The arrival of yet another 'for trade' printer on a greenfield site in the Southern Capital is expected to intensify competition in an already crowded market.
LEP is the latest entrant into the service print sector of the industry that is increasingly concentrated in Melbourne. The Queensland-based company joins at least a dozen other printers in the region all plying their services to other printers. It is seeking a more national footprint to cut delivery times in the southern states.
'For trade' printing in Melbourne is a crowded market with such high-profile companies as CMYKhub, CMYKonline, Gippsland Trade Printers and Hornet Press among others locating at least some of their production facilities there. Web-to-print giant, Vista Print, is also in Melbourne and supposedly looking at offering a 'for trade' service.
LEP new plant is in Port Melbourne and will be fully operational by the end of August. The new facility is practically a duplicate of its current Forest Glen site in Queensland using the same technology, including presses, plates and inks as the Forest Glen site. The new plant has a Ryobi 925 press, an Agfa Avalon N8 platesetter, Heidelberg, G&K and Osako equipment.
According to John Bromfield, CEO the site was chosen because it’s in the heart of Port Melbourne, which means LEP can deliver printed products faster than previously.
“Our main emphases for this new facility are reduced freight costs and even faster turnaround times. Another bonus is a reduced risk of goods being damaged in transit,” he said.
- “By effectively doubling our capabilities and being closer to our clients in southern states, LEP Colour Printers can provide better service than ever to all our clients," John Bromfield (left) with general manager Rob Walters.
General Manager at LEP Colour Printers, Rob Walters, is heading the new operation, with skilled staff from LEP’s Queensland operation heading south to ensure print production schedules and standards are met immediately, and to train new employees in LEP’s lean manufacturing processes.
The move towards 'for trade' printing is increasing as many smaller printers shy away from investing in offset presses. The outsourcing of commercial print has boosted the creation of printing hubs using the latest press technology and workflows.
Most 'for trade' printers relay on sophisticated wed-to-print portals for ordering but the LEP move underscores the significance of being close to your customers. The new Melbourne LEP site will supply Victoria, southern New South Wales, the ACT, South and Western Australia, and Tasmania with Queensland, northern New South Wales and the NT contiuing to be handled by the Forest Glen facility.
CMYKhub, perhaps the largest of the 'for trade' sector has a national footprint with production facilities in almost every capital city.