Soar Printing managing director Fred Soar used the company’s appearance on Maori Television’s science and technology show ‘411’ recently to highlight the advantages of print and to promote the print industry.
The programme, which aired recently, features New Zealand people and organisations that encourage the use of new technology. Soar felt privileged to appear on the show and says, “I don’t have any Maori ancestry, but our aim to be the technology exemplar in the industry attracted the programme’s producers. And it was a great opportunity for us to talk about Soar’s environmental sustainability, which is the bedrock of our company philosophy.”
Soar stated during the show that print remains an inexpensive way to get a message across and that it is still going to be around for years to come. He explained to viewers how computer integrated manufacturing has moved the print industry forward. He says, “Printing companies which fail to embrace technology, and reduce their cost of manufacturing, are not efficient enough to survive. We are well on our way to our ultimate goal of the management information systems fully linked with the printing process, from planning a job through to instructing every device in the plant how to operate, and giving feedback on a job’s status at the same time. Basically, we want the diverse range of equipment to talk to each other.”
He also promoted the print industry’s efforts in sustainability, citing his own company’s achievements in certification, and using the example of its new Heidelberg presses, which have enabled Soar Printing to reduce waste and to use less paper, ink and energy. He adds, “In environmental terms, we are saving more than 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 32 tonnes of paper a year.”
While Soar’s grandfather started the company with letterpress, the present managing director says he will continue to drive the company on with the latest technology. He concludes, “It’s certainly been well worth the investment, and it was excellent to have printing featured among other high-tech industries on 411.”
