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THE SURREY DIGITAL STORY

1972. It was the year that saw the launch of the space shuttle program, digital watches and scientific calculators. ABBA and The Eagles were on the radio, and his and hers jumpsuits were all the rage. Digital printing was still more than 20 years away.

1972 was also the year that Bill Cotterill started his career in the printing industry. He sold equipment and supplies to printing companies across Canada, many of which are now long gone. He would come to know the blueprint printing industry—more commonly known as reprographics then—inside out.

In 2009, 37 years into his career, Bill decided it was time to run his own show. He was Vice President of Canadian sales for an equipment supply company when he spotted an opportunity in a small, three-person printer based in Surrey, BC.

Surrey Digital Printing had been offering reprographic and blueprint services since it opened its doors in 2006, and had earned a reputation for quality printing and second-to-none customer service. Why not take that expertise and excellent service and become a one-stop shop for reprographics customers? With that vision in mind, Bill bought the company in November 2009.

Over the next few years, Bill took over three other small printers. Early on, he recognized that by acquiring new printing equipment and the latest technologies, Surrey Digital Printing could not only offer customers more printing solutions, but better quality and faster service, at competitive prices.

That’s really only part of the story, however. As Bill puts it, the real key to success for any business isn’t technology: it’s its employees. He instituted profit sharing and bonuses based on service excellence. He made sure his staff shared a stake in the success of their business. The results? A loyal staff dedicated to wowing customers, exceeding expectations and going the extra mile—no matter what they’re printing that day.

Now in his late 60s, Bill has handed much of the day-to-day operations to son Jared. He’s enjoying wintering in the south, and time with his family and friends. While he may be spending more time putting than printing these days, he still keeps an eye on the business he has grown from a three-person operation to a staff of 13. Or as everyone prefers to say, their “Surrey Digital Printing family.”