Growth & Jobs | Herald Printers – JN, TEF boost helps sustain century-old brand

After more than a century in operation, Herald Printers is charting a bold new course for growth powered by innovation, sustainability, and strategic reinvestment. Having benefited from a Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) loan facilitated through JN, the Kingston-based printing house has used that support to strengthen operations, modernize equipment, and expand its footprint across multiple industries.

Preserving its legacy of family ownership, the company, established in 1922, was first operated by the Richards family before being acquired by the Browns in 1979. From its base at 43 East Street in Kingston, Herald Printers has grown from a small local print shop into a trusted partner within Jamaica’s tourism industry.

Rodger Brown, second-generation managing director, has noted the company’s growth and its commitment to environmental stewardship.

“We have been able to strategically acquire equipment and systems that reduce waste, reduce use of electricity and water in our production of items, and use additional substrates (printing surfaces) that have higher eco-friendly value,” he explained.

“In addition, we have the only carbon-neutral print engines in Jamaica that print the highest resolution in the industry. We also have wide-format print engines that are Green Guard Gold and Eco-Logo certified that use water-based ink, which are solvent-free and have no volatile organic compounds which are better for our staff, clients, and the environment,” he said.

Brown also highlighted that the introduction of eco-friendly systems has further enhanced the company’s ability to deliver top-quality prints with exceptional speed and efficiency.

A major boost for the business came eight years ago when it accessed a Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) loan through JN Small Business Loans (JNSBL), which at the time was the premier retailer of the loan. Now offered through JN Bank’s Business Banking Unit, the loan provides affordable financing to small and medium enterprises that focus at least 30 per cent of their operations on serving the tourism sector.

For Herald Printers, which supplies large international hotel chains, that financial boost came at a crucial time which enabled the company to remain competitive. The company prints marketing materials, signage, and decoy for the hotel industry.

“The support from the TEF loan allowed us to grow revenue by investing in capacity building equipment and systems that are aligned with environmental policies that the stakeholders in tourism and other industries require,” Mr. Brown disclosed, adding that “This resulted in us onboarding additional team members and expanding our services to our clients.”

DIVERSIFIED OPERATIONS

Brown noted that the tourism sector currently accounts for about 40 per cent of the company’s annual revenues, and with plans for additional hotel rooms and expansions across the country, they are anticipating further growth.

Gillian Hyde, deputy managing director of JN Bank, explained that TEF loans empower small and medium enterprises to expand their operations and invest in essential equipment and materials which in turn promote development in the tourism sector.

“This assistance helps businesses to remain competitive in a global market and also strengthens Jamaica’s tourism industry by ensuring local enterprises can deliver high-quality products and services, create jobs, and contribute to sustainable growth across the sector,” said Hyde.

“By providing access to affordable financing, small and micro entrepreneurs are enabled to innovate, improve efficiency, and take on larger projects that they might not have been able to before. This, in turn, allows more local companies to compete confidently on the local and international stage.”

Brown pointed out that the prolonged closure of several industries, particularly tourism, during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the company’s operations, the effects of which continue to be felt.

“We saw a falloff in revenue of approximately J$100 million. As such, we had to pivot and launch into signage, wide format and digital printing,” he pointed out.

Beyond the tourism industry, Herald Printers has diversified its operations, offering wide-format, LED, offset, and digital printing, as well as graphic design, home décor, and finishing services to clients in finance, education, manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare, which reflects its ability to continuously adapt to the evolving needs of its customers.

Recognising the fast-paced changes in print and communications, the Herald Printers has introduced solutions, enabling clients to streamline operations as part of remaining competitive.

“The Herald offers ‘just in time’ solutions that allow clients to reduce the dependence and cost of warehousing and storage, along with the cost and risk of campaigns becoming outdated. Clients can order just what they need when they need it. In addition, it allows the clients to avoid the issues and nuances of logistics and shipping,” he said.

Currently employing 48 team members, Herald Printers continues to invest in talent, innovation, and partnerships that will secure its legacy for generations to come.