Page 72 - Print21 Jan-Feb 2020

People in Print
the OVERflow
Ovato supersite open
Twith 7 heatset webs op Ovato executives, “It has been a lengthy, costly,
including chairman and disruptive process, but Michael Hannan, absolutely necessary to position welcomed customers to the company for the future – it
tour the expanded NSW printing simply had to be done,” he said.
the gathering of key customers, with CEO Kevin Slaven emphasizing the operational excellence of the new presses and the integration of the site. Here were no doubts of the future or health of the printing industry, albeit there is a sense of caution due to the ongoing slowing of retail and lower consumer confidence.
“This investment in our manufacturing capabilities positively impacts on our efficiency and flexibility at scale. It also complements our ongoing investment in data analytics
to provide our print and distribution customers bespoke offerings ensuring a greater return on investment for their marketing spend.
“The future looks positive for print in Australia. With
a continued investment in technology, data analytics, and automation, we are set
to support our customers in making insightful decisions to reach their consumers,” Slaven told guests.
The Warwick Farm consolidation is the final stage of bringing together three printing sites in NSW. It follows the previously completed consolidation
of sites in Queensland and
Day of triumph: Michael Hannan, chair (left) and Kevin Slaven, CEO Ovato
Victoria at the time of the merger, which has allowed for the retirement of older, less efficient presses, producing
a significant reduction in the number of employees.
The costs of commissioning the new manroland Lithoman press are significant, even
in terms of the overall consolidation – but the investment will keep Ovato
at the forefront of printing technology at a time when efficiencies and costs are under increased pressure.
The operational statistics
for the Warwick Farm site are impressive:
• $5m of spare parts held onsite • 10,000 printing plates each
month = 135,000sq metres of aluminium annually – 100 per cent recycled
• 23,500 tonnes of paper stored on site
• Average 8,000 tonnes of paper consumed per month
• All paper from certified sources (PEFC and FSC)
• All wastepaper, wrappers, and cores recycled
• 4.2m litres of rainwater storage on site
• Web presses ranging from 16pp up to 96pp quarto and A4 cut offs, with four and six- colour capabilities. 21
site, one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and unveiled the company’s latest $20m manroland Lithoman 80- page high-volume web press.
The day of triumph for the largest printing company
in the region celebrates the consolidation of all its offset web presses in NSW into one supersite in Sydney’s south- western suburbs.
Formerly the jewel in the crown of IPMG before it merged with PMP to form Ovato, the new Warwick Farm plant is a vindication of the Hannan family’s vision and commitment to the local printing industry.
The expanded operation rises from the consolidation and closure of the old Moorebank site, a necessary if painful decision, according to Michael Hannan at the AGM.
“The closure of Moorebank marks the end of a mammoth and painful restructuring program that has tested everyone involved, our customers, our management, our employees and our shareholders.
The move comes at a challenging time for the company, with revenue of $669.2m falling further than expected last year. Ovato says the consolidation is expected to deliver annualised savings of $24m.
The 7.5-hectare site, with 35,000 metres under one roof and employing 450 people, runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is a world-leading facility in terms of printing power, automated manufacturing, and distribution.
In the highly competitive catalogue and heatset magazine market, where Ovato mostly competes against the IVE Group, the expanded printing site with its ability to print 18 million pages per hour is a key strategic advantage for the publicly listed company.
The enterprise is celebrating winning the entire Bauer magazine print business
in Australia, the largest publishing contract in the region. The positive outlook of the executive team during the morning was well-received by
Beacon lights up with new press investment
Beacon Print in Whakatāne has signed an agreement to purchase a near new
newspaper printing press from United Borneo Press Group of Malaysia, in what it says is a vote of confidence in community newspaper publishing.
The company – a subsidiary of Beacon Media Group – is purchasing a Goss Community SSC Press Line, which includes five four-high towers and a Goss N40 folder. The press will be upgraded, and will run at 37
Vote of confidence: John Spring, Beacon Print
per cent higher output than the current four tower press, which it will replace.
The project is scheduled to be completed in the first half of next year. The press will be relocated to New Zealand from Malaysia
in March, to be installed and
commissioned at Beacon Print’s Whakatāne print site in May.
The press will print
Beacon Media Group’s own New Zealand Community Newspaper of the Year The Beacon, and other community newspaper titles.
John Spring, managing director of Beacon Media Group, said the investment is a huge vote of confidence in, and commitment to, New Zealand’s community newspaper publishers. He said, “Increasing demand for consistent highest
quality in printed newspapers continues to challenge all newspaper printers.
“At Beacon Print, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to help our community newspaper customers be
even more successful. The installation of this press will be the culmination of an extensive eighteen month capital programme that has seen every part of our business modernised and future proofed for safety, quality, efficiency and cost.” 21
72 Print21 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020