Page 78 - Print21 March-April 2022

People in Print
the OVERflow
QLM makes major move with Elna Press acquisition
Australian and SE Asia label printing business QLM has acquired Melbourne-based label printer Elna Press, and will move
its Victorian operations into the Elna factory as its main manufacturing base.
Established in 1958 by Elsie and Neville Coon, Elna has a history of service and innovation, and is responsible for some major breakthroughs in domestic label printing. Trevor Coon, former managing director of Elna Press, will now take a consultancy role with the business.
QLM says the deal creates
a comprehensive Australian manufacturing platform for the QLM Group, significantly adding to its manufacturing capabilities, while Elna customers will see an expanded
range of products and services including premium and blank labels, folded cartons, flexible packaging and the sale and service of thermal and colour label printers and consumables.
Simon Pugh, managing director of QLM Labelmakers
said, “The QLM Group maintains the need
for strong Australian ownership and diverse manufacturing operations that offer an alternative to the multinationals who now own the majority of the label space.
Done deal: Simon Pugh (right) shakes with Trevor Coon as QLM acquires Elna
“The completion of this acquisition takes the QLM Group to a local market presence, where it is able to compete with multinational companies, while still remaining true to QLM’s mission to create long-term, mutually rewarding relationships with all of our stakeholders.”
Coon said “After 63 years
in business, as one of the founding label manufacturers in Australia, our family has decided to pass the baton on
to a new team to take Elna to the next level. We are delighted that Elna Press will be in the capable hands of Simon Pugh and his team at QLM.” 21
Moving on after a decade: Jenny Harris, Visual Connections
Harris leaves Visual Connections after a decade
Jenny Harris, who has been events manager at suppliers’ association Visual Connections for more than a decade, has moved on from the role, to focus on her family and personal priorities.
Harris has been an integral part of the organisation’s events team, first at the Visual Industries Sign Association, working on the Visual Impact
Expos and, following that the organisation’s merger with the Graphic Arts Merchants Association in 2015, for Visual Connections.
This expanded her remit to include the PacPrint, PrintEx and the Label & Packaging Expos, and she has also been pivotal in the organisation of the annual Asga / Fespa Australia Awards and Conference and,
more recently, the Printing Industry Creativity Awards and the 38th National Print Awards.
“Events organisation is challenging at the best of times, with endless details to be arranged, confirmed and executed for every aspect of every event,” said Peter Harper, CEO of Visual Connections, “but Jenny has handled it all with aplomb.” 21
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