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C M Y K H e used to bring me to work with him — he'd start a job and I'd watch it," recalls Webber, president and owner of Webber Printing. "I remember he told me to keep my hands away from the machines and showed me which button to push to shut it down if there was a problem. I learned a lot." Indeed he did. While Webber's high school classmates were still trying to figure out what to do after graduation, Webber had already mastered all of the print operations and joined the family business full time in the mid-1960s. Over the last 40-plus years, the equipment and pro- cesses have changed, but Webber still takes great pride in running a family-owned and operated business that offers warm, friendly and accurate service. "Just the other day someone came in for a quote and told me my dad did their wedding invitations," he says. "You just don't see that type of longevity in business any more these days." Last year, Webber Printing earned a Brandon Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Excellence Award. And it was one of only three businesses nominated for a Mani- toba Chambers of Commerce MBiz Award for long-term achievement in rural Manitoba. The family's rich printing history goes back to the early 1900s when Walter Webber, Don's grandfather, emigrated from England and found work as the lead pressman at the Brandon Sun. Walter eventually parlayed that experience into his own letterpress, which he ran in the basement of his home. When Walter died in 1953, his son, Harry Webber, took over the family business. Don bought the business from his dad in 1979 and moved it to Brandon's industrial park. He has since enlarged it twice to meet customer demand and there's now a second sales office in Portage la Prairie. Under Don's ownership, the business has expanded in many ways, despite a changing climate in the print indus- try. At one time there were about six printers in Brandon, but there are only two these days. Webber says compe- tition from online print companies like VistaPrint has changed the playing field. "The problem with those types of places is you have to wait six to eight weeks for an order and still run the risk of having errors and have to start the whole process over again," he says. "If people want we'll email them a proof or run a proof over to them so they can make sure it's right before we print it. And we have the ability to adjust our schedule to accommodate rush jobs." Webber has been smart about buying equipment that offers the best return on the company's investment. For example, adding a digital wide-format Mutoh inkjet printer opened up more business opportunities. Webber Printing serves clients across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and part of Alberta, and some items have been shipped as far as Russia. The workforce has also grown to keep up with demand. There are more than a dozen employees including sales staff, an in-house graphic design team and production experts. And of course, the fourth generation Webber — Don's son Steve — has joined the business and oversees production. "I used to bring him to work with me on weekends, too," Don says. "He used to bring his toys here and help me with some jobs." ❙ Don Webber and his son Steve, who represents the fourth generation in the family business. Photo by Brian Fisch Printing business spans four generations By Aileen Goos Berard For the Free Press Lasting impressions Don Webber's always been fascinated by how things are made. It started when he was about four years old, spending Saturday afternoons with his dad at the family- owned print shop in Brandon. Over the last 40-plus years, the equipment and prOcesses have changed, but Webber still takes great pride in running a family-OWned and Operated business that Offers Warm, friendly and accurate service. INSIDE bOar stud facility hamiota /2 souris /3 bOuncing back Page 1 Country Town & MANITOBA Editor: Pat st. Germain pdstgermain@gmail.com Saturday, April 26, 2014 Seeustoday,orvisitusonlineatwww.mazergroup.ca 13locationsacrossManitoba&SoutheasternSaskatchewan EFFICIENCY HAS NEVER BEEN SO SMART. Boomercompacttractorsareloadedwithfeaturesthatkeepyoucomfortable andproductivewhilesavingyoutimeandmoney.That'sNewHollandSMART. Features: •Compactdesignandeasymaneuveringintightspots •Addedtractionwhenyouneeditfrom4WDanddifferentiallock •Easy-to-usehydrostaticorshuttletransmission " boissEvain /6 a century Of service

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