Watkiss founder passes away

Chris Watkiss, founder of innovative industry finishing solutions developer Watkiss Automation, has passed away aged 89, following a short illness.

The UK-based manufacturer’s equipment was particularly popular in Australia and New Zealand with small and medium sized printers.

The company won numerous design awards. Among its innovations was the Square Back technology for booklet making. Watkiss adapted quicky to manufacturing post-press solutions for digital toner and inkjet printing systems.

Watkiss founded the business with his wife Barbara and son Michael. It began operations in 1974. They sold it to Swedish manufacturer Plockmatic three years ago.