We’ve spent the past year celebrating 140 years in business, and as those celebrations draw to a close, we sat down with our Chairman, Henry Ruddock, to hear his reflections on the journey so far, together with his hopes and aspirations for the future of Ruddocks.
Q: Henry, looking back, what does it mean to you personally that Ruddocks has reached 140 years in business?
Henry: When you say 140 years and think about how long that actually is, it’s incredible. Through so many ups and downs, we’ve stood the test of time. I recently read that the average lifespan of a business is just 8.6 years, which makes this milestone all the more special. It tells me we’re serious about what we do, and good at it, too. Personally, I’m delighted to be part of a team that’s achieved so much. I hope I’ve played a small part in that success.
Q: What’s been the biggest change during your time at Ruddocks?
Henry: There’s never just one answer to that. The introduction of digital technology was a massive transformation, and not an easy one. When we first implemented it in the early 2000s, nothing quite worked as it should, even though we were told it would! It changed everything about how we worked.
Another huge shift has been in the working culture. The print industry used to be quite “tribal”; lots of different skills and personalities that didn’t always blend easily. One of the things that marks Ruddocks out today is the genuinely harmonious atmosphere we’ve built. That change has been gradual, and I’d credit a lot of it to Paul [Banton, Managing Director]. He’s had a big influence on how people feel about themselves, their colleagues, and their work.
Q: What do you think has helped Ruddocks survive and thrive for 140 years?
Henry: The key is knowing what needs to change, and what doesn’t. Businesses can’t stand still. One thing that’s been constant for us is that we’ve always been a business-to-business company, helping others promote themselves.
Listening to customers is fundamental. We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions; we tailor everything. That approach, and the long-term relationships it builds, have been vital to our longevity. Many of our team have been here for years, and that continuity helps build trust with clients. Our people genuinely care about what they do, and that shows in the results.
Q: How would you describe the values at the heart of Ruddocks?
Henry: Care and commitment, both to our customers and our team. We really take the time to understand our clients and give them advice that works for them. It’s not just about doing the job; it’s about thinking it through.
With our employees, we focus on support, trust, and encouragement. People need to know their contribution matters. We empower our team to make decisions, take responsibility, and even make mistakes, that’s how we grow.
Q: Do you think that culture and those values are why people stay?
Henry: Definitely. A positive environment has a massive impact on happiness and wellbeing. We spend so much of our lives at work, it needs to be a good place to be.
We also have strong partnerships with our suppliers. They’re an integral part of what we do, and those relationships are built on loyalty and mutual support. Community is another big value.
Ruddocks has been part of Lincoln for over 140 years, and giving back is something we’ve always done.
From supporting local causes to printing vouchers for the FiSH (Food in School Holidays) programme, those little acts mean a lot.
Q: Ruddocks recently became a Certified B Corp. Does that feel like a natural step and what does it mean to you personally?
Henry: Absolutely. We’ve been living B Corp values for decades, environmentally, socially, and within our team. The certification just recognises what’s already been at our core for years. It means a great deal. B Corp is highly respected, and being recognised among some of the world’s oldest certified companies is proof that the way we do business really matters.
Q: Are there any milestones that stand out for you?
Henry: Surviving the 2000s was an achievement in itself. That period was tough, the rise of the internet, cheaper printing technology, and increased competition created a “race to the bottom.” But we believed in the business and kept going.
Another big moment was installing our five-colour press in 2011. It revolutionised our production and is still one of the best-maintained machines in the country, thanks to the pride our team takes in their work.
I’m also proud of the people we’ve brought on board, like Paul and Tris [Palser, Sales Director], and the customers who’ve stayed with us for decades. We never take them for granted.
Q: Looking ahead, what excites you most about Ruddocks’ future?
Henry: I think our purpose won’t change, but how we achieve it will. The continued development of print and digital working together is really exciting. Despite all the digital advances, print remains special, tangible, lasting, and human. Paper still has a place that screens can’t quite replace.
Technology like AI will change the landscape again, but as long as we stay adaptable and true to our values, we’ll continue to thrive.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to future generations of Ruddocks, what would it be?
Henry: Watch the cash! Don’t spend recklessly, be modest and calculated. And above all, maintain your integrity. People remember how you treat them. My father was a man of integrity, and that’s one of the reasons we’re still here today.
Q: What do you think your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather would say if they could see the company now?
Henry: I think they’d be delighted, and probably surprised! They faced their own challenges, wars, economic crashes, inflation, but they made enough of the right decisions to keep the business going. I think they’d recognise the same purpose in what we do today, even if the tools have changed.
It’s been an absolute privilege to be part of this business. Ruddocks has always stood for honesty, care, and hard work, values that run right through every person here. I have no doubt that the same spirit that carried us through 140 years will carry us through the next 140!
