About Whites

1899

William Henry White was born on the 7th November 1899

The original founder of the business, William Henry White was born.

1926

William Henry White, who was a miner, began printing during the general strike

During the general strike of 1926, William Henry White began printing to raise funds for the children in the village of Ludworth to buy shoes and clothes. The miners held out for more than six months, but were forced back into work for less pay and longer hours.

1939

Printing supplies were difficult to obtain due to WW2

William Henry White continued his interest in printing but the advent of WW2 meant that supplies were difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.

1945

WW2 ended and William Henry White took to printing full time

After the end of the war, demand for print increased and supplies became more readily available, enabling William Henry White to make printing his full time job, operating from his workshop in the garden.

1947

Business expanded

When William Henry White’s son, also William Henry White, was de-mobbed from the army he joined the growing business alongside his mother, Phyllis, who was also enlisted to help from time to time.

1959

Land purchased on Front Street in Ludworth

Land was purchased on the Front Street in Ludworth and work began to construct a larger premises in order to house the growing business.

1960

Building works completed and occupied

The new premises on the Front Street in Ludworth were completed and new machinery installed, allowing production levels to be increased.

1965

Founder, William Henry White Retired

William Henry White took a step back from the business to allow his son to take on the responsibility of running it.

1966

Further building works

An extension was added to the building, constructed by William Henry White’s younger son Bill, who was a bricklayer by trade.

1970

The founder’s grandson William Henry White entered the business

Whilst attending the Newcastle College of Arts and Technology School of Printing, to complete a 6 year apprenticeship, William Henry White entered the business.

Late 70’s

Square footage of the building was doubled

With the need to increase floor space due to the large amount of work from Working Men’s Clubs, further building work was undertaken, so that posters, show tickets, prize draw tickets, bingo tickets and number/letter draw tickets could be produced, in addition to increasing work from other growing companies in the area.

Late 80’s

Extension to the Ludworth premises was completed

Another extension was added to the building to fulfil the need for more floor space, due to the organic transition from the specialised club work to a more varied customer base.

Early 90’s

Offset lithographic production methods were adopted

Due to demand for longer run lengths, job types and print specifications, the business adapted with the introduction of offset litho printing, rather than the more traditional lead type letterpress, which had been utilised until this time.

Mid 90’s

Macintosh Computers and Desktop Publishing Software were installed

With the arrival of offset litho printing presses and more complex job types being requested, the business introduced Macintosh computers and the latest desktop publishing software packages to the artwork studio.

Late 90’s

Digital production methods were embraced

Due to demand for short run multiple page manuals, the business adapted with the introduction of single colour digital production machinery and further finishing and bindery equipment.

Early 00’s

Digital production capabilities were increased

As the demand for short run colour jobs was increasing, the business regularly updated and expanded its digital production machinery. The current digital press not only offers full colour process printing but can also produce white, silver, gold, clear, fluorescent cyan, fluorescent magenta, and fluorescent yellow to a wide variety of sheet types and weights.

2011

Limited company created

WHW Print Limited was created when two longstanding employees joined William Henry White as directors of the new incorporated company.