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Sabur Ink Systems has been one of the UK’s leading suppliers to the sublimation market since its formation in 1998. P&P editor Melanie Attlesey speaks to Dean Sanger, managing director, on the eve of the company’s 25th anniversary.
Dean is very much the public face of Sabur Ink Systems and Sabur Digital, but the formation of the company would not have been possible without business partner Ian Burton.
Both men met in the early 1990s while working for the same manufacturing company. Dean was the works manager and buyer, while Ian was the production manager. Dean started in the textile industry straight from school at the age of 16, working in a textile mill based in Huddersfield. He worked his way up through the ranks, gaining extensive knowledge of textiles, which would prove crucial in the years that followed.
At the age of 24, he applied for a position as a production manager within a company that had both a screen print shop and a sewing department. It was here that the two men first met.
In 1990, the company that Dean worked for at the time started to use screen print sublimation inks in the manufacturing of umbrellas that previously had been printed using a direct screen ink on to nylon fabrics. “The print onto polyester via a paper transfer media, coupled with the fact you could cover a whole panel with a soft-feel image, completely changed my thought process on screen printing and textile decoration in general. This change opened my eyes to the potential of sublimation,” explains Dean.
Dean approached his then sublimation ink supplier with the proposal of becoming their UK sales agent. An agreement to sell white label Italian sublimation ink was reached in June 1998. At the same time, he was approached by one of the world’s largest screen print ink suppliers and asked if he would become their UK textile specialist. “This proved to be the catalyst which gave me the confidence to consider the formation of a specialist supply company to the emerging sublimation industry,” explains Dean.
Quick growth
And so, in 1998, Sabur Ink Systems was formed and registered as a result. The company was to quickly become the largest supplier of sublimation screen inks in the UK, selling over 30,000kg of pre-mixed colours along with clear bases and concentrate inks for self-mixing. “This cemented our position as the UK’s leading supplier of sublimation inks,” he adds.
The sublimation industry in the UK has changed significantly during the last 25 years and Sabur has been there throughout. Dean recalls that perhaps the most notable of these changes was the transformation from screen print to digital print. He says that this change in technology caused a drop in the sales of screen sublimation ink of over 25% over a two-year period.
He adds: “Our investigation into digital sublimation had to happen and happen fast. We invested in several printers before we set out our table with the trusted Roland DG brand.” Sabur’s product portfolio now extends to include printers and finishing equipment from world-leading brands including; DGI, Mimaki, Roland DG, Differo, Klieverik, Sefa, along with a digital cutting solution from iEcho. All of this equipment is housed in Sabur’s 2,500sq ft showroom.
Continuing to move with the times, later this year Sabur will introduce its own brand of direct to film equipment, films and adhesive powders to ensure the correct adhesion to the fabric type. The decision was reached after months of due diligence and monitoring the impact DTF is having on the garment decoration market.
“Over the years machines have got sexier, faster, sharper and most importantly, more cost-effective, says Dean. In the near future Dean envisages a change in manufacturing, shifting to become a more automated workflow with the introduction of digital cutting machines. With the introduction of an automatic cutting machine with a rear mounted camera, cutting without the need for cut lines is enabled ensuring a constant workflow.
Silver milestone
Of course, you don’t hit the silver milestone without racking up some memories along the way. One of Dean’s personal proudest moments was when he picked up Sabur’s first-ever van from the sign writer and saw their livery emblazoned all over it. “This was a bright yellow ex-Tarmac van that still had the flashing beacon adorning the roof!” he laughs.
Dean also recalls the conversation he had with Ian when they were approaching their first ever million-pound annual turnover: “He laughed at the very thought. When we actually hit the target, I was proper chuffed – proper Yorkshire terminology of course,” says Dean.
Both Dean and Ian’s sons have now joined the family-run business, bringing different attributes to the company. Aaron Burton is now head of sales and the general manager, while Harvey Sanger is an engineer covering the whole portfolio having been trained in the OEM factories. He heads up the service department.
It is clear from speaking with Dean that he loves his job and everything that comes with it. “I love the industry, the people, the creativity, the banter, just the whole aspect of being involved in an industry that we have been proud to be a significant part of throughout its growth over the years. With the consistent growth in the textile industry and a return to manufacturing in the UK, I can only see continued growth for Sabur. With a second generation of each family involved in the business covering both sales and engineering, I think the future is bright for team Sabur.”
When asked how he plans on marking the 25th anniversary Dean replies: “Anyone who knows me will know that it involves beer!” But on a more serious note, he adds: “As an individual I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the last 25 years and I can honestly say it is a privilege to be involved in this industry. I have and continue to meet some great characters and I look forward to meeting many more in the future.”
