Page 28 - Prnt21 magazine Jan-Feb 2023

| Print Profile | Franchise
The Minuteman Press franchise in Springvale, VIC has achieved record sales, moved to a new location, bought a wide format business, and is celebrating 20 years in business.
FGrowth outlook
or the past 20 years At a time when the print
Fiona and Rod industry is rapidly evolving, Johns Johns have owned says that reaching 20 years means Minuteman Press in “we definitely picked the right Springvale, Victoria. industry to be in. We have made it
In March they achieved record work and I enjoy coming to work
offer new solutions, and sees great results from that, for instance it recently went into production of A3 signaling drawings, which are all
on synthetic stock. Through word
of mouth it landed a couple of big contracts to do this type of printing.
EXPANDING RANGE
It is also expanding its range of print products, now printing labels and books. And it has worked hard on streamlining its production and finishing areas, with turnaround times improving as a result, allowing it to get through more jobs per month.
The key growth areas are labels, books, wide format, and graphic design. Johns says, “These four areas have really pushed our business along. We invested in a label machine and now can offer short
(or long) run labels on rolls. We
do a lot of graphic design for other print related businesses, and for our clients. We have invested in two wide format printers and have grown that area of our business. We print a lot of short to medium runs of books, which has been a real growth area.”
After 20 years in business and still going for growth, Johns has some skin in the game, and is happy to share what she has learned on the road to success. She says, “Clearly understand what you are getting yourself into
and ask lots of questions. Understand success doesn’t happen overnight. Surround yourself with good staff
and don’t be scared to let the wrong people go. Use the knowledge of the other franchisee owners. Keep up with technology. Build a relationship with your suppliers, they will work with you if they trust and know you. Most important is customer service. Clients will never leave if you treat them well and produce quality products on time and at a competitive price.”
monthly sales for their business, and two months later they bought an existing wide format business, and relocated to a new facility at 29b Glenvale Crescent, Mulgrave.
“Having the staff who provide excellent customer service and produce a quality product means everything.” Fiona Johns, owner, Minuteman Press
every single day”.
She says there are three keys to the
success of the business. “First, our incredible staff is the most important. Having the staff who provide excellent customer service and produce a quality product means everything.
“Second it is providing a
good positive ethos in our work environment and for our customers, and third keeping abreast of the latest technology and ensuring our staff are well trained.”
PRO-ACTIVE APPROACH
When it comes to growing the business Johns says taking a pro- active approach has been key to the results it has seen over the years.
She is a big believer in getting the message out there. She says, “I think it’s important to do a mix of things
to promote your business. We have done email mailouts, print mailouts, face-to-face marketing. Shop signage is important as well as the use of A-frames. We have a Facebook page, Instagram, the website and a Google presence. I have been in BNI for 20 years and Rotary for five years. We have used promotional products and wear Minuteman Press clothing.
One of our most productive ways of getting new business now is customer referrals. We also have purchased other printing businesses, and are negotiating to purchase another one.”
The business is not afraid to
The new building is treble the size of the former site, the company had outgrown where it was, and needed more room to be more efficient, and to be able to fit more printing and finishing machinery.
There was already a printing business in the new location, which the Johns acquired as the owner was looking to retire. That business is more focused on wide format printing, which the Johns had been looking
at expanding into, and they saw the opportunity to grow the business list.
Fiona Johns said, “We were incredibly excited to move on many fronts. We have been able to spread out and set up a better workflow. It also means we have the capability of buying stock in bulk and therefore negotiating better prices. We have more defined areas, which I think makes work easier for my staff and therefore keeps them happy.”
Above:
20 years strong for Minuteman Press, Springvale: (l-r) Fiona Johns, owner; Lauren West, print production; Rose Naga, graphic designer; and Emma Jones, bindery manager
28 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023