Excell buys liquidated firm for regional ‘hub and spoke’ model

The firm, based in the NSW south coast town of Pambula, acquired Batemans Bay outfit Bay Print in August. Excell already owned a Batemans Bay shop called Print Central and had another site in Merimbula.

Excell co-owner Alan Mogridge told ProPrint he had acquired Bay Print’s business name, database, artwork and also some equipment that he was now looking to offload.

He added that he had paid cash, but wouldn’t disclose the value of the deal.

Bay Print and Print Central have been merged, given the Excell name and placed in new premises.

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Mogridge said he was now focused on generating efficiencies from his 20-staff network.

“It’s loosely based on what some of the franchises in Sydney and Melbourne do where they have a central offset facility and satellite digital operations. It’s a hub and spoke system,” he said.

Pambula houses the offset equipment, which includes a four-colour with coater Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 52 and a Kodak Magnus 400 Quantum CTP system.

The other sites feature digital kit, although Batemans Bay is set to receive a two-colour Speedmaster some time in 2012.

Batemans Bay already has a Xerox 700, Epson Stylus Pro 9900 and Mimaki JV33, while Merimbula houses a Fuji Xerox DocuColor 5065.

Mogridge told ProPrint that although he had no plans for further acquisitions, nothing could be ruled out.

“It’s consolidation for the short and medium term. I don’t want to grow a monster. Batemans Bay was just an opportunity that arose and we took that opportunity. That said, we’re on the lookout for opportunities all the time and if something like that comes up we’ll consider it.”

Mogridge and his wife, Ann, bought Excell in 1998 when it employed just three staff and the Pambula site. Merimbula was opened in 2000 and Print Central in 2008, said Mogridge.

“We like to see ourselves as having the attributes of a large company but remaining relevant to our region. We’ve got quality equipment and staff and do nice work.”

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