Chris Bennett: Heidelberg's opening of Hemel Hempstead HQ is emotional affair

Heidelberg’s Hemel Hempstead HQ was officially opened last Friday, Valentine’s Day, and, quite unexpectedly, turned out to be quite an emotional affair. The gathered dignitaries, customers and staff were quite right to expect a canape, a glass of bubbly and speeches of thanks. But there was more.

Optics has the ability to make people feel part of the family and unusually for a business event some Heidelberg staff had brought their families along to enjoy the day. The cohesive community feel that optics has a way of engendering was also to appear courtesy of Heidelberg’s managing director who had travelled from Germany for the event. He surprised the room, and most of all Heidelberg UK’s prime mover, Krysten Williams, by announcing that she was to be made a director of the company. A clearly emotional Williams continued bravely through her thanks to staff and welcome to the collected guests.