Melbourne based trade and creative printer Whirlwind has bought Sydney outfit Lindsay Yates, with Whirlwind owner Andrew Cester saying the acquisition is aimed to propel the business to be the leading printer for the country’s high end creative print space.
Lindsay Yates owners Paul Richardson and David Shoppe have been looking for a partner for the last year or two to take the business forward. They bought the business in 2004 from founder Ian Yates, who started it 40 years ago, and still works there.
Andrew Cester says, “We have been looking to invest in a Sydney printer for a couple of years to move into the creative market there, but it had to be the right fit. Lindsay Yates operates at the high end of print, it is committed to craftsmanship and quality, and is the major player in the Sydney creative agency space, which is exactly where we want to be, and where we are in Victoria.
“The Lindsay Yates expertise and experience is valuable, it is not something you can develop overnight but comes through years of work, and will be of real benefit to us. Our vision is to create the best print experience anyone on the creative industries can have, through innovation, craftsmanship and service. We want to own that high end creative space.”
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In the deal Lindsay Yates will effectively remain the same, seeking to serve the same high end market, with name staying, Shoppe and Richardson staying, and all 50 staff, and equipment staying. Whirlwind will print some of its trade work for Sydney and Brisbane customers on the Yates presses, which include a Heidelberg six-colour B1 and an HP Indigo B2 10000, however Lindsay Yates will not become a trade printer. The Sydney business will be receiving some finishing kit from Whirlwind, and will be able to use the company’s new MGI Jetvarnish digital embellishing system as required.
The two former Lindsay Yates owners plan on staying for at least four years, David Shoppe will now be operations manager for the new NSW business, while Paul Richardson becomes state manager with responsibility for sales.
Shoppe says, “We were looking for a solution, we had various options, and several offers. We wanted to do the right thing by our staff, and our customers. Whirlwind was the clear choice, it has the same values as us, and a clear direction to take the company forward, with some tremendous synergies and opportunities between the two companies. We will be able to access their HR and IT expertise for instance. It is a great outcome for Lyndsay Yates, I am more than excited about the future.”
Richardson says, “Both companies share the same philosophy, customer focus, and commitment to quality and innovation. It will be a marriage with a rock solid foundation.
“Consolidation is a necessary part of the industry, when I look back ten years ago we were doing say five jobs a day, today we have to do ten jobs to get the same result.”
The senior management team at Lyndsay Yates will now include Cester and his long time sales director Gis Marven.
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