Sydney business Luminar, formerly known as Avonlea Labels, is seeing significant change, moving to a new location, rebranding and purchasing new equipment.
The new premises in Riverstone, within north-west Sydney, is four times larger than its previous site in Castle Hill, aligning with Luminar’s aim to expand its services and product offerings.
The company has also invested in a new HP Indigo 20000 digital label and packaging printer, which it says will allow it to offer a wider range of packaging options, and work with shorter run lengths and quicker turnarounds in flexibles. In addition to the new press, Luminar is also investing in two additional finishing machines for the flexibles line.
Matt Ellis, managing director and owner of Luminar says, “I had been looking for a new premises for about nine months before we found the Riverstone site. The challenge was finding a place that could provide the amount of power we need, and enough space to grow. We are bringing in three new machines and looking forward to expanding our capacity.
“The old site was around 320sqm, whereas our new facility is about 1200sqm.
“The site was on the market for one day, we snapped it up straight away. We wanted to minimise downtime during our relocation, so we could keep looking after our clients.
“We staggered our move and were down for two days. We stacked up our printed material to keep the finishing line running while we relocated and installed our print machinery. By the time our finishing machinery was operational, they had print material ready to convert.”
On the new HP printer, Ellis adds, “The flexibles sector grew a lot for us in the past twelve months. We currently have a WS6800 narrow web press. We are now focusing on disrupting the flexible packaging market with a 100 per cent digital offering.
“I purchased the 20000 around three or four weeks ago, it is going to be installed in January next year.
“We have operated HP Indigo presses for over 6 years now. We decided to continue with the Indigo technology because it was the only narrow web digital press with unrivalled quality suitable for flexible packaging.
[Related: Imagination buys Mimaki press]
“The 20000 has a 762mm width, which is wider than anything else on the market. It gives us a broader range of capabilities and expands our offering.
“We are one of the first companies in Australia that offer digital flexible packaging locally. What makes us different is that we have partnered up with industry experts that bridge the gap between our print technology and a functional end-use product.”
On the company’s rebranding, Ellis says, “The name of the business came from the street it was founded. It was old school and while we are proud of our history, we felt that the brand did not reflect the improvements and innovations as well as pigeonholing us into customers thinking we only offer labels. We wanted our new name to show who we are, and our where we are going.
“When we were brainstorming, we thought of Lume, a latin word which means light. Luminar is an extension for that. We see ourselves as shedding light, on our customer’s products.
“We have a solid flexible packaging foundation already. Next year, our major focus will be expanding our pouches, rewind, shrink sleeve & labels business. We strive for excellence in all areas and will continue to optimise and improve our operations.
“We have around 14 staff, with an appetite to hire a few more as we continue to expand.”
Luminar has moved five times since the business was established in 1970.
Ellis says, “I am the third owner. It started on Avonlea Road in Carlingford, then it moved to the then owner’s garage in Glenhaven, before going to my dad’s garage when he bought it and I helped him move it out. I purchased the business over a year ago from my Dad, who still consults in the business.
“I see great opportunities in the print market, with many key decision makers phasing into retirement, leaving a gap for Gen Y to give customers what they want.
“I have been a part of the business for a long time and it is a part of who I am. It was a no-brainer to buy it and continue the family legacy.”
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