Member Article

Printing move gets Royal reception

A Northumberland printing company received a royal welcome this week as The Duchess of Northumberland officially opened their new headquarters on Tuesday. The Duchess unveiled a commemorative plaque at Atlas House, the new £4m home to one of the region’s fastest growing printing companies, Potts. It is hoped that the new production facility wil bring 60 new jobs to the area.

Potts began as a family run business more than 130 years ago and its new home is called Atlas House in tribute to the very first Potts printing and publishing site, established in 1875 in North Shields. The company has moved several times since then, each move due to growth and expansion.

The Duchess enjoyed a tour of the facility with current Potts chairman and chief executive Michael Sandford-Couch, meeting many of the company’s 110 employees. Mr Stuart Couch, former chairman of the company, also presented the duchess with a commemorative copy of the Potts’ new book, entitled ‘Dedicated’.

Michael Sandford-Couch, chairman and chief executive, of Potts said: “Potts is honoured that her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland has officially opened Atlas House. The company has a long and varied history and today marks a new chapter in its development. We have ambitious growth plans in place and I am sure that the move to this site in Cramlington will benefit all concerned for the future.”

The Duchess said: “Thank you very much for allowing me to share in the Potts journey, everything I have seen has been excellent and I take my hat off to you all as I can see what hard work has gone into making Potts what it is today, you have all done a great job. “I have witnessed very good team spirit and I hope to work with Potts again for future projects at Alnwick.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .