Page 33 - Packaging News July - August 2019

MEMBER PROFILE CURRIE GROUP
Eponymous industry supplier and APPMA member Currie Group is celebrating 70 years in the business this year. Patrick Howard reports.
Currie Group reaches 70 year milestone
FAR LEFT: The building where the business began, seven decades ago.
LEFT: Executive chairman and well-known industry figure, David Currie.
Currie Group is celebrating 70 years in the printing and packaging industry this winter. The one-time printing engineering enterprise is today recognised for the stellar line-up of market-leading brands and technologies it represents. It no longer sells sheetfed offset presses, despite half a century of tradition in the field. Rather, it has almost become synonymous with the HP Indigo brand of digital presses for printing and packaging applications. Known as the leading digital press technology, the HP Indigo brand enjoys unprecedented market dominance in the region, thanks in no small way to the indefatigable efforts of Currie Group. Across digital labels and packaging production, HP Indigo and Currie Group dominate the region, with digital solutions for labels, flexibles and carton print production.
This is complemented by an impressive range of other print production technologies from Horizon finishing equipment and Scodix digital embellishment to OMET narrow / mid web flexographic presses and AB Graphic web converting.
Currie Group’s staff complement of more than 100 industry professionals covers every aspect of printing from sales, service and business advice. Building on this tradition of service and integrity, it engages with both long-term and more recent customers. It is continuing to set the standard of successful transformation for the new printing industry of the 21st century.
Currie Group is the paramount example of a ‘new era’ industry supplier company. Building on a rich legacy of engineering it has not only weathered the transformations of the market, it has facilitated its customers in changing their business models with equipment, service, training and support, to enable them to meet the challenges and enjoy the opportunities of the new digital world.
LEGENDARY LEADERSHIP
David Currie, executive chairman and son of the founder, has survived and thrived through some of the most turbulent and challenging decades in the history of the printing and packaging industries.
The 68-year-old is still on deck, an active and successful executive chairman, who continues to lead from the front. He takes pride in being engaged in all the major deals of the digital press and print finishing equipment that are the foundation of the company’s business. Recognised by many of his long-term customers as a grey eminence of the industry, he is sometimes flattered when received into their businesses as an honoured guest.
“They seem pleased to see me. I guess if you stay around long enough you become some kind of fount of wisdom,” he smiles. “I was up at a customer’s place in Queensland recently and he took great pride in showing me around his business.
I think he figures that if someone can stay around in the business as long as I have, they must know what they’re doing.”
David Currie is far removed from the stereotype of the figurehead leader. He is part of the operating team of his company, ready to step in whenever his unique contribution can help. He makes himself available to staff and customers as he always has and if he’s wound back his legendary work rate, he’s still at the forefront of Currie Group’s activities.
“I don’t put in as many hours as I used to and I guess I’m a bit more of a grumpy old thinker these days. But I’ll still talk to my customers at any time of the day, night, or weekend. I still go and sell a lot of machines personally.”
His son, Will Currie, is now in the business as account manager in NSW. You just know it gives David no end of satisfaction. He is always first to recognise the founding achievements of his own father, William ‘Bill’ Currie. It seems Currie Group is likely to prove an enduring dynasty.
Mark Daws, director Labels and Packaging at the company says, “It is a fantastic achievement. I am proud to be part of this iconic Australian owned business. Currie Group has the widest range of printing and converting technologies in its portfolio, and we will continue to offer our customers access to some of the latest and most innovative technologies in the print and packaging industry.” 
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