Ruddocks at 140: A celebration of history, community, and innovation

On Thursday, October 10th, Ruddocks officially launched a year-long celebration to mark an incredible 140 years in business. The historic White Hart Hotel in Lincoln provided the perfect setting for an evening filled with gratitude, nostalgia, and excitement for the future. Surrounded by valued clients, dedicated staff, long-time partners, and members of the Ruddock family, the company came together to celebrate this significant milestone and recognise the many people who have shaped their story and contributed to their success.

It was a night to remember, thanks to everyone who joined the celebration in the beautiful setting of the White Hart. Shaun Smith from Kamara Photography captured the evening’s best moments, while guests danced to live music from The Funky Town band, featuring Ruddocks’ own John Thomas on the drums, and were wowed by the amazing magic of Scott Perry.

‘Managing Director Paul Banton share his thoughts:

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate this remarkable milestone. It’s been a privilege to be part of Ruddocks for the past 25 years. I’m incredibly proud of the organisation we’ve become and all we’ve achieved since 1884. Thank you to everyone who has made our story so special!”

140 Years of Craftsmanship, Innovation, and Community

Ruddocks’ journey began in 1884 when John William Ruddock and his colleague E. Keyworth took over Charles Akrill’s printing business in Lincoln. As the 20th century unfolded, Ruddocks quickly became a trusted supplier for the growing engineering, agriculture, and railway industries. In 1904, a pivotal move to consolidate operations at 286/7 High Street paved the way for new growth and expansion.

The company’s resilience saw it through world wars, economic shifts, and evolving technologies, leading to expansion into markets in London, Birmingham, and even overseas. By the 1950s, Ruddocks was at the forefront of industry advancements, continually embracing new technologies and pursuing further development, with the stationary shop and the printing side of the business rapidly evolving into two separate operations. In 1969, the print works moved to purpose-built premises on Great Northern Terrace in Lincoln, to enhance the company’s capabilities and support increasing opportunities. The 1980s saw the introduction of offset lithographic printing, enabling Ruddocks to meet the evolving needs of its growing client base and maintain its leadership in print innovation.

The new millennium ushered in a creative evolution, transforming Ruddocks into a fully integrated design and print agency, with services broadening to encompass branding, digital printing, marketing campaigns, and website design and development. The transition to a creative production agency in 2023 further cemented the company’s commitment to offering comprehensive creative solutions to clients such as copywriting, merchandise, animation, and marketing automation, to name but a few.

Looking Ahead

As Ruddocks celebrates its 140th anniversary, the company remains focused on innovation and sustainability. With goals such as achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, it is committed to a future that balances responsible business practices with the quality and craftsmanship that have defined its legacy since 1884.

The year ahead promises to be a continued celebration of history, community, and progress, as Ruddocks looks forward to the next chapter on its journey.