Happy New Year to all our customers and colleagues and thank you
for your support during what was the most successful year in the history
of our company.
Highlights of the year included the astonishing response to Centura
Pearl, which now accounts for 9% of our total sales. Our alliance
with Tullis Russell has also paid great dividends, with dramatic increases
in sales into the Education market, and we now have huge growth opportunities
with the recent acquisition of Webmaster.
The Spring Fair is upon us again, giving the chance to chew over market
issues with others in the industry. On the Slater Harrison stand,
you can
catch up with key figures such as Mike Braddock, Managing Director
for almost 30 years, and his wife, Lynda,
our Sales Manager, both of whom have a wealth of industry knowledge.
They will be supported by Lyn Preston,
Keith Hewitt and Andrew Branton -all familiar faces who will be delighted
to see you there. 
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 Innovation
key to
Webmaster success
 Webmaster,
the newest addition to the LS Dixon Group, is a company dedicated
to innovation and product development. Specialising in the supply
of self-adhesive materials for the labelling andidentification markets,
Webmaster spends much of its time and resource on new developments
for niche markets.
Webmaster was established in 1986 with one ultimate goal: to become
the most successful supplier of innovative self-adhesive materials
in Europe, if not the world. Initially, the company developed products
for hot foil and thermal transfer printing, sold through exclusive
distribution channels. Since moving away from exclusive distribution,
Webmaster has expanded into other markets, producing products for
flexographic, laser and screen printing, among others.
The company now employs sixteen people with an annual turnover of
around £1.5m, selling mainly to commercial printers and distributors.
However, with the company’s reputation for innovation, a number
of new markets have been identified and developed, such as wallpaper
and contract coating. The association with Slater Harrison can only
contribute to the growth of these new markets.
With a joint commitment to product development and the expertise
available at Slater Harrison in coating and at Webmaster in adhesives,
some new opportunities have already been identified. One of the
first examples is a self-adhesive,
 Day-Glo
universal paper, which is compatible with ink jet, laser and copier
print technology, ideal for short run label requirements.
Webmaster’s range of materials includes paper, vinyl, polypropylene,
polyethylene and polyester. Many products have been designed to
withstand extreme conditions; for example, the WebTech range will
resist solvents, making it ideal for use within car engines. Webmaster
has also developed adhesives for many different applications, from
standard peelable and permanent adhesives to those for freeze-proof
and skin-contact applications. The company is able to apply any
of its adhesive systems to any of its materials, making the product
range completely flexible. Lesley Gibbon, General Manager
and a member of the founding family, believes that Webmaster’s
strengths lie in four main areas: service,
product reliability, technical back up and the development of application
solutions. She says, “Confidence continues to grow at Webmaster
in terms of quality, service and product development. For example,
the WebTech range of top coatings, a joint project with Slater Harrison,
is already a great success in the labelling market. We have some
great new products planned for 2001, including unique laminates
incorporating some stunning materials from Slater Harrison’s
range. The whole team here in Rochdale is looking forward to a busy
and exciting new year.”
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