The 30-staff printer is three months into the 18-month business program, which is run by the PIAA’s training partner, Skilled Force.

Eastern Press owner Frank Hilliard told ProPrint the program was a “large commitment”. Each staff member will dedicate around 60 hours to training sessions across the 18 months.

“We wanted to try and encourage people from the shopfloor up to have their say in how the business is being run, rather than always being told how things are done by management,” he said.

“If we have staff participation in decision-making it has a better chance of survival, I have around six staff members who are already very active in and their input has been of benefit to the business.”

The PIAA said the program takes a “whole of business approach to reduce costs, increase profits, improve customer service and enhance quality by identifying and removing all forms of waste, whether it’s time and process waste to handling and material waste”.

Participating companies include Lindsay Yates Group, Geon Group, TMA Group, Crystal Printing and Bambra Press.

Pictured: clockwise from back left corner Matt Cariss, Andrew Hull, David Weinert and Tarryn Mills.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter