100 years of innovation

The Company was formed in 1896 by Mr. Arthur Richardson Timson, initially repairing shoe machinery in the cellar of his parents' house in Kettering, England; soon afterwards his family moved, and the business continued in a workshop at the bottom of the garden of the new home.

From repairing shoe machinery, Arthur Timson started to manufacture to his own designs and also began to sell, repair and produce bicycles - which had become very popular in the 1890s. This led to the development of the 'Ketterina,' a single speed motorcycle with a small De Dion engine. By 1907 the Company was also moving into the printing machinery market.

Ernest, the only son of Arthur Timson joined him in 1920 and together they ran the Company until Arthur died in 1954. During this period, Timsons established its reputation as a leading manufacturer of web fed rotary presses, printing letterpress and gravure.

The development of the 'Wun-Up' business forms press in 1949 was certainly one of the most important milestones in the Company's history: this utilised the benefits of the flexibility of the new rubber letterpress plates to make a small size versatile web press with exchangeable print cylinders, covering a wide range of sizes. With the coming of computers, this press was developed to produce zig-zag folded packs of stationery complete with perforation and sprocket holes.

1929 marked the production of the first Timson web fed rotary press with in-line folding, and low volume production of presses for books continued through to the 1960s. However, it was in the 1970s that the Timson 'T32' book press was introduced and within a few years this had become the company’s flagship product. Development of book presses continued with the launch of the 'T48A' at Print 97 in Chicago.

Timsons today looks a very different company from when it first arrived on its current site in 1903: at that time motor transport was in its infancy and equipment was often despatched by horse and cart. A twelve year investment programme, recently completed, has created a modern office building housing administration, production control, design, R&D and sales. Behind this frontage a new 1,500 sqm assembly and test area has enabled the Company to reduce costs and improve efficiency of production.

A partnership for profit

When you buy a Timson press, you get far more than just a press. You have Timsons’ commitment – the beginning of a partnership between our two companies. It’s our way of doing business which started in the 19th Century, and which will grow and develop well into this new Millennium.

The Timsons commitment starts with a sales team dedicated to ensuring that the press you purchase meets your individual requirements. And it continues through all the 250 people based at our headquarters in Kettering, England.

A team of research and development engineers continually develops new concepts and processes, while Timson electrical, electronic and mechanical engineers use the latest CAD system to interpret your requirements and design the press that meets your needs.

At Timsons we listen. Innovations come not only from within the Company, but from our understanding of the special needs of our customers.

Timson parts are produced in our own foundry and manufacturing unit. A continuous investment in machine tools ensures that all components are made economically to high standards and fine tolerances.

Every press is erected and print-tested in our assembly hall before despatch, making sure that your investment performs from day one.

And when you need help and advice, Timson service engineers are on hand. Based in Kettering and Chicago, they complement the knowledgeable support available from our network of agents around the World.