Edwards, who replaced former boss Grant Vernon last year, revealed the strategy in an exclusive interview for the June issue of ProPrint, due out this week.

The franchise group already operates around 150 centres across Australia, as well as operations in New Zealand, Ireland and China.

While Edwards conceded that his plan sounds bullish in the current market, he said Snap had the right model for expansion, pointing to electronic content, marketing services and its clout with business-to-business customers.

“We view ourselves in a broader industry than just print. We want to be a service provider to SMEs and above. We want to provide print – digital and offset – as well as design and brand identity. We also have been playing with e-products for some time – websites, emails and e-publications.”

Electronic platforms currently generate around 5% of the group’s turnover, but Edwards hopes to move that figure closer to 30%

Edwards said Snap’s business model was stronger than those print franchises focusing on walk-in sales from small businesses and “the man on the street”.

“You only have to look at the metrics of retail. Retail is down. Micro SMEs are just not spending. A lot of quick-printers are set up to support those kinds of clients.

“We have moved up the food chain. We made a conscious decision five or six years ago to do that. It has been a good decision,” said Edwards.

This will help Snap’s push into the UK and US, he said. “We have expansion plans for both markets.”

He revealed that Snap will make a play in the UK via a joint venture with an existing licencee that country.

Click here to read our interview with Stephen Edwards.

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