Imagination Graphics is now offering finishing services in-house after director Emmanuel Buhagiar purchased equipment from another printer, who is also now doing print management work under the same roof.
Emmanuel Buhagiar told Sprinter the opportunity presented itself when the owner of a Sydney-based printer, who he has had close ties with, was considering selling his business.
“The owner was wanting to see what he could do with his business and was considering selling it as work was slowing down during COVID-19,” Buhagiar told Sprinter.
“We’ve been giving each other a fair amount of work that we couldn’t handle over many years, so when the conversation about what he wanted to do with his business came up, I suggested that he print manage his work from Imagination.
“This way, the business can rent space at Imagination and get to use our machinery for 90 per cent of its work, but most importantly also get to keep its business running and service its clients.”
As part of this move, the Sydney-based printer moved into Imagination, with Buhagiar taking on some of the finishing equipment including a folding machine, two laminating machines, a cello-glazing machine, and a perfect binder.
“I bought over some of the equipment, which were good, that I needed at Imagination. The investment gave us that extra boost in the finishing department as it enabled us to do more finishing and short-run work in house,” Buhagiar said.
Imagination Graphics also took on two staff from the business.
“We obviously needed extra staff to continue the work of both businesses so took on two of its staff. That has helped us, at Imagination, immensely. There’s plenty of synergies between both businesses and it’s a good setup for both businesses,” he said.
“Many print service providers have gone out of business following COVID, so it’s not about competition anymore but collaboration. This is a sensible agreement that benefits both businesses and frankly, has given Imagination more work.”
Imagination Graphics has been on an upward curve since the business was affected by the Sydney floods a year ago.
Since then Buhagiar got insurance approvals to order new machinery and has installed a replacement Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1 at its premises.
The company has also amped up its efforts within the labels space as a result of the changes brought about in the industry following the COVID-19 pandemic.
It branched out to do corflute signs, in addition to pull-up banners, brochures, floor signage, and reception COVID screens.
“Printers that want to keep their businesses alive in a COVID-19 world will have to evolve to keep their business moving forward. You have got to embrace technology; you have got to embrace what’s out there in the market; You’ve got to keep your eyes and ears open,” Buhagiar said previously.
“And whatever comes your way, don’t be scared to take it on. Learn to do it, that’s my philosophy.”
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