars
15 YEARS
Jean Stanley
Simon Cartwright
Lee McSweeny
14 YEARS
Mathew Tobin
Ian Fry
Mark Harsent
Joshua Kilby
13 YEARS
Sean Jackson
Sarah Erswell
Parmjit Singh
Christopher Green
Brian Lawes
Eric Clee
12 YEARS
Andrew Farmer
Graeme Richardson
Daryl Bird
11 YEARS
Stephen White
Garreth Donnelly
10 YEARS
Jeanette Gray-Mitchell
Ben Lee
Andrew Buxton
Zach Gargan
Ann Philip
9 YEARS
Duane Percival
Sam Mills
Jake Watson
Andrew Briars
Daniel Thompson
Neil Cobley
Gary Dacey
Marc Savage
Alex Bradburn
8 YEARS
Andrzej Plawski
Anna Berrisford
Deborah Alford
Rod James
Jonathan Thompson
David Hensman
7 YEARS
Malcolm Costelow
Jordan Richardson
Inderjit Malhi
Michael Keating
6 YEARS
Andrew Evans
Robert Thraves
Ruth Moore
Alistair Nash
Ian Williams
Jason Darby
Nimesh Amrat
5 YEARS
Daniel Butler
Piotr Klimczak
Leon Griffiths
Harry Gould
Robert Gould
Stephen Bedworth
Vitalijs Vitkovskis
Alan Wilkins
4 YEARS
Christopher Smith
Matt Groom
Jon Cooper
3 YEARS
Ben Ingall
Cheyanne Lynch-Ennis
Staci Terry
Abdulhamid Aghe
Karlene Rolls
2 YEARS
Lois Lee
Anthony Hardy
Miriam Larkins
Suzanne Miles
Joe Barker
Nigel Poole
Jacek Orlowski
Helena Prusakevica
David Plummer
Bradley Taylor
Keith Hedges
Phillip Ferguson
Molly Martin
Jennifer Stringer
Tafari Ebanks
Robert Kuklo
1 YEAR
Anthony Bennett
David Arnold
Warren Curtis
Simon Bishop
Radek Cybulski
Holly McMullen
Ross Hampson
Klaudia Mik
Gregory Topliss
RECENT JOINERS
George Tarta
Ashok Tandel
Ram Tamang
Clive Townsend
Michael Townsend
Craig Bentham
Derrick Danquah
The Carbon Balanced Paper programme enables companies and organisations to reduce the environmental impacts of their paper-based media and communications.
Between 2016 and 2024, Denmaur, a proud Partner of World Land Trust, has achieved through the positive actions of its customers:
• 5,500 ACRES OF FOREST
• 41 THREATENED SPECIES’ HABITAT PRESERVED
Not many people know this but our majority shareholder came close to running for President in 2016. His thought was “Well, if one New York City business man with no political experience can ride down an escalator to declare his candidacy why can’t I?” Unfortunately, his apartment building only had an elevator so the effect wasn’t quite the same and his political career was short lived.
Not to be deterred, Harry has now turned his attention to applying his keen political skills in the UK paper merchant business. the mag caught up with him recently on the wood free coated campaign trail where he agreed to share his insights about the business.
tm: We hear a lot about sustainability in the paper industry. What is your plan to keep Denmaur at the forefront of that effort?
HG: Well, we have a concept of a plan that will actually be tremendous, so tremendous, the most tremendous plan that the industry has ever seen. We will build on our success with carbon balancing by going on to balance all of the elements in the periodic table. I mean why stop with carbon? Molybdenum may be a little tough because it is notoriously “unbalanced”, if you get what I mean, but we’ll nail all of the others. It will be incredible. So incredible.
tm: Well, that sounds ambitious but moving on, what is your answer to the decline in paper consumption when it comes to publications?
HG: That’s easy. The uncontrolled invasion of digital media into our industry has to be stopped. I mean they’re allowing fake news and phoney conspiracy theories to pollute the screens that all of our children see when they are not following Taylor Swift on TikTok. It’s an absolute disgrace and if it continues you won’t have a paper industry any more. So, my plan is to lobby the government to build firewalls around all online servers that will stop the digital pollution right in its tracks. And also to push for huge tariffs - such a lovely word, ’tariffs’, beautiful word, one of my favourite words - on any digital imports that still get through.
If we do this you will see hundreds, thousands, millions of books, newspapers, magazines, you name it once again being printed. And what are they printed on? Paper! Who knows, I may even read one or two myself (but probably just the headlines or jacket covers).
tm: Turning to a current issue confronting the paper industry in the very near future, what is your opinion of EUDR?
HG: Not my type. Way too un-hot to be seen with me.
tm: No, I mean the proposed European Union Deforestation Regulations coming into effect next year.
HG: Some union. When did they ever collectively bargain for anything? But I bet Biden loves them. I say we forget about the EU and just sell paper to Russia, China, North Korea and maybe, in a pinch, Hungary. They have leaders who know how to make a deal – but not better than me, of course. Everyone says “How will you get credit insurance?” but I will get it – the best credit insurance ever – on the very first day we have an order.
tm: Finally, what is your vision for making Denmaur great?
HG: Well, I know what you really mean is making Denmaur great-ER because, you know, it’s already great. So great. The greatest. And I have so many visions for how to do that. So many wonderful visions. In fact, one came to me in a dream last night…or was it during my nap this afternoon?
No matter. You know Denmaur has always done desk diaries but in this vision I see us doing wall calendars with super-hot pinup girls for each month. You might even call them Super Calendars.
tm: Okaaay. On that note, wow, look at the time, which we have run out of.
HG: But wait, I am just getting started. So many visions. Did I mention not only selling wood free coated paper but entirely FREE coated paper. We’ll make it up in volume. Compete with that Antalis!
tm: Thank you, Mr Gould.
HG: And another thing, everyone who sells carton is bored. What’s that all about? We’re going to Make Carton Interesting Again. It doesn’t work so well on a hat but nevertheless.
tm: Good-bye! Mr Gould
Like swallows to Capistrano, the mag will return in March 2025 with more flight, might and light and:
Department News
Up Close and Personal
Meet the Mill
All About Film Lamination ... and much, much more
BARDON OFFICE: 01530 275500
BARDON WAREHOUSE: 01530 447068
BESCOT OFFICE: 01922 633333
BESCOT WAREHOUSE: 01922 929547
BRISTOL OFFICE: 01173 320863
SITTINGBOURNE OFFICE: 01795 432100
ST ALBANS OFFICE: 01727 738750
SITTINGBOURNE HEAD OFFICE Bonham Drive, Bourncrete House Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3RY
MARKETING: 01795 502144
SAMPLES: 01795 432160
This is your magazine and can only be as good as the newsworthy items we know about. So please don’t be shy. All, and we mean, all news items, comments and suggestions are welcome. Just drop a line to themag@denmaur.com.
