appointments 
John Stobie, one of Perth’s longest-serving printers, has called it a day after 56 years of faithful service to the industry and as managing director of Labelworld, which until recently, was part of the Assta Group. Labelworld, which offers a variety of label printing services including sequential barcode labels with simple variable information, to detailed high quality multi-colour wine labels with embellishment, has been purchased by Labelcraft.

Stobie began his career in printing in 1948 as a hand-composing apprentice. He completed his apprenticeship in 1954, awarded an Honours Certificate, and continued his employment with the company, which traded under the name of Robert Honey & Co until 1959 when it was incorporated and renamed Robert Honey Pty Ltd.

During the latter part of 1963, Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons of the United Kingdom became one-third shareholders in the company and in 1964, Stobie was given the responsibility of selling and distributing Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons book products in Western Australia. Printing sales for Robert Honey was also his responsibility, with the specialisation and development of self-adhesive labels and swing tickets.

In 1970, Stobie was appointed as a director, responsible for administration and sales. The company then went into negotiations with Syd Staas in 1971, and in early 1972 it was agreed that Assta and Associates would join Robert Honey Pty Ltd.

Ken Bush, the Labelhouse agent in Western Australia agreed to join the company as a director and shareholder at the same time. Unfortunately, illness forced him to retire not long after and Stobie was installed as managing director of Robert Honey in 1973. Robert Honey was then fully purchased by Assta in 1978, and its name was changed to Labelworld in 1979.

Stobie is also past president of the Junior Printing Executives Association of Western Australia, and served for 17 years on the WA Executive Committee of PATEFA (Printing and Allied Trades Employers Federation of Australia). Two of these years were served as regional president and national councillor. At the conclusion of his term as regional president, Stobie formed a National Printing Industry Training Council (NPITC) Committee in WA and was appointed chairman.

Stobie says that he decided that after 56 years in the industry, it was time to retire. He plans to now enjoy the finer things of life, including travelling and golf, and getting a well-earned rest. He says that he found his work in the industry highly satisfying, and that the highlight of his career was his association with the Assta Group and the loyal staff he was surrounded by.

"I wish the industry well, however it currently needs to lift itself to a higher level of performance and profitability," says Stobie.