Caxton Press bounces back from Christchurch earthquakes

Rising from the ruins, Caxton Press embarks on fresh future with new building.

The 75-year-old Christchurch-based printer was dealt a major blow when earthquakes wreaked havoc in New Zealand two weeks ago (see pictures below). Last week, the Wednesday aftershock caused further complications, knocking about the company’s two Komori presses.

“We heard a big bang,” recounted Bruce Bascand, managing director. “One jumped about three inches and the other about three quarters of an inch, but they’ve been realigned now and are up and running again.”

The damage would be enough to put a dampener on most people’s spirits, but Bascand has remained positive. “I made a decision last Friday not to worry about the things you can’t control and instead to plan for what you can control,” he explained.

Of Caxton Press’ complex of five buildings, only the historic stand-alone front building, which dates back to the 1880s, was ruined beyond repair and will be demolished tomorrow.

“It’s an iconic Christchurch building and the aftershock on Wednesday was a terminal one – it was a really violent jolt,” he said.

Last Wednesday proved to be the hardest day for those at Caxton Press, owing to the aftershock that occurred. “We sent everybody home – people were in tears and in a pretty bad state,” Bascand said.

All 35 of Bascand’s staff have returned back to work. He added that none of their homes were significantly damaged. “The incredible thing is that no one in Christchurch was killed,” he said. “If the tremor hadn’t struck in the early morning, it could have quite easily happened.”

Bascand has already met with an architect to discuss the new building that will replace the road-front operation. “We don’t want a clone of the building,” he said, adding that it also gives the company the chance to move forward: “The exciting thing is that we’re 75 years old and now we’re starting a new era.”

Though he received offers of support from printers across both the south and north island, Bascand acknowledged the damage will have some negative effects on the company.

“Ironically, we had a good month in August, but there will be a big dip this month,” he said.

Ruth Cobb, membership services manager at PrintNZ, said that a palpable optimism  remained within the print community at all times.

“People have just done what they need to do and got on with it – that’s what we need to do,” she said.