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www.stephensandgeorge.co.uk
THE EVOLUTION OF
STEPHENS & GEORGE PRINT GROUP by Vanessa Jones
“STEPHENS & GEORGE THE ELECTRIC PRESS” WAS THE NAME OF A SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYING 3 PEOPLE ESTABLISHED IN 1912. THE FIRM WAS LOCATED IN A FIRST FLOOR TERRACED OUTLET IN 20 COMMERCIAL STREET, ABERDARE, SOUTH WALES
The area was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution and was steeped in tradition with a skilled workforce reliant on employment within the local ironworks.
In fact Aberdare was once called the “Athens of Wales” owing to the large number of printers in the town. Between 1854 and 1865 and 1903 through to 1911 a new press was established on average every two years.
THIS NEWLY FORMED COMPANY OWNED ONE OF THE FIRST EVER ELECTRIC PRESSES
This newly formed Company owned one of the first ever electric presses installed in the UK, previously printing had been conducted on presses run by steam. Even back then, this fledgling firm believed in the value of investing in the most recent and advanced technology.
Over the course of the next few decades the business blossomed and “Stephens & George The Electric Press” quickly established itself at the forefront of printing within the South Wales valleys. A key source of income was derived from specialising in printing for Non-Conformist chapels. 1946 proved to be a watershed year for this small Company.
Mr William George and Mr David Stephens, the founders of the firm, retired and transferred the business over to three senior members of staff. These were Maldwyn Jones (son-in- law of Mr George), R.F. Davies and W.J. Wilcox, son of W.Wilcox Printer. In the process Messers Jones, Davies and Wilcox incorporated the business into Stephens & George Ltd. This proved to be a beneficial move for within four years the business continued to flourish and they relocated to new premises on Cardiff Road, Aberdare.
In 1959 Gareth Jones, son of Maldwyn Jones, was introduced into the business and due to continued success ten years later, Stephens & George relocated to nearby Merthyr Tydfil. 1975 was a defining moment for the Company as S&G continued with its
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