This year marks 55 years since Formara first opened its doors in 1971.
55 Years in Business, reaching a milestone like this inevitably makes you pause and reflect. Not just on how much the company has grown, but on how dramatically the industry around us has changed.
Over five decades we have experienced six recessions, enormous technological transformation, and more recently the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yet through all of that, one thing has remained constant. Businesses still need reliable ways to communicate with their customers, and print continues to play a vital role in making that happen.
An Industry that Never stands still
When Formara began in the early 1970s, the print process looked very different to what we see today.
Artwork preparation involved film. Typesetting was manual and paste-up artists were ‘Kings of the Studio’. Printing plates were produced through meticulous craftsmanship. Turnaround times were measured very differently.
Today the landscape has changed completely.
Digital production, data-driven campaigns, and automated workflows allow complex print projects to be produced faster, more accurately and more intelligently than ever before. Personalisation has become a powerful, must-have tool for marketers, enabling businesses to create communications that feel highly relevant to their audience.
Rather than replacing print, digital technology has helped it evolve. Print has become a key part of integrated marketing strategies, working alongside email, social media, and digital advertising to create campaigns that reach customers across multiple channels.
Navigating economic cycles
One of the biggest lessons you learn from operating a business for more than five decades is that economic cycles are inevitable.
Over the years we have seen several recessions that placed significant pressure on businesses across the UK.
For companies in marketing and communications, these moments often bring intense scrutiny around budgets and return on investment. What we have consistently seen during these periods is that organisations value partners who help them work smarter, not simply suppliers who provide a service. That means helping clients find efficiencies, advising on production methods, and ensuring every campaign delivers maximum value.
Resilience in business is rarely about standing still. It is about learning how to adapt quickly when circumstances change.
The Challenge of the Pandemic
A prime example of how Formara has adapted was during the COVID-19 pandemic, where businesses were tested in ways none of us had experienced before.
Almost overnight, entire industries were forced to rethink how they operated.
Despite the uncertainty, many organisations still needed to communicate with their customers, patients, and research participants. In sectors such as healthcare, finance and market research, printed communications continued to play a critical role.
Maintaining production while protecting our team and supporting clients through that period reinforced the importance of strong partnerships and operational resilience.
It was one of the clearest reminders that businesses succeed when they work closely together.
What has not Changed
While technology and processes have evolved dramatically over the past 55 years in business, some principles remain timeless.
Successful print partnerships are still built on:
- Reliability
- Quality
- Service
For marketing managers and print buyers, these fundamentals remain essential. Campaign deadlines are tight, brand standards are high, and expectations around service are greater than ever.
Technology may transform how print is produced, but the value of experienced people delivering exceptional service has not changed.
“Reaching 55 years in business is something we are incredibly proud of, but it has only been possible because we have continually adapted. The print industry has transformed many times over the decades, yet the trust our clients place in us remains the most important thing. Our focus has always been on evolving, investing in technology, and delivering the reliability and quality our clients expect.”
55 Years in Business: Why experience matters
There is something that comes with longevity that cannot be replicated - experience.
Working across decades of industry change provides a deep understanding of the challenges that clients face. From handling complex personalised print campaigns to managing sensitive data securely, experienced teams bring knowledge that goes beyond production alone. It becomes about helping clients achieve better outcomes.
For many organisations, particularly those running large marketing campaigns or research projects, that experience provides an additional layer of confidence. A confidence that is further enhanced by Formara’s ISO accrediations and mature management system.
In the late 80’s Formara was one of the first UK print companies to implement ISO9001 Quality procedures. All our ISO’s, 9001, 14001 Environmental and 27001 Information Security along with Cyber Essentials and FSC form the ‘backbone’ of our operations at Formara and help us to implement continuous improvements throughout the business.
Looking to the Future
Although 55 years in business is an important milestone, our focus remains firmly on the future.
The print industry continues to evolve as new technologies emerge and marketing strategies become more sophisticated. Personalisation, automation, and sustainability are all shaping the next generation of print communications. For companies that have spent decades adapting to change, evolution is simply part of the journey.
Reaching this anniversary is not just about celebrating the past. It is about continuing to support our clients as they navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.
After all, resilience in business is not defined by how long you have existed, but by how well you continue to adapt.
Key Takeaways
Longevity in business is not about avoiding disruption, it is about adapting to it. Over the past 55 years in business, Formara has seen the print industry navigate major technological shifts and adapt to evolving client expectations, demonstrating that resilience is built through change rather than resistance. Surviving six recessions and a global pandemic speaks to the importance of agility and strong partnerships, while print itself continues to evolve alongside digital channels, delivering real, tangible impact for marketers. Through it all, the core principles of great service, consistent quality, and unwavering reliability have remained the steady anchors of long term success.
