Printcraft, one of the largest independently owned printers in Brisbane has bought out its nearby competitor Fergies, taking one of Australia’s oldest print business into a new era after 150 years of trading.
Fergies was started in 1868 by Scottish immigrant James Ferguson. His descendant, print veteran John Ferguson has been managing director of Fergies for 42 out of the 51 years he worked there, and was awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) last year for his service to the community and sailing.
Fergies declined to comment on the deal. Printcraft also declined to comment on futher details, but Matt Naughton, general manager, confirmed the transaction happened last Friday. Printcraft's managing director is David Gatsby.
Details of what will happen to the Fergies name, plant and staff are yet to be revealed. The move is the biggest print merger in the Sunshine State to date apart from the PMP IPMG plants, and continues the wave of consolidation that has been taking place in the industry over the past 18 months, in both printers and suppliers.
[Related: Avon Graphics buys Rotoflex Coatings]
Printcraft offers digital, offset and wide format printing along with mailing and logistics. It is based across Queensland and NSW, with its headquarters being based in Eagle Farm, eastern Brisbane and two additional sites in Townsville and Sydney.
Fergies, in its nearby Hamilton facility, claimed to be the largest family owned offset and digital printer in Queensland. Earlier this year the company signed a $1.85m contract extension with the Australian Electoral Commission, to supply printing packaging and storage of ballot papers. The original contract beginning in 2016 was extended to 2020.
The business was the first printer in Australia to implement a purpose built premises, to introduce waterless printing, achieve level 3 Sustainable Green Print accreditation, along with being the first sheet fed printer in Australia to install an environmentally sustainable ink pumping system.
Fergies also achieved many firsts in its state, including being the first company in Queensland to include an integrated mail house and also being the first and only Australia Post Bulk Mail Partner accredited business in the state with an offset print capability.
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