INTRODUCTORY

On 26th February, 1953, the printing house of W. J. Cryer & Co., founded as a small business partnership, will have completed 50 years’ service as Printers and Publishers. To commemorate the Jubilee, it is considered fitting to tell the story of progress, from small beginnings to a Company with Commonwealth-wide connections.

Of all the crafts, printing is one of the oldest, and has always been associated with material development and progress. Early Australian printers adopted the methods with which they were familiar. Their successors, however, with colonial initiative introduced methods to suit Australian conditions, meanwhile keeping in touch with developments in the craft in England and America.

The growth of W. J. Cryer & Co., from its small beginning in 1903 to its present position among the largest and most progressive printing establishments in the Commonwealth is a magnificent example of Australian enterprise and ingenuity combined with unswerving loyalty of employees.

THE FOUNDER

The story of W. J. Cryer & Co. has its beginning in 1862 when, at Manchester, England, was born Walter James Cryer. His parents moving to Liverpool, he there attended a public school until he was eleven, when he commenced work as an errand boy. He entered the printing world, being bound as an apprentice to the then well-known firm, F. M. Jones & Co., Printers, Derby Road, Bootle.

It is on record that W. J. Cryer “served his time to the utmost satisfaction, and he remained a considerable time in the capacity of foreman.” Having a desire to gain knowledge and experience in fine work, he took up a postion with Mr. Howden, Printer, in College Lane. Afterwards he was employed for some time in the business at Red Cross Street by Messrs. McCorquodale & Co.

At the end of 1862, Mr. Cryer left Liverpool and came to Australia, and on arrival accepted a position with Mr. A. W. Beard. He transferred his services to the firm of Gibbs, Shallard & Co. (whose successors were McCarron, Stewart & Co.), Hosking Place, Sydney, being appointed leading compositor on fine work. In the early hours of 2nd October, 1890, a fire occurred in the premises of Messrs. Gibbs, Shallard & Co., and proved one of the most disastrous known in Sydney.

Consequent upon the total destruction of the business, Mr. Cryer became Factory manager for Messrs. John Andrew & Co. “The Art Printer,” London, August, 1896, contains the following tribute to Mr. Cryer’s ability as a craftsman: “His productions speak for themselves, both as regards good taste and effectiveness, and have won for him a reputation second to none amongst the trade at the Antipodes as an artistic and master-craftsman.

His decorative and effects are invariably of an artistic and well-balanced character, and he is an adept at the tasteful arrangement of effects in plain and fancy rule with execution of the most finished order.” By virtue of his business acumen and integrity, his ability as a craftsman and his qualities as a citizen, Mr. W. J. Cryer gained for himself recognition as a Master Printer and a respected place in the social and commercial life of Sydney.

In 1934, the Company suffered a severe loss by the death of Mr. Cryer, Senior. Despite advancing years, he had maintained an active interest in the business, although leadership had for some time devolved upon Mr. Walter J. Cryer, Junior. His father had realised the fulfillment of his ambition to found a business which would continue to play a part in the future of the country he had come to love.

GROWTH OF THE FIRM

In 1903, Mr. W. J. Cryer became associated with Mr. J. Brunton Gibbs (late of Gibbs, Shallard & Co.), and on the 26th February was founded the business of “Gibbs, Cryer & Co.,” Printers and Publishers, at Hamilton Street, Sydney. The room in which their small plant was installed – two small Platens and a few cases of type – measured only about 12 ft. by 27 ft.

As early as 1904 the business had outgrown the Hamilton Street room, and a move was made to larger premises at 169 Castlereagh Street, (now the site of the Masonic Club). The Firm’s first apprentice records – “I well remember my first day. Mr. Cryer interviewed me and I believe a mutual understanding was apparent. Mr. Cryer was a thorough tradesman, a shrew businessman, rather conservative in his views, but always a gentleman.” “I well remember my first day. Mr. Cryer interviewed me and I believe a mutual understanding was apparent. Mr. Cryer was a thorough tradesman, a shrew businessman, rather conservative in his views, but always a gentleman.”

In 1920, Mr. Cryer purchased Mr. Burton Gibbs interest, the firm’s name then changing to W. J. Cryer & Co. Demand for the Company’s products was rapidly increasing and in 1935 the large modern building at Marriott Street, Redfern was completed, and the transference of the business was carried out. In 1939, a second property was acquired adjoining, and thus was completed “Cryterion House”.

On this second property, is a two storey factory and an extensive residence for the caretaker and catering requirements for employees. Though it was considered that the buildings in Redfern would provide adequate space for the Company’s needs, in 1948 it was necessary to re-occupy a portion of the premises at Arnold Place, still owned by the Company. THE DIRECTORS It was while the business was located in Castlereagh Street that Mr. Walter J. Cryer (II), began his apprenticeship in 1908.

Having completed his apprenticeship, he decided to go abroad for further experience, so he worked his way to America and, after twelve months, returned to take on the responsibilities of Factory Manager. In 1919 Mr. C. Stuart Cryer (now Managing Director), younger son of the Founder, became associated with the business. In 1923 the business was formed into a Limited Liability Company.

In 1928, Mr. Cryer, Senior, attained twenty-five years as a “Master Printer” and to celebrate the occasion his friends in the printing and allied trades gave him a Silver Jubilee dinner. Tribute was paid to his accomplishments as a Master Printer, and references made to the manner in which he had upheld the tradition of the printing industry.

Expressions of appreciation were conveyed to him for the valuable service rendered as a member of the Executive Committee of the N.S.W. Master Printers. He served continuously on this Committee from 1915 up to the time of his death. He was succeeded as a member of the Executive Committee by his son, Mr. Walter J. Cryer (II), until 1943, who, in turn was succeeded by his brother, Mr. C. Stuart Cryer, who was also President of the Association for the years 1947-49. In 1934, Mr. W. J. Cryer (III), son of Mr. Walter J. Cryer, and grandson of Mr. W. J. Cryer, Senior, entered the business, serving an apprenticeship as did his father.

Thus a third generation of the Cryer family became associated with the firm. Upon the death of the Founder in 1934, his son, Mr. Walter J. Cryer, was appointed Managing Director. Mr. W. J. Cryer (III), was appointed to the Board in 1940. Mr. Walter J. Cryer (II), on medical advice, allowed, from 1943 onwards, the active oversight of the business to transfer to his younger brother, Mr. C. Stuart Cryer.

However, the death of Mr. Walter J. Cryer occurred in 1946. He had proved a worthy successor of his father, and had greatly expanded the business patterned on the Founder’s original plans. In 1946, Mr. C. Stuart Cryer succeeded his brother as Managing Director. Mr. Cecil E. Slinn, a grandson of the original Founder, was, in 1951, appointed to the Board.

KEEPING AHEAD

It has ever been a major objective of the Company to keep well ahead with the latest manufacturing ideas and numerous trips abroad have been made to realise this objective. Mr. Walter J. Cryer (II) went abroad in 1913 for the purpose of studying trade developments and to purchase new plant and machinery. Whilst he was only 21 years old, he could see the benefit from overseas experience and the trip materialized into twelve months printing experience in America.

Upon his return to Sydney a tremendous impetus was given to the firm’s operations. He implemented a policy of “specialized service to individual customers,” continuance of which proved an important factor in the firm’s progress. Mr. W. J. Cryer, the Founder, combined business with pleasure and, in 1926, made a return trip to his homeland. He went via America, he purchased the first of the larger rotary presses, and returned via Suez. In 1929, Mr. Walter J. Cryer (II), visited England and the Continent.

Again new plant and machinery were procured. In 1935, Mr. C. Stuart Cryer proceeded overseas to buy additional plant. In 1938, the Managing Director, Mr. Walter J. Cryer, prompted by a desire to keep abreast of the latest developments, made his third visit abroad, visiting Engtland and the Continent, returning via America. Mr. W. J. Cryer (III), was twenty-one years old in 1939 and, at the expressed wish of his father, was sent to America and the United Kingdom for the purpose of extending his knowledge of the printing industry.

It was a coincidence that, upon war being declared in 1914, Mr. Walter J. Cryer (II) was in America, to study the printing industry, and in 1939, upon the declaration of World War II, his son was abroad on a similar mission. Subsequently the latter returned overseas with the RAAF and was awarded the DFC for services rendered. In 1950, the Managing Director, Mr. C. Stuart Cryer, again traversed the globe in the interests of the firm. The results of all these trips have been the continued maintaining of up-to-date plant as well as the introduction of new and specialized machinery.

SPECIALISATION

Upon his return to Sydney in 1929, Mr. Walter J. Cryer (II) found Australia in the throes of the worst depression in history. Knowledge of practices in production and administration, acquired while abroad, enabled him to steer the Company safely through this perilous period. A new department was created in 1930, when the Company installed its first Pin Ticket Machine, to manufacture all kinds of “Cryterion” brand Price Marking Tickets.

Production of “Cryterion” brand Greeting Cards was entered upon in 1931, and gradually expanded to its present large and important place in the organization with Commonwealth wide distribution. The development of this department led to the introduction of offset machinery, thus allowing the company to give greater service to customers.

To keep ahead in ideas, a staff of artists closely study overseas trends in greeting card design.. A result of the 1935 overseas visit was the manufacture of “Cryterion” brand Adding Machine & Cash Register Rolls. Mr. Walter J. Cryer (II) realised that, to meet the requirements of customers, it would be necessary to introduce machinery capable of printing by yet another method, viz: Dry Offset.

Investigations revealed that there was not a dry offset rotary machine on the market suitable to requirements and, plans were drawn up and placed in the hands of a firm of Sydney engineers who made an excellent job of manufacturing the first of the Company’s dry offset machines [the “Crytin”], which was delivered in 1940. The plant has been added to and such strides have been made that,the resultant product compares favourably with the best dry offset printing in the world.

SERVICE TO CLIENTS

In 1917, as a result of a strike on the coalfields, industry in NSW was practically brought to a standstill. To assure a supply of power to keep the firm’s plant working, there was purchased for the business its first motor car – a second-hand “Star”. The rear wheels were jacked up and coupled with the shafting of the printing plant, enabling production to continue. Power rationing was introduced in 1949, which proved a considerable hardship to industry, the problem being overcome by diesel generating plants, providing complete independence of power. It is gratifying to record that the company has customers of fifty years standing.

THE EMPLOYEES

During 1919, Mr. W. H. [Harry] Dearne became a member of the staff, and after thirty-three years’ service is still active as Factory Manager. He has been selected as the next representative of the company to go overseas. Six months after Mr. Dearne joined, Mr. F. [Frank] L. Noble commenced thirty-two years’ service, which ended in 1951, including many years as Overseer of the Composing Room.

The employees have the benefit of a superannuation scheme, subsidized by the Company, and it is gratifying to know the number of employees who are shareholders in the Company. The employees have the benefit of a superannuation scheme, subsidized by the Company, and it is gratifying to know the number of employees who are shareholders in the Company.

The Company recognises long years of service, and it is on record that five employees have over 15 years service, and three employees have over 25 years service. Furthermore, 29 employees served during world war II, and are named on the Honour Roll.

CONCLUSION TO FIRST FIFTY YEARS

The past fifty years have seen great strides in the printing house of W. J. Cryer & Co. Pty. Ltd. Now, in 1953, Mr. C. Stuart Cryer, a second generation, retains the honoured position of Managing Director, while Mr. W. J. Cryer (III), a third generation of the family in Australia, is Deputy Managing Director.

Looking back, it is realised how much is due to the fundamentals inaugurated by the Founder, whose courage, assiduity and guidance made possible the enterprise that is now commemorated.