Page 53 - Print21 March-April 2020

Business
Customer dedication
Managing growth and emphasising the importance of each team member is key to the development of this Melbourne print business.
Young entrepreneur Joshua Kamil acquired BGS Printing 18 months ago as part of a plan to diversify. The business has a heritage going back to 1983, and markets itself as a full-service printing resource, with expertise in high quality commercial printing, direct mail marketing, retail display and signage, label printing, and promotional products. The company has around 22 staff.
BGS is a full service print shop with account managers working with an increasing number of clients to produce integrated campaigns.
Kamil says, "I wanted to diversify.
I owned Ready Steady Print, but the businesses are in different markets with a different proposition, and a different type of client relationship." They do though have the advantage of sharing the same production equipment.
In a turbulent world of print Kamil believes there is plenty of opportunity for B2 and digital printing. He said, “The 40” market is under threat from web printers, but B2 is still a great place to be.”
As part of his growth strategy Kamil majors on the importance of the team, he says, “My philosophy is that each member of the team is important, and needs to know they are important, whether they are operating a press, in the office on admin, or on the road in sales. I emphasise the reality that we need each other, and that each person is important to the business. If we win a client then we have all won, if one leaves the business they are leaving all of us. My team here owns each job, and knows the importance of each job and each client.
Upgraded finishing
BGS Printing has just upgraded its finishing capability with investment
in new Horizon kit, including a bookletmaker and three-sided trimmer, both supplied by Currie Group.
Kamil says the new investments
are to ensure the business has the most efficient systems to deliver
high productivity. He said, “We run lean manufacturing, we need our production equipment to operate at the
highest levels. The new Horizon kit will help enable BGS to deliver first class product to its customers every time.”
The company has installed a new Horizon Bookletmaker (VAC-1000 A&C / SPF-200L/FC-200L) and a Horizon HT-30 Three side trimmer. The new finishing equipment will handle product from both digital and offset presses, with BGS running a pair of HP Indigo presses, an iGen, and a Komori B2 five-colour.
Kamil said, “We invest in production equipment based on need. We don’t make speculative investments. My background is finance, I look at the ROI, I look
to minimise risk. I know the new Horizon finishing equipment will be a great fit for the business.
“I did look at other options, but Horizon stands on its own in that space, and for us it would be overkill to install the conventional offset finishing kit with folded sections and hoppers. Horizon equipment handles the crossover, it is equally capable of finishing print from offset and from digital presses.
Above
Fit for purpose: Joshua Kamil with the
new Horizon bookletmaker
Kamil said, “I do have plans to install additional finishing equipment shortly. For us it is one step at a time, we will not overreach, it is planned growth based on reality, not just what we hope will happen.
“Managing growth is key. When I put in new equipment I am not losing sleep over it, wondering how it will
pay for itself, hoping to get a lot of new work. I know the equipment will be utilised from the off. The Horizon BQ- 280 we put in two years ago is a perfect example, it has produced more than 500,000 PUR books in that time.”
The relationship with the supplier is an important part of any investment decision, and Kamil describes that between BGS and Currie Group as ‘close’. He says, “We feel looked after, we are on the same page, there is mutual respect. Our experience of Currie Group is that they go beyond what would be expected, it counts for a lot.”
In an under-pressure industry the strategy of BGS in investing in fit- for-purpose equipment and creating a team spirit where staff enjoy giving their best is clearly cutting through.
Kamil says, “We are a tight knit team, with an overarching dedication to the customer. The staff here are
a crucial part of our proposition to the market. Our staff to output ratio is significantly above the industry average, I would say 50 per cent higher. This is what we mean by dedication.” 21
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“We don’t make speculative investments. My background is finance, I look at the ROI, I look to minimise risk.” – Joshua Kamil
“I also appreciate it is easy to operate. I need our staff to be agile, working in different areas, rather than spending a long time being trained for just one or two pieces of equipment. Horizon lends itself to this agility.”
The new bookletmaker replaces
a Horizon STF-20, which was approaching the end of its life. Vince, account manager at Currie Group said, “The new bookletmaker will enable BGS to offer both portrait and landscape bookletmaking on
the one machine. The HT-30 three knife trimmer means that BGS
will not need to wait for the PUR
to dry before it trims. Both new pieces of equipment will add to the productivity and capability at BGS.”
The new equipment is likely to be joined by more in the near future,