In this, the second in a three part series, we provide the bios of the 2023 ProPrint Awards winners in the Printer 50 category, which were recognised in places from 11 to 25, at the prestigious event held at Shangri-La Sydney on 3 November.
The winners recognised are:
11 Frank Mezo
Managing Director | MEZOGRAPHIC
Frank is recognised for being able to ‘get things done’. Trade printer Mezographic has been awarded several supplier awards over the years, including being Stream Solutions Supplier of the Year for five years running. Frank constantly invests in new equipment and technologies in the large format print space. At the FESPA Global Print Expo in Munich Frank purchased a Durst P5 350 HS D4 with full automation – the first of its kind in Australia, as well as a swissQprint Kudu. This new kit, along with Mezographic′s existing equipment is to be housed in the company′s new facility, which was purchased last year. Frank is a member of FESPA Australia and regularly attends overseas trade shows to stay abreast of what’s new in the industry.
12 Andrew Reynolds
Specialist Technical Trainer | NOTE PRINTING AUSTRALIA
Andrew is recognised for his commitment to raising the profile of the printing industries as a place for young people to build a career. He notes that as a communication industry, printing does not sell itself very well as a career choice. In addition to running on-the-job-training and development for apprentices at the company, Andrew is also extremely active within the LIA in building strengthened connections between industry and high schools. This includes raising awareness at career expos and through state government partnerships. He is passionate about promoting print as a green option.
13 Baden Kirgan
Managing Director | PLANET PRESS
A third-generation printer, Baden took over the family print shop Jeffries Printing in 2000 when it was a jobbing printer specialising in carbonless book work. He built the company into a print and mail shop concentrating on short run publishing and niche mailing work. In 2022 he purchased the venerable Sydney company Planet Press, merging the companies into a group with 30 staff and A1 firepower.
Baden works with people in government and regularly highlights the importance of print in their everyday tasks. He attributes much of his success to finding printers that he can work with collegially and staying away from those deemed untrustworthy.
14 Aleisha Gill
Owner | KWIK KOPY EAGLE FARM
Aleisha has spent two decades in the print industry, starting out as receptionist, estimator, customer service officer and ultimately Kwik Kopy Eagle Farm franchise owner after successfully managing the Kwik Kopy Strathpine franchise for eight years.
As the owner of Kwik Kopy Eagle Farm for less than a year, she has not only stabilised the struggling centre but also initiated its growth and upgraded multiple machines and has been instrumental in its Sustainable Green Print Level 2 certification, which was achieved in May.
15 Cliff Brigstocke
CEO – Production and Distribution | IVE GROUP
Cliff is recognised for his long-standing senior leadership in the industry and enduring passion for print and its ability to communicate with products that are tangible, authoritative, and full of colour and life.
Cliff was integral in the acquisition of Active Display Group and AFI Branding, a move which has expanded IVE’s footprint in the market.
He is passionate about environmental sustainability and has been involved in broadening IVE’s ESG policies in the past three years. Having external support, he has taken the company’s ESG strategy up a notch, which is soon to be shared publicly.
16 Bianca Martin
Commercial Manager | IVE GROUP
Bianca was introduced to the print industry in 2014 when she left half a lifetime of corrugated boxes to join a small business broker, managing the print and point-of-sale collateral for Hallmark Cards. In 2016 she moved to Blue Star Group (now IVE) and advanced to the role of client services manager within two years, and ultimately was a key stakeholder in delivering and training staff in a new ERP system. Bianca took on the role of commercial manager in 2019 and in 2021 when IVE acquired Active Display Group, played a pivotal role in training and integrating the sales and project manager processes. She recently took on a board position with FESPA and is helping to develop the framework of industry youth development programs.
17 Jamie & Jason Xuereb
Founders | MEDIAPOINT
The Xuereb brothers started this trade-only print business over 13 years ago and are proud that each year it has grown by 20 per cent. Mediapoint has over 1000 active trade customers and does all it can to meet their needs to the highest standard. A Durst partner, Mediapoint is committed to moving the business forward by having the highest ‘green’ standards due to Durst’s UV inks and a stringent waste recycling program. Jamie oversees sales and business development, and regularly highlights printing’s role in manufacturing on social media while Jason looks after production. As Jamie puts it, “I am the face and Jason is the muscle”. The brothers are committed to developing their staff and implementing green initiatives.
18 Nina Nguyen
Founder | PAKKO
Nina is recognised for starting Pakko, an Australian owned company with a vision to be the world’s most versatile cardboard manufacturer.
At the heart of the business is a commitment to making a positive, sustainable, and meaningful contribution to the manufacturing and print industries by educating and inspiring customers, teams, and stakeholders.
Nina is a big believer in ‘stronger together’ and is always on the lookout for collaborations with other printers and suppliers as it is these networks which will strengthen print’s reputation.
19 Rodney Frost
CEO | LAMSON GROUP
Rodney has worked in the print and communications industry since 1996. In addition to running his own family business which has included diversifying the operation with the Philippines-based Integrated OS business, Rodney is also the treasurer of the of the VMA following the merger of TRMC and PVCA. This role provides Rodney with the opportunity to discuss the importance of uniting the industry with a single voice to all channel partners. He is known for being generous with his time and is always happy to help industry colleagues strengthen their business with sound and considered advice. Over the past 12 months Lamson Group has invested a lot of working capital into paper post Maryvale Mill closing, to ensure they played a part to help their partners.
20 Leon Wilson
Director/Passionate Print Geek | REVOLUTION PRINT
At the age of 37, Leon is on a personal mission to create the future of print. The sole owner of Revolution Print, he spends his days building a group of young professionals to lead the industry, investing in the latest technology, and searching the world to find how to make the impossible, possible.
Leon has invested in solar panelling and LED lighting and utilises equipment which generates minimal waste.
As both a business leader and an industry leader, Leon loves to share his passion, and is often seen at industry events throughout Australia, either as a spectator or guest speaker.
21 Kirsten Taylor
Creative Print Director & Owner | TAYLOR’D PRESS
After entering the print industry over 20 years ago, Kirsten′s passion for creativity, education, and a collaborative industry has enriched her growth process. She strives for success as a spirited leader within her business and industry, has completed leadership training with Women & Leadership Australia, obtaining her Certificate III in Printing & Graphic Arts, is a personal and professional growth coach, and is completing a Bachelor of Psychology. She is a current board member for PrintEx/PacPrint and has been a print judge for the past two years for the Diemen Awards and past patron for Women in Print. Her business, which is co-owned with her husband James, sees its doors open to University and TAFE to assist in the education of print and production.
22 Yianni Moratidis
Director | GENR8 PRINTING
Yianni is a popular and amusing industry player, recognised for helping businesses see how harnessing the power of social media can promote print.
An advocate for self-learning on YouTube, he also produces videos to inform and entertain, so it is not surprising that he first started out his career in entertainment.
Moving into the printing industry seemed a natural progression for this can-do entrepreneur, who owns four businesses in Newcastle and keeps expanding.
23 Debbie Burgess & John Bright
Joint Managing Directors | BRIGHT PRINT GROUP
This brother and sister team are fourth generation printers and they well and truly have print in their veins.
They are both recognised for their commitment to their 61-year-old successful family business and its mission to provide high quality print and environmental standards, as evidenced through continual certification to ISO 14001 since 2008.
They also support the industry more broadly through Debbie’s voluntary role as the NSW Women in Print Patron and the addition of the Twenty-20 trade bindery service. Bright Print is also a gold sponsor of the Penrith Museum of Printing and supports Ronald McDonald House Charities through volunteer programs and donations.
24 Kenneth Beck-Pedersen & Peter Musarra
Founders and Directors | CARBON8
Kenneth and Peter are recognised for their high energy and creative approach to print and the service they provide to the country’s biggest property developers and most respected agencies.
They have earned the respect of their peers, coming away with a record medal haul at the 2022 National Print Awards, and continue to push boundaries for what can be produced using the most modern machinery and traditional processes.
They are leading the green revolution as well, sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy from the grid since 2021, supported by over 150 solar panels providing baseload power to the plant.
25 Romeo Sanuri
Managing Director | NEXT PRINTING
Romeo transitioned from IT to print 20 years ago and is a thoughtful and collaborative leader who enjoys working with others to find the best solutions. He sees competition and collaboration as integral for the industry as otherwise there would be a monopoly which he says would not benefit anyone. Sustainability is a key focus with Reboard technology adopted almost 10 years ago. Seeing major brands and agencies embrace paper/cardboard instead of plastics has fuelled the growth of Next Printing. The company recently won the Global FESPA Silver award in Munich for its sustainability stand design for the Clarins Pop-Up Store.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Note: All category winners will be published in the December 2023 issue of ProPrint.
If you would like more information about the ProPrint Awards, including sponsorship enquiries for 2024, email: carmen@proprint.com.au or call 0410 582 450.
Sponsors
Massive thanks to our sponsors – without them we could not run these awards!
Platinum Sponsor – Durst Oceania
Gold Sponsors – Ball & Doggett, FUJFILM Australia, HP, IVE Group, Kwik Kopy Australia, Pozitive and Visual Connections
Silver Sponsors – Böttcher Systems, Bright Print Group, Cactus Imaging, Canon Production Printing Australia, Graph-Pak, Konica Minolta, KURZ, Lamson Paragon, OKI, PAKKO, Ricoh, and Spicers
Auditing Partner – PKF
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