Over to You OVER TO YOU


Tony Barnett Managing director, John E Wright, www.johnewright.com


INNOVATION IS KEY IF A COMPANY IS TO GROW. THAT IS CERTAINLY THE CASE WITH JOHN E WRIGHT & CO, WHO HAS RECENTLY PURCHASED AN EFI VUTEK M3H; AS MD TONY BARNETT EXPLAINS.


WHAT IS HAVING THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR BUSINESS AT THE MOMENT? On the sales side, a move to more project-based work, which includes print, but also includes fitting and project management. On the cost side, the constant changes in Employment Legislation are a real challenge.


AFTER 125 YEARS, WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR BUSINESS’ SUCCESS? Good, well-trained and motivated staff who really care, and a commitment to investment in new technology to improve print quality and productivity.


WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BIT OF KIT? Until recently, the Vutek GS3250LX was a contender. After 11 years of faithful service, it was finally retired, and the day it departed the building was an emotional occasion for directors and operators alike.


Then there is the Canon Colorado with its superb print quality, speed and ease of use. We have just placed an order for our 6th machine. But for me, it’s the Zund G3 cutter, which we depreciate


over five years, but you could add another 10. It cuts and routs 24 hours/day, 7 days/week without complaint or breakdown. Keep it clean and look after the tools; it never lets you down on quality, and it’s so easy to use. Probably the best investment we have ever made.


WHAT IS THE BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED? Many years ago in my first role as general manager in the USA, the major shareholder approached me after the board meeting, where I had presented a particularly pleasing set of results, and asked if I would appreciate some advice from a wise old man. He said: “Tony, you’ve done a great job transforming our business from loss-making to being highly profitable. However, there is a greater prize to be had; no less than the loyalty and respect of your workforce.


“Be sure to pass this success you are enjoying down the line to the management team and staff who have helped you to achieve your targets. Tell them how well they have done, involve them, take them out, have a party, do anything that makes them feel part of the mission. Because we are all on a journey, and your job will be so much easier if they believe in you and the mission.”


28 | April/May 2026


WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT? Getting through Covid with almost all of my workforce intact, the same workforce that has just projected us to our record year ever in our 125th year. Hugely proud of the 53 that survived with the company.


WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS GOING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS? That will be my eldest son’s choice; he starts in the business next month. He has a similar background to mine, a science degree with an MBA and, more importantly, 12 years’ experience in the real world, making those early mistakes somewhere else and learning from them. We barely do anything now that we did 30 years ago, and in 30 years’ time, we may not do anything we do now. We must continue to innovate and evolve to meet customer demands.


HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? 31 years. Seems like yesterday.


YOU PURCHASED AN EFI VUTEK M3H PRINTER. HOW HAS IT HELPED YOUR COMPANY? We already had great success with the aforementioned EFI GS3250LX, a rock-solid machine that served us so well. This was followed up with the H5 in 2019. When the GS started to look its age, we looked around at other machines from different suppliers, but when the M3h launched, we knew it ticked all the boxes: great build, great service, excellent quality and no frills.


WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION OF THE PRINTER? With any new kit, we faced a few initial teething problems, mainly due to adapting to a different GUI from the H5 and some minor operational differences. However, EFI and CMYUK helped us through, and it is now our number one machine and copes with everything we throw at it. With the addition of the MEG kit, even sensitive sheet media isn’t a problem.


HAVE YOU LINED UP ANY FUTURE INVESTMENTS? We are always interested in new technology and management tools. Our focus, at this time, is to train the next generation so that we can look forward to another 125 years.


WHEN THE M3H LAUNCHED, WE KNEW IT TICKED ALL THE BOXES: GREAT BUILD, GREAT SERVICE, EXCELLENT


QUALITY AND NO FRILLS


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