Mr. Stevenson has been with A B Graphic International Ltd for his entire career spanning over 42 years and joined the company as an apprentice in 1962 when it was known as Burton Engineering. On completing his apprenticeship he took responsibility for installation and service of the company’s range of stringing, eyeletting and tag and ticket machines for the label industry.

He also played a significant service and support role in the early days of A B Graphic International Ltd started by the late Peter Burton to bring printing presses into the product range and was responsible for installation and service of the Lintec, Delta A100 letterpress machine. He was made a Director of A B Graphic International Ltd in 1987 with responsibility for the Service Department and administration of the company’s pension scheme.

Of his time working with the company, Tony has fond memories of working with the late Mr. Burton during the early days of A B Graphic International Ltd. “ We worked closely together and Mr. Burton was a great supportive influence not only in my working life, but in my athletics career as a Javelin thrower helping me to go on and remain Yorkshire Champion for 14 years. On changes in the industry Stevenson comments. “ I have seen changes in technology, from tags and tickets to letterpress, UV flexo, digital and laser die cutting. I believe the future is in digital printing technology and that eventually workflow's will be fully computerised”.

With plans for retirement influenced by family connections (Tony’s son is First Secretary at the Foreign Office in Rome) initial activities will include touring and sailing in Italy, France and Greece with his wife Viv.