Advance
is the first printer in WA to become part of the Geon Group. The acquisition is
part of Geon Group's strategy of ongoing geographical expansion in the
Australian market in both print and mail facilities. Advance is one of the leading
printers in WA, along with Scott Print it ranks at the top of the WA print revenue
league, and boasts eight-colour and five-colour B1 presses, and a five colour
B2, all Heidelbergs. Its 50+ staff produce print for a range of sectors, with
pre-press and finishing in-house

Geon
has bought the company from current owner CTI Logistic, an ASX company, with
the sale set to go through on October 1. On completion of the purchase, the
Geon Group will comprise a total of 25 operating businesses with 14 located in Australia and 11 in New Zealand. CTI, which is mainly a transport
business, has had Advanced in its portfolio for the past two decades.

Gordon
Towell, group chief executive, Geon Group, said the Advance Press purchase was
a key strategic initiative that would enable the company to provide both a
local service to Western Australian customers, and also a comprehensive
Trans-Tasman offering from multiple sites to larger clients. He says,
"Advance Press is an exceptional print company that is highly regarded in
the Perth marketplace with an
impressive customer base. We believe it will make a strong and immediate
contribution to the Geon Group. In addition, this acquisition now provides us
with unmatched geographical coverage across Australia and New Zealand which gives us the ability
to service the large corporate market."

Advance Press will continue to operate from its Bassendean premises in Perth and will be managed by the
existing management team led by general manager Ian Smith. He says, "We
are delighted to be part of Geon, we so many synergies and opportunities as
part of the group."

Geon Group now employs more than 1,500 staff, and generates annual revenues of
approximately $400m, it is majority owned by Gresham p/e.

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