John Heaford passes away

Founder of JM Heaford John Heaford has passed away after a long illness surrounded by his family on March 1, 2022.

Founder of JM Heaford John Heaford has passed away after a long illness surrounded by his family on March 1, 2022
Heaford started his career as an apprentice draftsman at 17 and after roles in several engineering companies set up JM Heaford in 1982. The company initially manufactured gravure proofing presses. Using his engineering and draftsman skills Heaford designed a flexographic plate mounter and proofing machine using high magnification cameras. 
 
Passionate about his work, innovative and relentlessly hard working, Heaford’s business legacy is 5,000 Heaford machines supplied in over 100 countries. He travelled the world visiting customers with company agents and made many valued and long-lasting friendships along the way.  
 
Led by Heaford, the company achieved the Queens Award for Export twice and a Special Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the flexographic industry from the European Flexographic Technical Association.  
 
‘It is a sad time for all at Heaford, but we celebrate a life well lived and endeavor to continue the values that John and his wife Anne built the company on – integrity, hard work and appreciation of colleagues, agents and customers,’ the company said.