As Cochrane’s history evolved, there was a first time for everything. Satellite Printing Ltd. on 2nd Avenue East has the unique distinction of being the first printing company in Cochrane.
Alfred Kessler learned his trade in Germany and entered his printing apprenticeship at the age of 14. After working in Germany for a short time, he decided to move to Glarus, Switzerland where the opportunities to perfect the trade were greater. It was there that he met his wife, Marlise. After 10 years of working out the finer points of the printing trade, they decided to immigrate to Canada and made their home in Calgary for the first four years. Alf did have to get re-certified officially in Canada.
The country life was calling to them, so after four years in the city they moved to a ranch just south of Midnapore, which is now part of Calgary. They operated a horse boarding stable for 100 horses. During this time Alfred worked as plant superintendent for Burnand Printing in Calgary. Meanwhile Marlise completed her apprenticeship as a lithographer, starting her employment at Lawson Graphics and later Zenith Graphics in Calgary. They had two different shifts, so there was always someone home to look after the horses.
Alf and Marlise loved the country life and wanted to purchase their own land, so they purchased 40 acres on the Grand Valley Road. In becoming a ‘printing team’, they decided to open their own business in Cochrane in 1985 and Satellite Printing Ltd. was formed. Their son, Steve learned the printing trade at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and soon joined them in the business. Steve also purchased another 40 acres next door to his parents’ property. Steve’s wife, Margaret learned the trade from scratch. She is the company’s graphic designer and also chief financial officer.
“She is a very smart girl and learned everything very quickly” said Alf proudly.
This is a wonderful example of a family working together, each with their own area of expertise.
“It’s a constant learning curve” said Alf. “Technology changes rapidly, so it is important to keep up to date. Computerization has changed the whole industry. In 1955 we had lead type and had to put the letters together. Now everything is offset. It is mainly digital, right from the computer to a digital press. Large color jobs are still done offset.”
Evidence of that is the large 1968 Heidelberg Platen press standing proudly in their shop and is used for the labour intensive offset print work.
Satellite Printing handles all facets of printing from business cards to color brochures; pen and ink drawings to art prints. As a matter of fact, the Cochrane Art Club used to print catalogues prior to an art show, which was always a last minute job before the doors opened. Alf and his team always came through on time, which was much appreciated by the artists.
