Pixel
12th June 2006
People Make The Place Perfect
DAVID CORFIELD VISITS JOHNSONS PHOTOPIA AND SEES A BUSINESS READY FOR TOMORROW
Digital has affected everyone involved in photography. From the man on the street to the suits in the boardroom; all concerned have had to rethink their approach to taking pictures and the way they sell the means to create them.
Johnsons Photopia has anticipated this change well, and has recently undergone an extensive programme of steamlining, adapting its business strategy to reflect this new technology-led climate. Under the watchful eyes of a management team who, combined, have over 70 years of experience in photography between them, the company is well-placed to remain at the top of an ever-changing industry.
Multi-talented
There is more to JP than meets the eye, and immediately obvious to me, whilst being shown around by Managing Director Steve Kirkham, was the skilled workforce they had working for them in all departments. And furthermore, a happy team who genuinely seemed to enjoy what they did: from technicians working on repairs and servicing (JP has the contract to service and look after Konica Minolta cameras, among others), to packaging and distribution and the newly formed Professional Imaging Solutions (representing manufacturers such a s Broncolor), everyone seems to have bought into the company philosophy of being dedicated to supporting the brands they represent.
For a good few years now Johnsons has been at the top of its game with a solid reputation for meeting the needs of its customers and working closely with them.
“We like to think of our relationship with our clients as more of a partnership,” JP’s Paul Roper explains. “Our customers range from the bg multi-nationals to small businesses on the high street. We are always happy to talk to companies no matter how big or small. In fact we pride our self on our ability to work with any business.”
Pro portfolio
The company’s passion for photography is evident the moment you walk through the door. On the day of my visit the company had just finished a major refurbishment and expansion operation, involving round-the-clock painting, renovating and redecorating. The main hub of the Company is an old mill, which has been home for JP for a number of years. But following the decision to streamline, a second location next door was also purchased, which now forms the home for Professional Imaging Solutions as well as the marketing arm of the company, dealing with pro brands including Broncolor. A walk through the offices revealed the new Mamiya ZD digital SLR which the company has high hopes for. It certainly looks and feels impressive and Roper tells me the pro reaction has been very positive which confirms their belief in it.
“We believe in all of our niche product portfolio,” Kirkham explains, “and work closely with all eight of the brands that we represent.” These consist of Mamiya, Lastolite, Sekonic, Peli, Billingham, Giottos, Gepe and Schneider Kreuznach. JP Distribution hosts all of these manufacturers’ websites in the UK and handles all their sales and marketing for the UK to boot. It is a very proactive company, and a busy one at that.
Divisions
The company is split into three parts now: JP Distribution, which looks after the shipping and handling of all products within the company portfolio, JP Service Solutions, which is very much at the core of the business and which deals with the servicing and refurbishment of around 10,000 units a month, and the newly-hatched Professional Imaging Solutions which for the moment has Broncolor as its principle client, although come Photokina this year a few more names may be joining.
“We have moved our heartland from hardware to accessories now,” Kirkham reveals, “and now 60% of our business revolves around accessories.”
David Harper is JP’s Operations Director, and is one of the most senior employees in the company, having joined over 30 years ago as an apprentice engineer. He takes an active role in keeping JP Distribution in touch with the local community and has been instrumental in working with local colleges in recruiting apprentice engineers, a programme he went through himself all those years ago. “We believe in growing our own here,” he quips, and points out graduates of YTS programmes who are now on the first rungs of management in the company.
David now looks after the servicing side of things and was instrumental in setting up the entire Konica Minolta support in a record five days. Five days! “We worked hard to ramp up our service to incorporate KM in as quick a time as possible so as to not inconvenience our customers unduly.” This meant working almost around the clock over a weekend to get the new system integrated into JP’s existing infrastructure.
The fact that they did it so seamlessly says everything you need to know about a company whose most valuable assets are not the thousands of glitzy products they look after, but the staff themselves. And that’s something that money can’t buy.