Shining Her Light On Life

Originally published at Imaging World Magazine Issue 99

By Tricia Judge

As a fellow industry advocate, I enjoyed the times I’ve worked with Laura Heywood from United Kingdom Cartridge Remanufacturing Association (UKCRA) and enjoyed her hospitality and friendship on two continents.

Laura Heywood and husband Don Barker launched Kleen Strike, an imaging supplies remanufacturing concern, more than 34 years ago. It was Barker’s expertise and organizational skills that allowed Kleen Strike to evolve. But it was Heywood’s personality and perseverance that made it flourish.

In 1983, the couple set up Kleen Strike (UK) in Rochdale, with assistance from Kleen Strike Inc. (est. 1960) of Columbia, Maryland. Kleen Strike started as a typewriter ribbon re-inking and cassette remanufacturing company. From there, the couple developed Kleen Strike’s products as the imaging industry evolved.

With Barker’s firm hand on the helm of Kleen Strike, Heywood was free to pursue an industry leadership role, which she did with gusto. Heywood ran the United Kingdom Cartridge Remanufacturing Association (UKCRA) for decades. Heywood’s bubbly personality has made her an obvious leader for the United Kingdom Cartridge Remanufacturers’ Association.

She was instrumental in guiding pro-remanufacturing initiatives in the United Kingdom, and committed to the arduous EPEAT (Electronics Products Environmental Assessment Tool) process.

In 2017, Laura Heywood was granted a Lifetime Achievement Award for her 25-year contribution to the imaging aftermarket, mainly in the UK. 150 people attended the Europe Live Conference in Warsaw, Poland, to applaud her. Heywood is no stranger to accolades.

As Secretary of UKCRA, some of the amazing things Heywood have done include:

* contributed to the ASPRG report which was tabled in the UK Parliament along with major corporates and environmental groups on printer cartridge reuse;

* encouraged and joined representatives of the European and American industry associations to become stakeholders in the development of the European EPEAT IEEE1680.2 environmental standard (Electrical Product Environmental assessment Tool);

* lobbied with the government and secured the support of MEP Chris Davies, to support ETIRA on the EU Commission’s procurement policy;

* lobbied the UK industry to encourage their MEP’s to include wording in the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive) that became European law in 2003 regarding waste electrical and electronic equipment;

* represented the aftermarket industry at several environmental workshops headed by the UK’s Environment Agency (EA) and Dept. of the Environment (DEFRA) which led to England and Wales being exempt from waste management licensing;

* reported on many occasions to the Advertising Standards Authority, now the CMA (Competition & Marketing Authority) on disingenuous advertising and practices by printer manufacturers.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award was the most personal to me,” Heywood said. “It was the culmination of many years of working with like-minded people hoping to make a difference in encouraging reuse.”

Barker stood with her as she received well-deserved awards and accolades from the industry, yet he preferred to be the man behind the leader. And as a couple, they enjoyed the fruit of their collective success.

Sadly, both Laura and I share another role:  that of widow. I lost my husband, industry advocate Lester Cornelius, in September 2011. She just recently lost her husband Don Barker. We both have penned tributes to the other’s husbands.

“Don was my most significant other in every way.”  Laura said. “He could see a problem and correct it and was, as an engineer, more qualified to know how to solve problems. But at the same time, we loved our walks over the moors with our little dog Charlie. When illness struck him 17 years ago, he was still able to enjoy life for several more years.”

Don and Laura initially owned Kleenstrike, with each owning 50 percent. After the pass of Don, Laura didn’t see it as a woman-owned business. “Don’s son Alistair is now a partner after working with us for several years and then we brought our key man Alan Longstaff in as not only a director but a shareholder too. We’ve always rewarded those that demonstrate the same value and dedication as we do when we are able to. “

To Laura, one project that gave her much satisfaction and great comeraderie was working on Epeat (the U.S. government’s standard for printers and other electronics for environmentally beneficial impact.) “Working together with Vincent Van Dijk (ETIRA) and Tricia (Int’lITC) was a significant period of time in my life.” Laura said.  “It was fun letting them run with the demands set forth by the committee, as they were more qualified than me. But we were all working on the consumables group together and I learned so much. I was also interested in the committee on end of life, and a couple of others so I could pursue ‘availability of spare parts,’ and other areas that interested me.” She added.

Laura embodies all that is good about women leaders.  She is funny, feminine and caring.  Yet she is also fierce, strong and steadfast.  And she isn’t done leading the U.K.’s industry into the future.