Our history

The Company was established in Oswestry in the mid 1800's when a small printer published a railway timetable sold to 1,000 members of the public. Gradually news and advertisements were added.

Following a series of take-overs by small printing works, the new firm of Woodall, Minshall and Thomas was established. This was also the start of the Thomas family dynasty.

The Border Counties Advertizer was launched, followed by the Wrexham Leader. By 1932, the Y Cymro and Montgomeryshire Express were also part of the group. Rowland Thomas became the dynamic force behind the company and it was his skill and enthusiasm that took the company through the difficult times of the war and other financial problems.

It was Rowland's son Eric, who, after returning from the war qualified as a barrister then joined the company. By 1949 he was at the helm with Rowland Thomas remaining chairman. Rowland died in 1959 aged 70 leaving the company in Eric's hands. With director, Tom Roberts, Eric started to expand, in particular along the North Wales coast into Rhyl, Denbigh, Bangor and Colwyn Bay, borrowing money from the bank and another newspaper publisher to complete the deals. In 1973 the company made a huge financial investment with the launch of the Evening Leader, with editions going into Wrexham, followed by Flintshire and finally Chester.

Eric's daughter Nonna took over the helm and in 1988, the company moved its headquarters to Mold, making it more central to its readers and advertisers. The staff transferred during May 1988, with the introduction of a completely new computer system and a 7 half unit, full colour, new Goss press. In April 1998 the company continued its growth and acquired the very popular, three edition Chester Standard, a free weekly with a distribution of 90,000, adding further value to company's portfolio.

Now, the company's headquarters remains in Mold, and the new Print Centre and distribution division are both located in Deeside. Across all its sites, the company employs almost 300 people.

The Thomas family is still inextricably involved in NWN Media Ltd with Eric’s daughter Nonna now as vice chairman and fourth generation family members, Anthony, Huw and Sophie directly employed and contributing within the company.