The Alden Group was originally established in Oxford, in 1832, by Henry Alden who as a devout Baptist, used an inheritance to buy enough printing equipment to publish his own anti-slavery pamphlets. The business grew and prospered, publishing Oxford’s first ever guide book, Alden’s Oxford Guide, which remained in print right up until the end of the 20th Century.
In the 1920s the company established a reputation as a book printer, forming a close relationship with the publishers Jonathan Cape. The company later added academic journals and commercial colour work to its list of specialist capabilities, whilst investing in new technologies along the way.
In 2006, after 40 years at its previous factory, Alden moved to a new purpose built factory in Witney, 10 miles outside Oxford, where the state-of-the-art printing operation and translation division are all under one roof. Alden prides itself that its traditional values of 'Creating the Right Impression' are maintained. William Alden, who represents the the sixth generation of the family to run the business, remains with Alden HenDi.