In July 1962, aged just 17, John Shaw responded to a job advertisement in a local newspaper for a 'Trainee Cartographical Draughtsman' with BKS Survey Technical Services Limited.

John was one of twelve trainees recruited and began employment in the first office opened in Northern Ireland by the English-based parent, situated above the showroom of 'Stuart & Co. Motors' in Hanover Place.
The company later expanded and rented more office space in Bridge Street above 'Stewarts Supermarket' in the Diamond (now Marks and Spencer).

In 1965 the team of approximately 30 staff moved to new purpose built premises on the Ballycairn Road, where the company is still located today.

Initially the majority of map making carried out in the Coleraine office was undertaken for the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, Londonderry County Council and for various authorities throughout Ireland and the UK.

BKS Air Surveys operated its own aerial survey planes and maps of all scales were produced from the aerial photography and then drawn by hand, using pen and ink. John's natural artistic talent soon identified him as the man to undertake any complex cartographic drafting.

In the mid 1960s a technique called 'scribing' was introduced where diamond pointed cutters replaced the pen and ink and positive plates were prepared and used for reproducing maps and large scale plans.
In the late 1970s the BKS's technical capabilities expanded, as did its market base – undertaking projects throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the United States.

As a result the company more than tripled its exports and won the Queen's Award to Industry for Export Achievement in 1983.
One of John's fondest memories was when the former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, visited BKS.

John has seen many changes throughout the 46 years in the cartography industry.

The 'digital age' and the spread of computers has truly revolutionized cartography and most commercial-quality maps are now made with software.
Today maps are ubiquitous and are available at a click of a button – on our mobile phones, satellite navigation in our cars, on the internet – so no doubt when John is enjoying day trips out during his retirement he will think of BKS when he's lost and needs a map!