Company history
From humble beginnings only two decades ago, the Antony Rowe Group now has a £13m turnover and employs 230 people across three sites. Here are some of the key dates in our development:
1983 - Antony Rowe builds his pioneering short-run book manufacturing facility in Chippenham, Wilts.
1991 - The company is the first manufacturer in the UK to install Xerox Docutech for short-run printing.
1996 - New technology means our Chippenham plant now offers print-on-demand (single copy) book and looseleaf production.
1997 - As well as short-run, we expand into medium-run books, journals and looseleaf products.
1998 - A busy year. Our new computer to plate (CTP) systems are installed . Also we buy more printing B1 litho presses and binding lines (hardback and paperback). Plus, we extend our warehousing and fulfilment facilities are extended.
1999 - We acquire Tradespools of Frome and can now provide the complete publishing solution. It's a company well known in the digital graphical and communications field for its expertise and ability to combine traditional skills with the latest technology .
2000 - Our strategic partnership with Gardners Books of Eastbourne creates Europe 's first book on-demand manufacturing centre.
2001 - A major investment programme at our Chippenham site sees the factory extended to house new Heidelberg Speedmaster B1 press and upgrades of our CTP technology.
2003 - New 24 station Kolbus Ratio Binder installed for paperback production, along with new additional folding and automated sewing machines.
2004 - Antony Rowe Publishing Services launched to help authors and self-publishers get into print. Books are manufactured on demand and distributed in a global market.
2005 - Antony Rowe becomes part of the multi-national CPI Group. Book distribution and fulfilment services extended to offer greater choice and flexibility to publishers.
