The history of GEW starts in 1991. GEW designs and manufactures mercury arc and LED UV curing systems for the printing, coating and converting industries. With headquarters in the UK, a subsidiary in the USA and a branch office in Germany, the company today serves an international customer base with sales, service and support available worldwide.
GEW was formed in March 1991 by Gillian and Malcolm Rae, to provide the narrow web label market with compact, efficient air-cooled UV curing systems.
In the early years GEW was based in Reigate, Surrey and then in a factory unit in Redhill. The company developed UV systems for a range of label printing machines, enabling the business to grow. GEW became identified with UV curing systems on narrow web printing machines.
Between 1992 and 1997 the company grew rapidly, employing more people, moving to larger premises and developing the product range further. Sales were direct with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) accounts, based mainly in Europe.
In 1999 GEW were awarded the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement, having doubled export sales in the preceding 3 years. The same year we moved to South Nutfield, Surrey and set up an operation in Cleveland, Ohio to service the North American market. This has been very successful, with continued strong growth and GEW, Inc. seen as the market leader.
GEW also has branch offices in Germany to support our many customers in the German-speaking markets, and we are also supported by a worldwide network of agents and distributors.
In 2012 we moved to a large, modern factory in Crawley, near London Gatwick, in West Sussex.
Today GEW equipment is used on many of the world’s most advanced printing machines. Our products are highly regarded for their standard of engineering, reliability and performance and our fast, friendly and flexible approach has kept customers loyal to us over many years. As testimony to this, our first-ever customer is still buying from us today.
GEW has stayed true to its origins as a family business and Malcolm and Gillian remain heavily involved in running the organisation with enthusiasm. Adding to this strength, their son and daughter have also taken active roles within the company. The future of GEW is in many capable hands, supporting our customers and developing new products to make GEW the foremost supplier of UV curing systems in the world.
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