TRANSFORMING THE PRINT INDUSTRY
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| Mal McGowan, founder, McGowran
Printing Solutions |
This print solution company is always one step ahead.
When McGowans Printing Solutions was founded in 1990 colour printing
and the concept of using computers for design was in its infancy. Mal
McGowan saw this emerging market, and initially started producing large
format copies and outputs of plans for the architectural and building
trade. Since then the company has expanded considerably being the first
to introduce several modern printing machines and technology to Ireland.
He now has a staff of over 60 and has turned what was a small copying
business into what has become the largest digital print facility in Ireland.
Ahead Of The Times
“We were always ahead of the times when investing in technology.
Our company grew with the advent of personal computers and particularly
the Apple Macintosh which started to be used in graphic design agencies.
Our business evolved over the years in that we introduced into the Irish
market the first digital Indigo printing press, first flatbed printing
press, and first digital photographic imager so we tended to be first
in embracing new technology which gave us a head start in the market place,”
explains McGowan.
Funding
When McGowan was founding his company he says there was no funding available
to him and other start-ups like him but he says today, 16 years later,
there is a totally different attitude towards funding entrepreneurs.
“I remember when I was starting out the banks would treat you awfully
whereas now it’s more competitive and the banks actually compete for
your business. We struggled at the beginning and we never got any funding
from any government institution because there was no funding available,”
confesses McGowan. “It’s much easier nowadays and Enterprise Ireland
and various bodies are tremendously helpful to entrepreneurs. Back when
we started off there was no funding around for potential start-ups. It was
a much different financial climate in those days.”
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