TypeRite’s Gerry Barlow had worked in the industry since 1985.
Gerry Barlow
Barlow, who passed away on 27 February, set up and ran TypeRite in Northern Ireland, and Kleen Strike UK’s Laura Heywood spoke to The Recycler about Barlow’s passing, and her memories of him.
“Those of us that had the privilege of knowing Gerry, when told of his sudden death on Thursday 27 February, will have gone first through disbelief and then the realisation of what a great loss of a friend and tremendous character. To gauge what he meant to those who knew him was the diversity of people, many who had travelled from Germany, Sweden, England and Scotland gathered to say goodbye. There were customers and suppliers, as well as family and close friends, but on this day we were all there saying goodbye to a dear friend.
“I met Gerry during the era when typewriter ribbon cassettes were king. Gerry’s talent and university background in industrial chemistry and the experience he gained from working for different companies including Ko-Rec-Type, a producer of ribbon cassettes, gave him the experience to eventually set up a company of his own.
“He and his young family returned to Northern Ireland, where he was born and raised, and in 1985 began TypeRite Ltd. in Warrenpoint, about 50 miles south of Belfast. Giving the area much needed employment, his company specialised in coating and slitting film ribbon.
“He was recommended to us as a supplier of film ribbon shortly after he began trading. Through the years we met up from time to time and became good friends. You couldn’t help but have fun and be comfortable in his and his wife Florence’s company, very much a part of Team Gerry. And no matter how much time had elapsed in between meetings we always took up where we’d left off. That was the uniqueness that was Gerry.
“Through the years as the technology changed, TypeRite continued to be at the vanguard of the thermal film market expanding its product base and continuing to explore more opportunities for innovation and diversity.One story Gerry loved to tell was the day that John Major, then Prime Minister was in Northern Ireland visiting TypeRite as part of his itinerary.
“While touring the factory, he received a long distance telephone call from President Bush that the Gulf War had begun. The Prime Minister actually apologised for having to cut his visit short – of course taking precedent over continuing his tour and needing to return to London.
“Though we’ve lost a wonderful friend and one of the pioneers of the film ribbon industry, TypeRite’s foundation is solid. There are now three cornerstones to his company and have been instrumental in its success for many years – his two daughters Cathy and Fiona, and his son Michael. They are confidently, and with support from their loyal staff that have been with them for many years, leading the company their dad founded almost 30 years ago into the next technological generation. But we’ll always remember Gerry and his great legacy of humour and innovation he leaves behind.”