FESPA Conference – scaling versus growth why most businesses struggle

Jon Bailey, CEO of Precision Proco, shares three decades of expertise transitioning a regional print shop into a global platform. His FESPA 2026 conference session, “From Local to Global,” explores the vital shift from simple growth to true scalability, focusing on automation, architectural leadership, and simplification to unlock sustainable international success.

Who I am

I’m Jon Bailey, CEO of Precision Proco and a long-time advocate for transformation within the print and packaging industry. Over the past three decades, I’ve been part of a journey that has taken a small, regional print business in Sheffield and evolved it into a global marketing operations and print platform serving international brands.

Along the way, I’ve experienced the reality behind growth — the wins, the complexity, the mistakes, and the reinvention required to stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. My work today spans leadership, automation, community building, and helping businesses rethink how they scale without losing the human connection that makes our industry special.

I’m passionate about the intersection of people, process, and technology, and about sharing honest lessons that leaders can apply immediately — whether they are running a single site operation or managing a multi-market print network.

What this session will cover

At the FESPA Conference taking place at the FESPA Global Print Expo 2026, my session — From Local to Global — explores the difference between growth and true scalability, and why many businesses experience one without achieving the other.

The print industry is full of remarkable growth stories. More customers, more machines, more sites. But behind that growth, many organisations feel increased complexity, shrinking margins, leadership bottlenecks, and operational noise. This session tackles that challenge head-on.

I’ll share the real turning points that helped shift our thinking from a traditional production model to a scalable platform approach — including the mindset changes, operational redesign, and cultural evolution required to support that transition.

Attendees can expect practical insight into:

• The scaling myth — why getting bigger doesn’t always mean getting better
• Mindset transformation — the shift from owner-operator thinking to architectural leadership
• Simplification as strategy — how reducing friction unlocks speed, clarity, and margin
• Technology as an enabler — using automation, integration, and data to release capacity rather than simply increase output
• People and culture — why empowerment, trust, and psychological safety are essential to sustainable scale
• Community as a multiplier — how collaboration across the industry accelerates learning and innovation

The session will blend storytelling with practical examples from Precision Proco’s journey, highlighting both successes and the lessons learned when transformation didn’t go to plan.

What attendees will gain

This session is designed to be honest, practical, and relevant for leaders across the print ecosystem — from business owners and production managers to commercial teams and future industry leaders.

By attending, delegates will gain:

Clarity on what scaling really means
You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of the structural and behavioural changes required to move beyond reactive growth and build a business designed for repeatability and resilience.

A practical framework for simplification
Attendees will discover how mapping complexity, reducing handoffs, and standardising workflows can dramatically improve efficiency, customer experience, and leadership bandwidth.

Insight into the role of automation and integration
Rather than viewing technology as a standalone project, the session will demonstrate how automation becomes a strategic lever when aligned with process and culture.

Leadership perspective and reassurance
Scaling often feels isolating for leaders. This session offers reassurance that the challenges you face are shared across the industry — and that progress is possible through incremental, intentional change.

Inspiration to think beyond geography
“Global” doesn’t necessarily mean international offices or large infrastructure. Instead, attendees will explore how a global mindset — built on partnerships, platforms, and consistent experiences — can unlock new opportunities without unnecessary complexity.

Why this conversation matters now

The print industry is evolving at pace. Customer expectations are rising, talent dynamics are shifting, and technology is reshaping how value is created and delivered. In this environment, the ability to scale with clarity and confidence becomes a defining competitive advantage.

This session at the FESPA Conference is an invitation to pause, reflect, and rethink what growth looks like in your organisation — and to consider how simplification, community, and courage can help you move from local success to global relevance.

Ultimately, From Local to Global is not a story about size or geography. It’s a story about mindset. About building businesses that are simpler, more connected, and better equipped for the future.

I look forward to sharing that journey — and learning from yours.