Page 2 - Authentix Insider Sept 2020.indd

COMPANY UPDATES
AROUND THE
WORLD
before
after
New look & feel of refurbished Authentix Ghana Office. Very welcoming for our clients and visitors.
Socializing together for first time in August
Busting at the Seams in Consett
By Paul Craig, Director of Operations, Authentix Security Print Solutions
In all the time I have worked at Security Print Solutions (going on 35 years), we had mostly worked in one building unit. When it all began, our office was very small but today we are pushing 32,000 square feet, 3 separate buildings, and many lines of printing presses and finishing equipment. Throughout 2019, we considered opening an additional facility for the following purposes:
• A contingency plan – just in case anything happened to the main operating unit (I hear two simultaneous, but spontaneous disasters are very unlikely, but you never know... better safe than sorry).
• More working space for our employees since it was getting to be a very tight squeeze - Like as in tighter than a four-year old’s grip on a piece of rock candy!
• Greater capacity for growth. Don’t they say, ‘build it and the business will come’? Well we’ve built it and here they come!
Last December, we obtained a new building located practically next door to our existing production site. Suddenly, I had 25,000 square feet of blank canvas to reconfigure, move, modify, and all that stuff we’ve been aiming to do. So, the first task at hand was how and when to do what. Our official lease date didn’t start until July 2020, so the
first few months after we took possession, all I could do was use it as a winter playground for my two dogs, Charlie and Jasper - that’s me by the way with the funny looking legs!
Over the last three months, the space has been transformed by putting in electric points, compressed air, UV drying piping, racks for paper/WIP, and ultimately our first printing press – the 32M long certificate press!
We will add more presses in this building as we win more orders and the plan is to run alongside the main unit with up to 10 web presses, which could give us capacity to reach £30M in revenue! So, at this point, the only ones who lose out are poor Charlie and Jasper, who now must make do with the car park.
Ghana Office
Adjusts to Changing Times
By Donna Chinery, O&G Program Ops Management - Ghana
Two years after settling into our new office space, we have finally completed the finish out including new decor and aesthetics. The new look exudes a welcoming and attractive setting to receive our external clients. After months of deliberating, we all agreed on the new theme and overall look for the office which included the incorporation of Authentix corporate colours as primary elements. In addition, attractive galvanized shelving has been added to the designated maintenance room along with a functional work bench which helps us fulfill our role as primary maintenance depot and regional hub for O&G device management and repair.
The unexpected COVID 19 pandemic instantly and dramatically altered the way we work and responded to the business needs of our clients and the needs of our team members. This ‘new normal’ has been difficult
to navigate; however, we quickly adjusted to the changing conditions around us. For example, during the nationwide lockdown, we started holding weekly Friday ‘happy hour’ sessions where we virtually got together, and both caught up on matters and even were able to blow off a little steam. These sessions were kept open and lighthearted to encourage everyone to share experiences and vent feelings on how the pandemic was affecting both their work and family life.
At the start of the pandemic our fun loving Eventix was put on hold which was disappointing to everyone. However, we’re using innovative virtual measures including restaurant curb side pickups and
takeaways. Recently in August, we finally had our first in dining experience together as
a group and it was such an immense relief to be returning to our old way of
socializing. We look forward to a return to our previous way of life although we expect that our learnings from these events
will help us to be better than before.