OPUS Print Group has made a strategic move into the offset market with the acquisition of two Canberra based print companies, CanPrint Communications (CanPrint) and Union Offset Printers (Union Offset). The group says the move extends its business into government printing – adding to its existing divisions of Short-Medium Run Book Printing and Out of Home Printing.
Sharing the same Fyshwick facility, both CanPrint and Union Offset are large scale operations that print for a range of Government and Commercial clients. The businesses, which were co-owned by David Daniels and Keith Halpin handle a large quantity of restricted Government print work and therefore a high level of security is paramount.The businesses also provide full ancillary services such as inventory management, direct mailing and call centre facilities to deliver a total print management solution.
Cliff Brigstocke, CEO of Opus Print Group says it was an attractive acquisition because of the companies’ government and commercial clientele, adding that the print group is only interested in purchasing successful stand alone businesses.
He says, “We continue to pursue our strategy of only joining forces with high performing businesses that make our group stronger. We are delighted to welcome the CanPrint and Union Offset teams under the Opus Print Group banner and as with all of our people, they will have our full support to grow and succeed.”
Brigstock continues that even with the troubled economic climate the move will significantly expand the group’s printing capacity. He also says it will be business as usual at the two Canberra companies with no redundancies or management changes.
He says, “The facility includes a new Heidelberg 10 colour press an eight colour and a six colour, as well as a range of sheet fed equipment and an Oce Digiweb 7450. We are investing in the long term so we are not worrying about the short term.”
David Daniel owner and GM of CanPrint says there are significant opportunities in partnering with OPUS Print Group, particularly Ligare – one of Australia’s best regarded book printers.
He says, “Ligare’s specialist offering is a complementary to ours and I look forward to the many operational benefits that will be achieved such as greater cross selling and resource allocation.”
Opus says the move is expected to boost the group’s revenue and total workforce headcount by more than 50 per cent. Opus companies will also gain direct access to the commercial print capabilities of CanPrint & Union Offset.
Meanwhile, CanPrint and Union Offset have become the first printers in the ACT to be certified under the Australian Forestry Certification Scheme (AFCS).
The joint entity, which uses around 3000 tonnes of paper per year, says it can now offer businesses and customers the option to use paper that can be traced back to its raw source – a legally logged forest.
