History

When John Trouern Trend met Alfred Latimer in Plymouth in the 1880s, little did they know that their decision to set up a printing business together would have such far-reaching and long-lasting impact. 

Today, more than 120 years later, Latimer Trend is recognised as one of the oldest-established printing companies in South West England with a nationwide reputation for high quality printing of prestige journals, books and directories.

The business was set up in 1889 as Trend and Company and remained so until 1930, when it became Messrs Latimer, Trend and Company.

On May 2nd 1946 the Company was incorporated as Latimer, Trend and Company Ltd.

Ethel May Trend, Alfred Latimer’s daughter, joined the company in 1901, aged 14, and rose to the position of Chief Accountant. She eventually retired on November 1st 1957, after 56 years of loyal service. 

Over the years, Latimer Trend has had a number of owners. First, Messrs Faber and Faber, the London publishing house, purchased it. It was then acquired by David & Charles Ltd, book publishers, based in Newton Abbot, Devon. 

Since 1981, the company has enjoyed a considerable period of stability. A management buy-out, led by John Turner, acquired the company and took it from strength to strength despite many changes in the world of printing. In July 2004, Mr Turner sold the business to the current management team.

Bob Mills, the Managing Director who led the 2004 buy-out, and Ian Gelsthorpe, Production Director, have more than 40 years joint experience in the printing industry. Together with Roger Harris, Chairman and Ian Crocker, Finance Director, they have taken the company into the 21st century with an excellent reputation for quality and reliability that befits an organization with such a long and proud heritage.

This history of Latimer Trend is based on the information compiled and edited by Brian Moseley on Plymouth Data website (http://www.plymouthdata.info/PP-TrendJT.htm) to whom we are indebted.