Page 66 - Print21 November-December 2022

People in Print
the OVERflow
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Folding carton focus: Ovato Packaging becomes part of
Platypus Print Packaging
has a couple of B1 sheetfed presses, including a Heidelberg XL, as well as die-cutters and other converting equipment.
Platypus runs a pair of Koenig & Bauer B1 presses,
the latest a six-colour Rapida 106X with UV coater installed six months ago, as part of an investment programme that also included a new folder gluer and a new laminating line.
The company was established by Tom Lusch 40 years ago
as a trade printer, and made
its move into packaging in
1999 with the acquisition of McNiven’s Packaging. Today folding carton represents the majority of the company’s work.
Ovato went into administration four months ago, with the heatset side of
the business bought by IVE. Its non-core businesses including books, distribution and marketing services were all sold off before the business hit
the skids. 21
RLigare amps up laminating with Hilton
Platypus aims for top in Ovato deal
Platypus Print Packaging is aiming to be a leading Australian-owned folding carton printer,
following its acquisition of the Ovato packaging business.
Aaron Lusch, director at Platypus said, “The purchase
will increase our folding carton manufacturing capacity and allow us to realise the synergies of the two businesses. Our five year strategic plan focused on organic growth, however this acquisition supports our objectives to become the leading Australian owned folding carton manufacturer.”
Of the big three folding carton printers in Australia two, GPI
and WestRock, are US owned, while the third, Opal is owned by Nippon Paper. Platypus is now the main folding carton printer in Queensland.
Following the deal the Ovato brand will disappear, with
the business becoming part
of Platypus Print Packaging. Staffing levels are not yet finalised. Like Platypus the Ovato packaging business is folding carton focused.
Ovato’s packaging business was a minor part of the Ovato business with less than 10
per cent of revenue, but still a significant size. Pepsico is one of its clients.
Lusch said, “The Ovato packaging business is a good business that has had the challenge of being a small business unit within a much larger business. The business purchase decision was favourable, due to the business having some good equipment and customers in industries where we have less of a presence.”
Ovato production equipment, based at the Brisbane plant, will be moved and integrated into the Platypus plant at Geebung over Christmas and the New Year. This includes selected operational kit, and equipment which can be easily repaired. Ovato Packaging
iverwood-based Ligare heating that can run up to 60 Book Printers is metres per minute, he says. enhancing its finishing Peck first saw the “impressive” output with the GMB systems at the Shanghai
purchase of the GMB 1050 pallet trade show. He said, “Heating is
to pallet laminating system, installed by Hilton Laminating.
Ligare first purchased a laminating system from Hilton Laminating 20 years ago, and John Peck, founder, Hilton Laminating, says the family- owned business is delighted
to maintain its longstanding relationship with the Australian book printer.
The GMB 1050 was on display at PacPrint this year, and Peck points out that the 5.6-metre- long laminating system, which was hard to miss, captured
the interest of Ligare, who was looking for a system that could run at high speeds to enhance its finishing output. Ligare
was impressed by its induction
Longstanding relationship: (l-r) Richard Celarc, Ligare; James Peck, Hilton Laminating; and Mukesh Chand, Ligare, in front of the GMB 1050
the most important factor when it comes to quality laminating and the GMB systems provide next level electromagnetic induction heating, which is a game changer in the laminating sphere.
“The other issue is that heating is always a factor when we service laminators. As the GMB systems offer external heating, equipment downtime will decrease and in turn ensure the longevity of the equipment with simplified repairs.
“This is the fourth GMB system installed in Australia. Since these systems have been installed, we have had minimum call backs and no service requirements,” said Peck.
Ligare is part of the Opus Group. 21
66 Print21 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022