Page 9 - BOSS Today Issue 4

Crime-fighting
Project Genesius

Obituaries
Criminal gangs obtain stamps provided by Guild members based
and specialist printing equipment outside London has resulted in Mike Williams
from legitimate suppliers and successful prosecutions by their
use them to produce thousands own police forces. Mike Williams, who died last “At Staedtler he was not only
of fake identity documents. The current emphasis for November, was a conscientious their chemist but QC (Quality
Project Genesius is the ongoing Project Genesius is to spread the member of the WIA Technical Control) Manager as well. Hence he
partnership between the rubber word about the voluntary code Committee. At the latest committee brought much practical expertise
stamp and printing industry and of conduct across the industry’s meeting, Geoff Jackson; Former to our group, which he was always
the Metropolitan Police set up to various customer groups – Technical Committee Chairman willing to share. He kept himself
tackle this problem, and prevent contract stationers, buying/ paid tribute to him as follows. well versed with the legislation
equipment and supplies getting dealer groups, wholesalers and “Mike was a friend as well as a affecting our industry and was a
into the wrong hands. equipment distributors – and colleague and a very good servant major contributor to our Handbook.
Although the initiative encourage these companies to to this organisation. For some years “It was my honour to represent
originated in London and is sign up to it. If more companies he had been our sole expert in the WIA at his funeral. He will be
currently run by the Metropolitan do not do this, legislation may be industry chemistry. sadly missed.”
Police, the problem is not brought in to enforce the code.
confined to London and the John Osborne
South East. Illegal document n FOR MORE INFORMATION
factories are found nationwide – CONTACT PHILIPPA MORRELL The Pilot Pen Company (UK) tumour, John did not fully recover
and criminals also try to source ON 0845 450 1565 or Limited is saddened to report consciousness. John, who retired
the equipment from all over the BY EMAIL AT philippa@ the passing of former MD John in 2006, had 47 years experience
country. In the past, information bossfederation.co.uk Osborne on 24 May 2010. John in the office supplies industry.
had recently been diagnosed with He is a past chairman of a BOSS
RSMG Out of Town Weekend a brain tumour and following Federation branch and of The

an operation to remove the Writing Instruments Association.
The annual Rubber Stamp 2010 at the Swan at Streatley
Manufacturers Guild Out in Berkshire. EMAIL philippa@
of Town weekend is open to bossfederation.co.uk Facts
all members, non-members, TO REQUEST THE 2010
suppliers and manufacturers OUT OF TOWN WEEKEND The total value of
to the industry. This year, the BROCHURE AND the Printing Hardware
weekend will be held from BOOKING FORM. market in 2009 was
Friday 29 - Sunday 31 October £2,900m - the same
as the current GDP of
Bermuda.*
*Includes Single Function Printers & Multi Function
Printers (both 3 & 4 in 1) from GfK Panelmarket, which
includes sales out from Retail and Business markets
January to December 2009 in value terms.

On average,
inkjet cartridge ink
costs 10 times as
much per millilitre
as 1985 vintage
Bollinger
champagne.

Data courtesy of GFK, www.gfkrt.com/uk, the providers of the BOSS Market Tracking service. For further
information please visit www.bossfederation.co.uk and click on the Market Tracking Service page.

June 2010 | BOSS TODAY 9