Sydney based printer Western Graphics is closing, with owner Ken Buckland citing declining industry and price cutting as the reasons for the closure of his business.

Buckland established the business in 1979, working during the manifold the changes in the industry over the decades. The company mostly produced upmarket four colour brochure work and presentation folders.

The last job is slated to go out on Thursday. Buckland says 80 per cent of the machinery has already been sold off. He hopes to sell the factory and retire by next year. He owns the building and a couple of other units.

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Buckland says, “There is no money to be made off print anymore. There is less and less work, printers fight over it by cutting prices and no-one is winning. The print industry is declining. There is just no fun in it anymore. The companies are struggling now, not earning enough money to put towards new machines.

“All of the printers that were around years ago, there are none left. There are only medium and big companies now.”

On the closure he says, “It is a sign of the times. Not only is print in decline but it also affects suppliers, engineers and paper companies. A lot of printing work is being shipped overseas which has a knock on effect.”

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