42-43_Woodmansterne.qxp_Grid 20/12/2024 12:19 Page 2
In Profile… Woodmansterne Publications
“At a time when the world seems less stable, true values mean even more,” believes Seth Woodmansterne, managing director of Woodmansterne Publications. “Business has to be a force for good in what we do and how we do it, and a commitment to sustainability has to be very much part of that,” he adds. Anticipating the imminent arrival of a state-of-the-art printing press at Woody’s mighty impressive Magna Park distribution and soon to be production hub, PG talked to Seth and operations director Adam Osborne about sustainability, rollercoasters and chairs.
PRESSING MATTERS While understandably delighted at becoming a father for the first time in the last year, this is not the only way in which Seth Woodmansterne is looking to safeguard the Woodmansterne legacy, as what is evolving at the company’s mega Magna Park premises in Milton Keynes testifies. “I feel passionate about preparing the business not just for today or tomorrow, but for the decades to come,” states Seth, who now heads up the third generation publishing and brokerage company that was started by his grandfather as a colour slide business back in the 50s. “Investing in Magna Park and moving our production here alongside our warehousing and fulfilment is very much part of that,” he adds. If Woodmansterne had wanted to keep quiet about its Magna Park building it would have a job, as the massive unit with its prominent branding is like a beacon to anyone driving up the M1. But rather than keep quiet, the team are rightfully proud of what must rank as one of the most sustainably advanced premises in the industry. Bursting at the seams in its previous distribution facility, a 42 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
Where do rollercoasters and chairs come into this? As enthusiastic and committed as Seth and Adam are about Magna Park, PG probed to discover their personal passions… with surprising revelations. Seth: “Mine would be chair design. I am fascinated how something that has such a simple function can be so varied and in many cased, so beautifully designed.” Adam: “Rollercoasters, I love them. I like riding on them, learning all about the engineering involved.” Top: Woodmansterne’s state of the art distribution centre, Magna Park, near Milton Keynes was conceived to have incredibly high sustainability credentials. Above: Seth Woodmansterne (left), managing director of Woodmansterne, marking the company’s 70th anniversary in 2023 with his father Paul Woodmansterne, chairman of the business. Left: Awaiting the press! PG’s Warren Lomax (second right) joined (right-left) Woody’s Adam Osborne, Seth Woodmansterne, Louisa Guelch and Rhiannon PryceLewis in front of where the new press will be installed by the end of January.
move had been on the cards for years, especially given the exponential growth of its W Select side, brokerage of John Lewis, Waitrose. And having clinched supplying Ryman Design and the Blue Diamond group in recent months these deals further endorse the decision.