From the reign of Queen Victoria, through two world wars and to the present day the company grew and evolved and can proudly boast a series of ‘firsts’. For example, in 1935, ‘Ariel’ by Andre Maurois, was the first paperback book published by Penguin, who remain a customer to this day. In recent years, the company has become recognised for printing all manner and type of books, hi-end hardback luxury literature items and corporate reporting documentation.

 

Clients include the top UK and North American publishing companies, FTSE 100 Plc’s and leading international design agencies. Modern day book titles include: Oceans for the BBC, Cooking for Friends - Gordon Ramsay, Lewis Hamilton – my story and Russell Brand. Hi-end publications for corporate markets include: Honda V4/Milano, Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club, Aston Martin, Sunseeker and Princess. Corporate customers such as Marks & Spencer, Royal Bank of Scotland and Vodafone have also entrusted the company with their corporate reporting documentation.

BT&D’s long tradition of craft hardback binding has the added advantage of extending the marketing shelf life of the publication and is testament to the innovative technology initiatives that were originally forged in Frome in the early eighteenth century. Some of the many prominent authors who have visited Frome to see their books being painstakingly created include: Lord Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, Frank Muir, Richard Noble, Jamie Oliver, Michael Palin, Delia Smith, Viscount Linley, Terry Waite and Harold Wilson. Charles Dickens grandson worked for the company as a salesman.

  

 

In 2008, the company was introduced to a potential new investor- Felix Dennis, the founder and head of Dennis Publishing. His convergent personal passions for UK businesses and books, led him to the opportunity at BT&D. On becoming Chairman he commented that, ‘Butler Tanner & Dennis is a first class company run by enthusiastic professionals – I’m delighted that my investment might help to restore some faith in the UK’s book printing industry’. Butler Tanner & Dennis currently employs just over 90 people at its printing facility in Frome with an office in London’s West End. An eight person management team caters for the development and growth of the business in the UK, European and North American territories.

 

With its large format printing capacity, the company focuses on three key markets: books, corporate reporting and hi end brochures and catalogues. Corporate integrity and adherence to ethical and environmental business practices, combined with premium quality bespoke products and service to customers, is the foundation on which BT&D is built.