Paper merchant KW Doggett is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the release of a book chronicling its formation and early history.

Written by Alan Haintz and Peter Dwyer, ‘A Dog’s Tale’ is equal parts personal and corporate history of their old friend founder Ken Doggett.

The book includes interviews with former employees and other old faces in the printing industry, to tell the story of the company Ken built into Australia’s third biggest merchant.

“We discover how the earlier generations of the Doggett family heavily influenced the company’s current success,” Doggett communications manager Nevi Laketa says.

“Which is also largely attributed to the solid family values and personalised, hands on approach established by brothers Ken and John Doggett in the early days, and still evident today.”

[Related: Cliff Lewis celebrates 40th anniversary]

Current and former staff recall enduring traditions like Friday night drinks, where since 1979 the company would regroup for the week to reflect on its highlights and challenges.

Longstanding employee Joanne Tapping says these occasions, originally held on the roof of the company’s early warehouse in Tope Street, South Melbourne, says they were ‘never to be missed; nor was Ken’s role as catering manager’.

Some 100 past and present staff, family and friends attended a recent launch for the book at Doggett’s Melbourne office, cutting a cake to celebrate 40 years.

Check out the Downtime pages of this month’s ProPrint magazine, in your letterbox now, for photos of the celebration.

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