Page 86 - Print 21 Sep-Oct 2019
P. 86

People in Print
the OVERflow
TLC rises from the ashes with new Braeside factories
The TLC team in front of the new Braeside premises. From left: Andrew Ballingall, production manager; Bob De Santa- ana, assistant production manager; Garry Wardell, business manager; and Barry Webster, managing director.
Trade finishing house TLC Digital+ has opened a pair of new factories in Braeside, three years
after fire claimed its West Melbourne premises.
Since the fire, it has operated out of its Mordialloc site for the past three years while its new plants were constructed in Braeside.
In operation since 1997, the company has shifted gears to large-format laminating for the packaging industry in addition to its commercial print activities.
TLC lost all the equipment and materials in the West
Melbourne plant when it burned down; according to Barry Webster, managing director, nobody was harmed in the blaze.
“It was a real blow as we
had just incorporated our sign business into the premises and that too was lost in the fire.
“We have since brought in new equipment focusing on the packaging industry – we were
a little bit packaging-focused before, but we’ve brought it up to our main area of business. We’ve re-equipped for both
the general print and for the packaging industry and we’re
ready to go,” said Webster. “All our old staff have come across to the new plant, so it’s
business as usual and we’re also looking for more staff.”
TLC now produces large- format lamination for sheet sizes up to 1030 by 1430
in both wet and thermal, including metallised films in silver and gold; clear polyester for overprinting; and gloss and matte films plus anti-scuff and soft touch. It also provides screen spot UV varnishing, with three dedicated screen presses now installed.
According to Webster, the packaging sector, including packaging printers, represents an opportunity for the company.
“It’s more of a niche area, the barriers to entry are higher. We aim to have a diversity
of work balance between the commercial and packaging areas of the industry,” he said.
“We have plans for new equipment in the new year, as well as potentially talking to current businesses that are looking to sell and could add to the services TLC offers going forward.” 21
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