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“The distance between print and signage “It’s not easy but I don’t work on the
was quite far before because signage was weekends like I used to,” he laughs,
considered almost an art. But now with noting his day usually begins at 5:30 a.m.
digital, it’s come much closer together so he can connect with all three shifts
and the technology has gotten so much that keep M&T Printing’s operation going
better.” 24 hours a day. “I think it’s important to
Keeping pace with technology is a key walk the floor and I do talk to everybody
component of the company’s continued and see what’s going on.”
success, says Dean. The other component Dean says having passion and not being
is its employees. afraid of hard work are characteristics
The tactile experience of a holding a most entrepreneurs already possess, but
finished printed product is something “We treat all our staff right,” he says. there are more.
that hasn’t lost its appeal for Dean “People do come and go, but we do have
but has only been enhanced thanks to a very strong core group of employees “You have to be able to take a little bit of
technological advancements which saw and that makes a difference.” risk and must be flexible and willing to
the company go from needing printing Having that dedicated team and the latest pivot at any time,” he says. “You have to
presses at each of its locations to digital equipment has assisted M&T Printing in be willing to think outside the box.”
boxes as it continues to transform to a maintaining a solid client base, which This advice has served the owners of
‘hub and spoke’ model with centralized includes companies in the education, M&T Printing well as they look towards
facilities. insurance, and manufacturing sectors the future.
with multiple locations nationwide. “The drive is still there, and opportunities

“But we still do a lot for the B to C are crossing my desk all the time,” says
companies,” says Dean, adding no job Dean, noting there are many printers
is too small and that M&T Printing staff looking to get out of the business. “I’m
do their best to accommodate every still excited about this industry and I still
customer. “It’s much different now. Back want to see us grow.”
in the day my dad had two weeks to do
a job, now you’ve got two hours and you
have to be able to do that.”
To keep pace with customer demand,
“Because we did jump into the Dean says there is a great deal of
technology, it helped us get involved ‘juggling’ required to co-ordinate orders
with more things than we were involved and that good communication with staff
with before,” he says, referring to book at every facility is paramount.
publishing and the growing audience for
one off books. “The audience for that is “There is a lot of logistics and yo-yoing
100 percent there and that’s exciting for going on and it works,” he says. “Part of
us.” our success is we try not to say no to any
job.”
When it comes to ensuring the job is done,
Dean has always taken a very ‘hands on’
approach and it’s not unusual to find him
operating a press when needed.

As well, Dean says the company’s
decision a few years ago to branch into
signage – a service it provides via its
facilities in London, Guelph and Welland
- was a real game changer, especially
during the pandemic.
“Everybody wants a one-stop shop,” he
says, referring to M&T Printing’s wide
range of products and services, which
include flyers and business cards. PHOTOS BY BRIAN RODNICK & M&T PRINTING GROUP

www.cambridgechamber.com Summer 2024 41