OUR STORY
1912
Davenport Printers relocated to the Columbian Printing Works in Harehills around 1912.
1888
Davenport Printers was founded by John Henry Davenport in 1888 located in Meanwood, originally as a manufacturer of accounting ledger books.
1955
In those early days, Davenport’s had the distinction of supplying ledgers to the Royal Household and payment was received in the form of a cheque, personally signed by Queen Mary herself!
1960
In the 1960’s, Philip Davenport’s father, Bryan, had a chance meeting with Wilkinson’s Confectionery of Pontefract. This proved a hugely positive move. As a result, the Company started to move away from the production of ledgers, which were decreasing in use due to the advent of early computers and in to the production of labels.
1970
With that, the Company grew. Davenport’s gained big customers, such as John Smiths and Samuel Smith’s Breweries, and Bryan invested in a large-format printing press which was dedicated to printing labels, non-stop, five days a week.
1993
In 1993, Philip joined the business, and as printed gummed labels began to give way to self-adhesive labels, a decision was taken to install the companies first flexographic roll label press. This proved something of a watershed for Davenport’s.
2020
Theo Davenport, Philip's son joined the business as MD Designate making Davenport Printers a fifth generation family business.