The digital paper pioneer calls it quits and passes the baton to BJ Ball’s ICON Digital Papers as he and some staff shift to be part of the larger corporation.
Longbottom was perhaps the first paper merchant to spot the shift towards digital printing, moving to brand his eponymous company as the industry digital supplier long before the major merchants followed suit. He acquired a raft of papers suitable for toner and HP Indigo papers at a time when the technology struggled to gain exposure.
He will move to BJ Ball in the short term to ensure continuity of service for t=his customers. In a press statement he took care to thank both customers and staff as he moves along.
‘After 43 years in the paper industry, 31 years as the proud owner of Longbottom Digital Papers I have decided, that the time is right to transition to the next stage of my life. With two daughters who have their own careers, I feel BJ Ball provides me with the gradual exit from the industry that I require. I, along with some staff members, who I now take the opportunity of thanking publicly for their wonderful contribution that they have made to the company, will move to BJ Ball to continue servicing your needs.’
As of the 1st December 2014, Longbottom Paper will trade as BJ Ball Papers and relocate to the current BJ Ball premises at Prospect in NSW.