Page 68 - Print21 magazine Sep-Oct 2022

People in Print
the OVERflow
Close the Loop acquires Alliance Paper
Innovative material recycling business Close the Loop Group has acquired Alliance
Paper, and will develop products to hasten the switch from plastic to fibre-based packaging.
It is aiming to launch paper- based alternatives to packaging for areas including pouches and flow wrap packaging. Close the Loop has already been trialling new fibre-based products with Alliance Paper through its OF Flexo division.
Joe Foster, CEO of Close the Loop said the opportunities, both in Australia and the US, are “huge” for packaging and circular recycling. 21
Above : Fibre focus: Joe Foster, Close The Loop
Jill Cowling becomes NZ Blue Star Group CEO
Jill Cowling has been made group chief executive officer of New Zealand’s Blue Star Group, encompassing both the Blue Star and Webstar operations, the biggest print business in the country.
The new role running the Blue Star Group is effectively the biggest job in New Zealand print. Blue Star operates
from ten locations across
New Zealand, with eight
print and fulfilment
centres stretching
from Auckland to
Dunedin. Webstar
operates from
plants in
Auckland and
Masterton.
Cowling was
already CEO
of Blue Star, and
now takes over the
Webstar business too, following the dpearture of long-term incumbent Bernie Roberts. Cowling has been with Blue Star since 2012, and had a seven year stint with Blue Star Australia prior to that.
Blue Star Group CEO: Jill Cowling
Roberts took over as CEO of Webstar nine years ago post- Geon, stepping up from general manager, and successfully navigated the business through Covid during New Zealand’s punishing lockdown policy, which included the complete shutdown of virtually all the country’s magazine publishing.
The Blue Star Group is owned by Mercury Capital and Tom Sturgess, with Webstar now
the only heatset web printer on the North Island.
Mercury also owns Webstar’s biggest
customer, Are Media
(formerly Bauer, formerly ACP).
Are Media now also owns what was Ovato’s
NZ retail distribution business, while Ovato itself
pulled out of New Zealand heatset earlier this year,
closing its Auckland plant, leaving Webstar as the only heatset printer on the North Island. Independent operation Inkwise operates heatset on the South Island. 21
Ball & Doggett acquires Coniglio’s Conect
Ball & Doggett is beefing up its presence in the sign and display market
with the acquisition of Conect Enterprises, which supplies a wide range of media, machinery and accessories to the market.
Australia’s largest supplier of printable materials says the deal “solidifies Ball & Doggett’s already strong position as a leading supplier to the signage market”.
Conect Enterprises was established in 1985, and is privately owned by Tony and Pam Coniglio, who will stay with the business for a short transition period. Conect has offices and distribution sites in both NSW and Victoria, with some 35 staff, who will all be staying with the business.
Rob Brussolo, general manager Sign, Display & Digital for Ball & Doggett, said, “We are looking forward to, over time, integrating the Conect team with Ball & Doggett. We will continue to invest in the signage market, to ensure we provide greater customer value.”
trade independently for the time being, to ensure a smooth transition for staff, customers and suppliers. Tony Coniglio, owner of Conect, said, “The acquisition is good for our customers, suppliers and
staff. Ball & Doggett has the resources and infrastructure to take the business forward. It is
Left: Greater value to customers: Tony Coniglio, (left), managing director, Conect, with Luke Wilkinson, CEO, Ball & Doggett
about leveraging our combined strengths to provide greater value and options to support our customers.”
“This is an exciting next step in our diversification strategy and we welcome the Conect Team into the Ball & Doggett family, further strengthening our offer to the Signage market," said Luke Wilkinson CEO Ball & Doggett.
Ball & Doggett has a
long history of acquiring organisations to further strengthen and diversify its offering to the market. 21
Conect will continue to 68 Print21 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022