A global supplier built on strong family values
Our Company
A progressive & collaborative partner for your business
Heaford is a centre of excellence for prepress efficiency. Key to our success is a deep understanding of the challenges our customers face, and our ability to work closely with them to achieve solutions.
Over 70% of our machine sales are to repeat customers. Our innovations have contributed significantly to the progress of the flexographic industry over the last four decades. We continue to invest heavily in new products and technologies.
40 years of global sales & industry-changing innovation
Our Heritage
Manchester, in North-West England was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th Century and later became the centre of world manufacturing and global trade. Also known as Cottonopolis, Manchester was built on the textile industry. The related industries of engineering and textile printing are the heritage of Heaford.
1980s
John Heaford left George Moulton Successors (GMS), manufacturers of gravure proofing presses and established JM Heaford in Manchester. He re-designed the gravure proof press and developed a flexographic proof press – the first of its kind. The company received its first Queen’s Award for Export in 1987. Several colleagues and global agents joined and remain with the company today.
1990s
In 1990 JM Heaford Limited purchased GMS, and John Heaford designed the first mounting and proofing machine to use cameras and microdot technology. In 1995, a second Queen’s Award for Export recognised the success of microdot technology. Then in 1998, John received a Special Achievement Award from the European Flexographic Technical Association for his outstanding contribution to the industry.
2013
In 2013 JM Heaford celebrated the launch of the pioneering FTS narrow web mounting machine. The revolutionary design – a game-changer in the industry, increased output and deskilled the process. It won the 2013 Production Innovation Award from the European Flexographic Industry Association and is still the gold standard mounting machine for label and envelope converters worldwide.
2016
Drupa 2016 saw the launch of the Heaford AutoMounter for flexible packaging. This was followed by the AutoMounter for labels and envelopes. These machines use sophisticated technology to ensure accurate mounting first time every time, independent of operator skill levels. They help our customers around the world to maximise press uptime.
2021 +
In 2021, we conducted independent research with our global customers and agents. They helped us understand the challenges the industry faces and re-position our business to ensure we are fully equipped to resolve these. Our new brand is underpinned by strong values. In 2022 we’ll be celebrating our 40th anniversary. We feel energised and excited about continuing to work collaboratively with our customers, helping them to enhance prepress productivity.
Our Culture
One team built on strong values
Our focus is on people and relationships and less on numbers. We love what we do. We’re genuinely interested in our customers and their businesses. We want to provide them with the best value, whilst being friendly, caring, collaborative and responsive. We’re a close-knit team that acts with integrity – people you can trust to deliver excellent technical support.
Meet some of our team
SUZANNE FAULKNER
Meet Suzanne, our Finance Manager.
Suzanne is responsible for the smooth running of Heaford’s financial operations. Highly experienced and with Heaford since 2013, she’s passionate about delivering continuous improvement and systems enhancement.
I enjoy walking, gardening, time with my family and Rosie the cat, and cooking.
GARY WILSON
Meet Gary, our Technical Manager.
Gary has an MBA and over 27 years’ engineering & design experience. He's responsible for innovation and new product development and has been with Heaford since 2006
I enjoy travel and anything aviation related.
SALLY-ANNE HEAFORD
Meet Sally-Anne, our Chair.
Sally-Anne ensures Heaford continues to follow our strategies and direction, delivering exceptional solutions to our customers and focusing on growth opportunities, while remaining true to our values. With Heaford since 2002.
I enjoy tennis, and recently running (short distances, and slowly!)
DAVID MUNCASTER
Meet David, our Managing Director.
David leads and supports the Heaford team, developing and empowering our people to ensure we maintain our position as experts in prepress efficiency. He’s been in the print industry for over 35 years and with Heaford since 2016.
I love being outdoors and enjoy cycling and running. I believe every day is a new adventure!
NIGEL HEAFORD
Meet Nigel, our International Sales Manager.
Nigel manages sales in the UK, Middle East, Australasia & East Asia. With Heaford since 1982, when his father, John founded the company.
I enjoy riding motorcycles, hill walking, family time, and the local foods of the countries I visit.
GRAHAM HARRISON
Meet Graham, our International Sales Manager.
Graham manages sales in Europe, Africa, India and Pakistan. He has 20 years’ experience in growing export sales for leading brands in the flexographic printing and label industries. With Heaford since 2013.
I enjoy socialising with friends and watching sport.
NICK VINDEL
Meet Nick, our International Sales Manager.
Nick manages sales in Latin America and the Caribbean. He has 27 years’ technical export sales experience. He speaks native Spanish and English and is fluent in Portuguese. With Heaford since 2013.
I’m a keen tennis player and love scuba diving, with over 700 dives. Passionate about cooking and trying new foods around the world.
ANDY LOMAS
Meet Andy, our Operations Manager.
Andy is Operations Manager. He joined Heaford in 2020 and brings 20 years’ engineering experience to this role.
I enjoy spending time with friends and family, golf, and a couple of beverages whilst watching the local cricket team.