Downey - Our History
In 2003 Downey & Co celebrated its first century of superb craftsmanship in printing and engraving. Founded in London’s West End by Alfred Downey, the company established its reputation as a specialist in fine hand engraving. In 1912 a young apprentice, Harold Wolfenden, joined the company. He was to become one of England’s most accomplished hand engravers, famous for his heraldic work and postage stamp engravings. In 1929 William Turner joined as his apprentice and thirty years later, took over. ‘Bill Turner’ as everyone in the trade knew him, brought in his two eldest sons Barry and Grahame, and introduced machine engraving (cutting edge technology at the time).
By the 1970’s the company expanded into print and under the guidance of William Turner’s youngest son Christopher, was able to build a strong printing business with the same stringent standards of quality achieved with it’s engraving.
As their clients developed, the directors realised that to be successful in a fast changing world, being a fine printer was not enough. To be successful, one needed to work closely with clients and to focus upon their needs, working to their deadlines. From this day, their focus changed from solely printing excellence to one of superb customer service. Downey now regards itself as a service company that prints very fine stationery. Under the guidance of Joseph and Leo, the most recent Turners to enter the business, Downey continues to uphold its reputation for innovation with the introduction of e-commerce and online ordering. Today Downey & Co remains a proud family business with it’s headquarters in London. Acknowledged as one of the finest stationery printers in the country, it remains true to the distinctive values of craftsmanship and customer service developed over 100 years.