Currie Group and EFI ink ANZ distribution deal
A fast-expanding customer base for display graphics digital inkjet technologies in Australia and New Zealand has prompted Electronics For Imaging (EFI) to establish a new distribution partnership for the two countries with Currie Group, the largest, independent, privately owned supplier to the printing industry in ANZ.
The newly announced partnership will see Currie Group sell the broad portfolio of EFI Wide-Format UV LED printers.
Print21 spoke to Rodd Harrison, VP of sales, Asia-Pacific for EFI, shortly after the news broke. Harrison said the deal with Currie Group had been months in the making, and brings together what he describes as “two industry heavyweights that are both uniquely positioned to deliver value to Australian and New Zealand printers who are ready to make a comeback from Covid with greater efficiencies”.
Asked why Currie Group was selected as partner, Harrison said, “Currie Group is a strong, reputable business, a leader in its field in Australia New Zealand. It has incredible infrastructure, national distribution, high quality people, a professional approach and a sustainable business model. Currie Group’s business is evolving, and lines are blurring across printing sectors they service. It was an obvious choice. In this case, one plus one doesn’t just make two, it makes four.”
Harrison said EFI is currently working closely with Currie Group on sales activities planning, with go-to-market commencing in early 2021.
“We have a wide format printer on the way to Melbourne, which will be housed at Currie Group’s demo centre. Currie Group will host an open house in due course; training and demos will take place on site, and of course by remote too. Together we will roll out or breakthrough products slowly, methodically, professionally,” he said.
Harrison emphasised EFI’s commitment to the ANZ market, and to developing a healthy pipeline of innovation to service the market. He noted too that, pandemic notwithstanding, the company has not cut back any spend on R&D, with 30 per cent of staff engaged in R&D.
“This new partnership will allow us to reach even more customers as we expand our growth. The synergies to be created with Currie Group’s infrastructure and our market- leading portfolio are significant and we will now be able to help customers in the region, keen to pivot their business and drive efficiencies, to thrive with digital wide-format printing.”
The partnership has been forged amid a burgeoning expansion in wide-format print and across other print sectors among EFI customers. Harrison said that despite the pandemic, the company recorded nearly 20 new printer installations in ANZ over the course of the year.
He went on to emphasise that the good culture fit between Currie Group and EFI is the foundation for solid growth for both businesses.
David Currie, executive chairman for Currie Group said, “Currie Group continues to drive growth in our business and for our customers through digital transformation. Printing companies have many opportunities for growth with wide format, so we are excited to begin this new partnership to provide customers with EFI’s world-class, versatile UV LED solutions. The range of innovations available through EFI’s line-up of roll-to-roll, flatbed and hybrid printers opens up new, creative possibilities for our customers.”
Currie Group expands management team
In anticipation of servicing the ANZ wide-format market, Currie Group has also announced the appointment of Paul Whitehead as the wide format business unit manager, a purpose-created role for managing and growing Currie Group and EFI’s presence in the wide format market.
Both companies expressed confidence in Whitehead’s ability to create effective strategies and build strong relationships with new and existing customers.
Whitehead has clocked up 20 years’ industry experience, and now returns home to Melbourne after most recently working in Europe as an international marketing director within the wide format sector.
Whitehead said, “To work for a highly respected Australian company, representing a market leading technology organisation that boasts an exciting product portfolio and equally impressive roadmap, is an amazing opportunity. I cannot wait to bring this strong combination to the Australian and New Zealand markets.”