Murrays the Printers Ltd commenced business on February 9 1950 as Lithographic Plate Makers and general Printers.
The company was formed by the Murray brothers near to Fleet Street in Central London and was primarily set up to fulfil a demand for the printing plates of the lithographic presses which they were importing from America and supplying across the UK.
Within a few years the company and moved ahead under the whole ownership of Nicholas Murray to Dufferin Street, London, EC1, an area very well known as the printers patch of the City.
In 1956 Peter Chard joined Murrays Photo-Lith Services as it was then known, as an apprentice. Three years later Tony Martin joined the business, the two quickly struck up a partnership and in 1973 bought the company off the retiring Murray.
The company grew to become one of the premier reprographics and platemaking suppliers in London and with expansion on the agenda they acquired Dufferin Press to give the business a ready made print facility.
Murrays were now producing some 10 million front pieces for Charles Letts Co, the 200-year-old diary company.
Over time Murrays became more of a print company in its own right.
Then in 1988 as areas around the City of London became popular with property developers the decision was made to sell up and head to a new town described as progressive, promising and ahead of its time.
With Patrick Chard, son of Peter now on board, the company developed their range of printing machinery and finishing equipment.
Soon enough they had established a reputation as the quality printers for the area and in 1995 a decision was made to change the name of the company to Murrays the Printers.
In 2000, Tony Martin stepped down as Managing Director and sold his shares to Peter and Patrick with Patrick taking over the reins at the head of the business.
The company continued to grow as Patrick made the decision to bring in a state-of-the-art digital press and the acquisition of Stephen Casey-Green’s Stantonbury Parish Print.
Murrays currently supplies litho, digital and wide format print in the local area and is primarily a business to business provider. Products include stationery, business cards, leaflets, brochures, catalogues, booklets, envelopes, posters, folders, newsletters, postcards, invites and price lists.
