FIRE LEAVES LES BADDOCK IN WAIT AND SEE MODE

One of the country’s oldest trade houses, Les Baddock Bookbinders, has suffered a major fire at its Sydney facility, leaving the company clearing the debris and waiting on its insurance.

Simon Ashmore, managing director of the business, which is more than 100 years old, said, “It is our intention to be back up and running as soon as possible. Right now though we are still focused on the clean-up, and trying to work out the way ahead.”

Two firefighters were injured tackling the blaze at the company’s Lewisham factory, which was exacerbated by magnesium blocks used in the trade. It took 15 fire trucks and 60 firefighters to tackle the blaze.

Les Baddock Bookbinders is a specialist binding house, founded by Les Baddock at the beginning of the last century, and today marries traditional skills with modern techniques. It services the print trade, offers bespoke binding and restoration, and binds student theses.

It has grown over the years through its strong customer relationships and by incorporating other bookbinding companies such as LJ Cullen, JA Martin Reeve, Trade Ruling & Binding and Peckham Binding.

Ashborne said, “We value our customers and they value us. We will work out the way forward in the coming days.”