Platypus won 12 of the 36 categories on offer and also bagged two special awards, while Cornerstone went home with four gold medals.
The PICAs were held at the Hilton Brisbane on 1 September. Click here for the full list of winners.
The two Brisbane firms have long enjoyed a friendly rivalry: Platypus owner Tom Lusch used to work at Inprint with Cornerstone founder Peter Conomos. His son, Robbie Conomos, who is Cornerstone’s current general manager, has known ‘Luschy’ all his life.
Conomos, 25, said he liked and respected his older rival, but was determined to turn his company into Brisbane’s leading printer and PICA winner.
“Competition is getting closer and closer every year and we’re starting to nip at their heels… We’re looking to knock Platypus off their perch,” he told ProPrint.
Conomos said he had already set his 22 staff the goal of winning more medals at next year’s PICAs.
Lusch, who led Platypus to an 11-gold haul last year, said he welcomed the competition.
“There’s a little bit of rivalry and friendship there,” he said.
Lusch told ProPrint that Platypus’ success reflected its focus on quality.
“We get a lot of good jobs to do. Customers trust us with quality jobs. Most of those jobs aren’t for every printer.”
Lusch said although the 80-staff operation now derived 65% of its revenue from packaging, commercial printing awards gave it added credibility when trying to win new packaging clients.
Thirteen other companies left the PICAs with gold medals.
Geon and Inprint Brisbane each won three, while Avon Graphics, Bayfield Printing and PMP Print were double winners.
The other golds went to BB Print, City Printing Works, Greenridge Press, Heaneys Performers in Print, IPG Print, Kuhn Corp Press, Label Print Systems and QLM Label Makers.
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