Page 14 - Print 21 Magazine Sep-Oct 2021

Printer Profile
lot of the printed output. There is also a wide format function, with a couple of Epson inkjets and a Roland DG. Shaun maintains that keeping the work in-house is mostly about retaining control of the process.
“It’s important to have control
of production, control of timing. I find my biggest disappointments have come from outsourcing. So, you know, if we tell you you can have it on Friday, it’s important we deliver. Sometimes you can’t do that if you’re depending on someone else.
“Having a strong bindery section with saddle stitching, PUR , wire and coil, enables us to deliver diverse solutions while meeting our quality requirements and deadlines. We are currently installing a new Horizon Stitchliner Mark III and a Horizon BQ-500 Perfect Binder to ensure we keep trouble free and on time for the years ahead,” he said.
“I think we have a fairly good reputation for quality and service,
for being reliable and approachable. Customers know they’re dealing direct with the owners. We don't hold any airs or graces. The buck stops with us.”
Not the biggest
Increasing in size, in revenue, in customer count, is usually a given when it comes to formulating business plans. It’s another strategy that has little appeal to the brothers McDiarmid. Apart from not employing any sales people, Shaun is actively winnowing his client list to get rid of the “tyre kickers”.
“We don’t have sales people, and we don’t canvass people. We have clients. We dabbled in reps but we
Right
Busy print factory: At work in Castle Hill
Below
Long time printing: Kevin Bingley has
20 years with Emerald
didn’t really want to go to that next level. We’re probably doing a bit less now than before, but we’re more targeted. We’re doing what we do and not really looking to grow, just get to a nice profitable level,” he said
are valued, it’s notable that most employees at Emerald Press are able to turn their hands to anything. On the factory floor people take pride
in multi-tasking, moving from the press to the guillotine, even to the foiler and the Horizon bindery line. It’s a work practice that makes the company stand out when it comes to employee retention. Many of the 20 staff have been with the business for more than ten years, while the leading printer, Kevin Bingley, is well over 20 years. It’s a tribute to the casual and relatively unstructured workplace environment. “Not many people leave. I wish I knew how much we’ve paid out in long-service entitlements over the years,” laughs Shaun.
There are no print awards certificates in the Emerald Press foyer, because the brothers have never bothered to enter. “Lack of self-promotion is probably our greatest weakness,” said Michael wryly. Likewise, their relationship with other printers, outside business hours, centres on events organised
by David Currie and his Group. It’s something they look forward to while attending trade shows, such as the upcoming PacPrint in Melbourne.
There is an old fashioned courtesy about Michael’s attitude to other printers and competition. While taking all the business that comes his way, he trusts his trade partners to do the right thing.
“I believe in reciprocating and while that might seem naïve, it’s important to be able to trust one another. Other printers are not the enemy; we’re all in the same boat. We go to events organised by David Currie and we know the majority of the guys there. Printers like to pick one another’s brains, get advice. The people who ‘get it’ are honest and loyal. The others don’t matter.
“And you’re right, we have no long-term plans. We’re just going with the vibe.” 21
“We don’t have sales people, and we don’t canvass people. We have clients.” – Shaun McDiarmid
“We’re a very relationship-based business. Some clients have been with us for the best part of 30 years. With good clients the relationship stands firm. Sales people were always dealing with people looking for the cheapest prices. With work like that you’re only as good as your last job. I’m trying to get rid of those clients. They come in occasionally, want
the cheapest prices and demand everything. They’re not worth it.” When it comes to internet print
ordering Shaun is equally ambiguous. The company has a website but no plan to develop online e-commerce.
“We have an online presence. We have a website. We’re getting some inquiries through it. But we don’t really fit the online box. Our type of work relies on people knowing what they want. Then there are the others who come to us not knowing and need us to tell them what they want.”
Clients know what to expect with Emerald Press, which has been in
the same Castle Hill location now
for more than 20 years. Its line-up
of equipment, based around the two Shinoharas, one five-colour with coater, the other a five-colour, along with the Indigo and the Iridesse digitals, is classic commercial printing.
“Indigo is the best digital machine, it does beautiful work. We get
clients coming to us purely because they know we have an Indigo,” said Michael, in an endorsement that will surely be music to David Currie’s ears.
In an industry where trade skills
14 Print21 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021