Australian printing pioneer Wal Cryer passes on

Wal Cryer born in 1917, into a prominent printing family that owned the well-established Sydney printing company, W.J. Cryer & Co. (established 1903). He joined the business in the early ‘30’s, until the outbreak of WW2 interrupted his career. He joined the RAAF, learning to fly Tiger Moths and was subsequently posted to England where he served as a Lancaster pilot in Bomber Command for several years – during which time he won the DFC. (Almost uniquely, he and his Aussie bomber crew kept in touch, for over 60 years!)

Upon returning to Australia he re-joined the family business, whereupon he was asked to assume the role of managing director at an early age upon the untimely death of his own father in 1946.

During this early post-war period he was an active member of the (then) Master Printers Association.

It the late 1950’s he learned of a novel new idea involving small die-cut labels with sticky-goo on the back. Upon further investigation it was revealed they came in one size, you could only have black ink, the adhesive did not necessarily stick and, they cost about twice as much as the existing, gum-backed price-marking labels!

Undeterred Wal flew to the US to investigate this new concept and struck up a personal friendship, not only with Stan Avery, but subsequently with all of Avery’s management structure, which then numbered about five people!

In 1957 he negotiated the contract to become the Australian licensee for Avery and hence became the first manufacturer of self-adhesive labels in Australia. As you walk down the supermarket aisle, or the bottle-shop, you cannot contemplate what life would be like without the humble self-adhesive label! Apparently the deal was sealed with a handshake between Wal and Stan Avery – they hadn’t invented corporate lawyers at that stage.

Many overseas Avery management meetings followed, often held at exotic locations, building the great international bonds that became the Avery worldwide group of companies. The 60’s and 70’s were a unique era of growth and prosperity, during which period W. J. Cryers grew rapidly, re-inventing itself from a traditional commercial printer, into a highly specialized manufacturer of custom-printed labels. The list of applications was endless – for all manner of exciting new applications; cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food and beverages. The label segment evolved into the highly sophisticated industry that it is today, as many companies emulated the technology, which W. J. Cryers/Avery had established.

Wal retired in 1977 and soon after, was honored to serve a term as President of the NSW Chamber of Manufacturers. In the late 80’s he was also active in Rotary, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Perhaps the crowning accolade of his career was to receive the LATMA Hall of Fame award. which he was delighted to attend in Melbourne in 2003.

Back in the ‘50’s there was a pioneering spirit, a camaraderie, and an excitement in expanding into new frontiers. The label industry segment itself was a great example of that. Wal was also proud that his company was responsible for training many of the apprentices and sales reps, who filtered into other companies within the industry. He would wish to be remembered by them, hopefully as a mentor, a friend, a good employer and a colleague.

Sadly missed by his wife of 63 years (Mary), son James and daughter Catherine.