Long-established commercial trade finisher Kensett prides itself on being a very hands-on family-owned business, with a low turnover of staff. They are based in Hove, Sussex, and service clients – more than 30 printers and several designers – across the South of England.
Originally founded in 1881, Kensett created sister company K&L Laminators just over 30 years ago to extend its finishing services to the printing trade and bring all services under one roof with a one-stop finishing solution.
Kensett and K&L Laminators, which employ 30 people on site, cover the complete gamut for finishing and laminating solutions. From trimming and folding, through to PUR, Perfect Binding and Burst Binding, newer finishing techniques for Kensett include thread sewing, bograma and singer sewing as well as a wide variety of laminating applications. Silk screen, foil blocking, embossing, die-cutting and creasing are also important for the businesses.
Another subsidiary, PJI Packing, covers hand-working specialists including collating, hand folding, gluing, inserting and taping, plus eyeletting.
CEO Emma Miles, brother James Wheeler and her husband Darren Miles are the three company directors. They are third generation business owners: Emma and James’s grandfather took over Kensett Ltd in the 1950s and their father Ken Wheeler set up K&L Laminators.
A variety of finance has been sourced through Compass Business Finance over the years to keep Kensett at the forefront of print finishing.
CEO Emma Miles said, “I’ve been involved in 20-plus deals with Compass, and previously Bruce Nelson, since I became involved more than 30 years ago. Our strategy has been to upgrade every five years. We finance it over three, then earn money over the last two years.”
Most recently Kensett has won new work contracts after investing in wire binding and heavy-duty punch machines made possible through Compass.
Emma said: “Mark will go over our plans from a financial perspective and provide us with a good range of options moving forward. It is a good relationship. If I email Mark and he can’t talk straight away, he will let me know when he can. I always feel that Mark has the time for me. He will listen and then say it straight. I trust him.
“There are not many businesses like Compass that will listen and look after us. It is difficult to put into words. It is the relationship, the trust. But yes, they still must come back with a good offer!
Emma added: “For me, Compass always sees the bigger picture. The whole team have a good feel for where the printing industry is going and have our interests at heart. It is not just a business deal.”
