British Paper Machinery News


Jarshire - 40 years young!


working for an American W


manufacturer that supplied air shafts and chucks to the paper, packaging and converting industries. He had helped this


company establish a foothold in the UK and thought why work hard for somebody else


ay back in 1979, Peter Jobson had decided to start his own business after


October 2019 is a milestone in the growth of Jarshire Ltd, being the start of its 40th year in business.


“


when he could do it for himself! At that time, it was possible to buy an ‘off the shelf’ company name from Companies House and start trading straight away. From the list Peter chose the name ‘Jarshire’ the reason simply being it began with J - for Jobson, and he lived in Berkshire - hence ‘shire’. Consequently, Jarshire Limited was established to become an agency supplier to the paper, packaging and converting industry. From the humble beginnings of one or two small sales agency agreements and contract packing services, and with his wife Myra working part-time from a back bedroom, Peter strived to grow his business with contracts with larger and more significant manufacturers. During this time, present day director David Jobson can remember his first job for Jarshire when, at 12 years old, he packed plumber’s spares, copper piping, washers and taps into plastic bags and stapled cardboard headers on to the bag! Myra went full time for Jarshire and kept the accounts in order for the next 35 years until she retired. She had fantastic product knowledge on what shaft or spare part was required, even without visiting any customers to see their application.


In 1989, as business increased and the back bedroom was no


longer appropriate for a growing company, Peter and Myra bought an office in Slough, UK. Myra ran the office while Peter, representing European suppliers, travelled


extensively over the whole of the UK and Ireland. It was around this time that Peter was approached by the Italian company


Svecom PE with an invitation to


become its agent for air shafts, chucks and reel spools. This agency is going strong to this day with over 95% of UK tissue mills using Svecom reel spools on their machines. Business continued to grow and Peter recognised he needed help so, over Christmas dinner in 1990, he asked his eldest son David to come and work for him. At first David turned him down but, at the fifth time of asking, and with the promise of a company car (he had a 10 year-old, mustard- coloured Ford Escort at the time) David agreed to work for his mum and dad.


David spent the next six months


travelling the country with Peter, learning about the


products and, more


importantly, meeting


customers. A notable


Myra Jobson was


knowledgeable on all the company’s products


3


Svecom was Jarshire’s first agency


Jarshire regularly attended exhibitions over the years - here back in 1984


occasion was his first business trip to Scotland during a raging storm. David remembers, “Lorries were being blown over in front of us as we drove up the M6. During the first night in a top hotel in Glasgow (top according to Dad!), the temporary cover for the roof that was under repair was blown off and came straight down into my room.” Over succeeding years more agencies were added to the Jarshire portfolio. Increasing sales required additional personnel and brother Nick joined the company in 1991, becoming a fellow director with David in 2010. Additionally, Bruce McNair joined to look after growing sales in the paper and tissue industry. Following Bruce’s sad passing, David Smith joined the


team,


taking responsibility for sales and customer care in the north of the UK. Meanwhile, the company was very proactive producing magazine articles and attending exhibitions such as Papex, Ipex and Drupa.


Since then the company portfolio has continued to grow with both brothers now as directors such that Jarshire now has one of the largest product ranges of any supplier to the UK paper and tissue industry ranging from the original major supplier, Svecom, through to the most recent additions of ST Macchine and Schafer Rolls. In these complicated times, the major German company Schafer has an interesting approach to Jarshire. In response to the question, “Are you not worried about Brexit?” the answer was, “Nein. We want to sell into the UK and, with your help, will make sure we offer the right service, quality and price to meet the demands of our customers.” Today, Jarshire says it approaches the future with optimism. The company is pleased to announce that a third


The Jarshire team (l to r) David Smith, Lucia Jobson, David Jobson, Peter Jobson, Nick Jobson, Saraid Loughman and Julia Carton


In 2007, after almost 30 years in the business, Peter decided to retire in order to spend more time walking in faraway mountains and being a grandfather. Three years later Myra also decided to hang up her keyboard and spend more time on her great passion, buying dresses for her


granddaughters! Sadly, Myra died in 2015.


News and views from the British Paper Machinery Suppliers Association Issue 83


generation of Jobson is joining the company. On 1 October 2019, appropriately Peter Jobson’s birthday, Lucia Jobson, daughter of David commenced an apprenticeship in Business Administration.


Jarshire Limited David Jobson


+44(0)1753 825122 +44(0)1753 694653 sales@jarshire.co.uk www.jarshire.co.uk


October 2019


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