The new hub, which is yet to be named is expected to house two, two colour offset presses as well as a five colour press and an on-site office. The facility will be staffed by around five press operators and a production manager at any one time.

El Gabaili says the aim for the hub is to have around eight members, adding that five Sydney printers have already shown interest in the venture. He believes joining a hub is a great way for smaller printers to access the latest technology, reduce overheads and have all the accreditations required to win quality and enviroment sensitive clients.

El Gabaili says, “The equipment and technology will be the latest including web to print and CTP, which a lot of smaller printers can’t afford. If you are a small printer 2009 has great opportunities if we work efficiently and collaborate, because if we have good facilities we can concentrate on our customers.”

For printers who may be apprehensive about sharing a facility with other companies, El Gabaili admits it requires a shift in thinking in regards to timing, however he assures printers there is no set criteria to join a hub and almost any printer is likely to benefit.

He says, “Some people used to judge the success of their business by how big their machines are I like to judge mine by how big my profits are at the end of the week. With the financial situation at the moment the money is not there so we need to look at how we can work as a group.”

Once a number of companies join the hub, the group will buy from its members the latest and most appropriate equipment for the hub’s print work.

The new hub will be based in Auburn in the same industrial complex as the, Cooperative Sydney Digital Print hub.

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