HP is sponsoring former sales and business manager Nick Hollis on an endurance challenge that will see him row solo across the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness of climate change. As part of its support package HP linked Hollis up with long-time Lates user PressOn, which used its Latex 2000 and 3600 printers to create graphics for his boat, Kraken.
Hollis, who worked between 2003 and 2012 before leaving the company to follow his passion for exploration and adventure, established Fitways Adventures in 2013, a company that runs expeditions, adventures and team building events. Now he is embarking on the 721 Challenge that features a series of extreme trials. Participants must scale the seven largest peaks in the world, ski to both the North and South Poles, and row more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to complete the full challenge.
Hollis began the challenge several years ago and now has two stages left - reaching the North Pole and completing the Atlantic Challenge. The latter of these is next on his list, and he’ll begin the crossing from the Canary Islands to Antigua this Christmas.
To publicise the sponsors, PressOn produce decals to cover the boat Hollis will row. They were printed onto Hexis THE190EUO vinyl and laminated with Hexis PCI90G2. PressOn will recover these materials for recycling after the challenge is complete to save them from landfill.
“I’ll start the Atlantic crossing around 10 December, and I expect the row to take between 55 and 80 days,” said Hollis. “I’m rowing solo and plan to row for around 15 hours per day. I’ll be consuming around 6,500 calories each day of the crossing, but I still expect to lose about 15kg.
“I'm attempting the 721 Challenge to support the international conservation charity World Land Trust, of which Sir David Attenborough is a patron. I’m also proud to be an ambassador for the organisation.
“I am absolutely delighted with the final outcome of the printed decals and cannot wait to take on the Atlantic Challenge.”
HP CEO Enrique Lores said: “Our long-term success depends upon the wellbeing of the people and communities we serve. This mindset was instilled in the culture of HP by our founders and today, it has never been more important. Because when you think about the sheer scale of the challenges we face - from the growing threats of climate change to persistent inequality - it’s clear we have a lot more work ahead.”
Olivia Kelleher, HP large format sustainability lead, added: “As Nick will be spending so long on the water, it’s important for him to work with suppliers and partners that keep up to date on the latest innovations and reduce the impact on the environment. Working with suppliers and manufacturers that have adopted closed loop systems to recycle waste materials back into the printing process is one way of doing so as it reduces waste and increases resource efficiency.”