The new facility was opened by the federal member for Banks, Daryl Melham MP (pictured, centre), who said he was “staggered by the size of the facility”.
The new facility features an Océ VarioPrint 6250 sheet printer capable of producing 250 A4 double-sided sheets per minute. Ligare chief executive Cliff Brigstocke (pictured, right) saying that there may be plans to introduce another 6250 soon.
On the web-fed side, there is also an Océ VarioStream 7450, capable of producing the equivalent of 880 pages per minute. An Océ 2110 is now on site for smaller runs of products such as invoices and financial statements, as well as an Océ 620 colour printer. This Océ kit joins the Océ CS9000 colour printer that was already on site.
On the finishing front, the facility houses an inline saddle-stitcher and a Horizon BQ270 short-run perfect binding line, as well as a Sitma purpose-built mailing machine that inserts and wraps for lodgment.
Click here to see pictures of the new facility’s grand opening.
Brigstocke described the new facility as “stage 1” of the re-development of the site.
“Ligare has grown up here and as the business has expanded; we moved into adjoining properties. Whilst this has worked well, the time has come to be more effective in our processes and our workflow.”
The Ligare CEO also claimed that the footprint of the facility “is around 50% less than its conventional counterparts, allowing for more output and reduced expenses on things like rental”.
Brigstocke added that the move reflected the “strong growth in digital printing and short run binding”.
“Whilst conventional printing will continue to be a mainstay of this business, combining our print solution with digital is very much our strategy. The increasing demand for shorter runs and faster turnaround continues at pace. Digital printing is an ideal solution for us as it allows a much faster turnaround.”
Brigstocke also shrugged off any speculation that the current economic downturn meant it wasn’t a good time for a business to expand.
“Businesses in tough economic times can do a number of things. At Ligare, we have chosen to selectively invest to ensure our future is assured. We are also conscious that now is a good time to further highlight differences between Ligare and our competition.”
Melham agreed, saying that “a business has to evolve to stay competitive”.
Described by Ligare executive chairman Richard Celarc (pictured, left) as a “true local supporter”, Melham credited Ligare with employing a workforce where some 83% of the workers live within ten minutes of the facility.
The local member was also full of praise for Ligare as an SME enterprise.
“Big businesses are the biggest whingers in the world, but the growth always comes from medium and small businesses,” Melham said.
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