Trans-Tasman paper merchant BJ Ball has bought WA graphics distributor West Graphics Print Supplies, a leading supplier of consumable products in the commercial print market in Western Australia.
"Western Australia was an area that we needed to build and this felt like the right fit for us," said Tony Bertrand, BJ Ball's national marketing manager.
The deal - effective 22nd August - means BJ Ball will provide national distribution of the full range of Huber (Hostmann-Steinberg) Inks and print room consumables including coatings, varnishes, press chemistry, blankets, and other specialty products.
"Our acquisition of West Graphics and the alliance with Huber Group allows us to offer customers the widest and most comprehensive choice of high quality best in class products," said the company's GM, Graphics, Sam Varughese.
The paper merchant recently boosted its sales and technical teams as part of a move to offer customers increased service levels and local technical support at all major cities across Australia - now including Perth.
BJ Ball has ink mixing and colour matching labs in all the major states and just installed state-of-the-art ink dispensing equipment in NSW, which utilizes the latest colour management technology. The company has also started the roll out of its innovative iconsignment inventory management system to cover the Graphics range of products, which assists printers in reducing inventory costs and drives efficiency.
"BJ Ball and Huber Group together with the WestGraphics business are fully committed to the market for the long term and we are delighted that together we will try and bring a consistency of quality and dependability within the Asia Pacific region," said BJ Ball CEO Craig Brown.
Glenn Fretwell, proprietor of West Graphics, welcomed the move. “BJ Ball are a logical partner to nurture and grow the business that we have developed over the past 25 years. We are delighted to see the business move into the BJ Ball group - who together with our long term key staff will continue to serve and support our suppliers and customers.”