JDA Print Recruitment, Australia’s specialist recruiters dedicated exclusively to printing, packaging and signage, is celebrating 30 years of service to the industry, connecting the right skilled professionals with the right industry jobs.
Over the years, the JDA brand has become a trusted recruitment partner for organisations looking to secure top professionals, and to date, has successfully placed over 3000 candidates in positions around the country, according to company owner, James Cryer.
From production jobs including printing press operators, print finishers, pre-press technicians and print production managers, to the manufacturing support roles including customer service, estimating and planning, through to logistics, JDA prides itself, Cryer says, in knowing the skills, qualifications, and experience required for success in all these roles across the print value chain.
The JDA team is led by industry veterans who have a deep understanding of the regional market dynamics and the specific skills required for various roles within the print industry. JDA's expertise spans all areas of print, packaging, and signage – from technical roles to senior management positions.
The company is headed by Cryer, whose deep roots in the printing industry trace back to the 1880s, when his great-grandfather, Walter James Cryer, began as an apprentice in Liverpool, UK, and soon after, emigrated to Sydney where he established a small printery in 1903.
During his three decades in operation at JDA, Cryer has seen dramatic changes take place in the print industry, most notably its transition away from its craft-based origins to a more high-tech one.
“When I kicked-off in the mid-1990s, 80 per cent of our placements were offset printers running Speedmasters and Komoris, as well as bindery tradespeople who could operate Muller-Martinis, Stahl folders and Polar guillotines,” Cryer explained.
“Fast-forward to today, and the vast majority of our placements are in signage, such as wide-format operators and installers, as well as in packaging, notably in labels, cartons and flexibles.”
Fortunately, although the impact of digitalisation, the drift away from manufacturing, and cheap overseas print becoming a more popular option is supposedly bringing about the “demise of print”, Cryer believes this is not the case.
“Sadly, because of this, there is a perception among the younger generation that it's not a career choice for them. But, as we all know, nothing could be further from the truth,” Cryer stressed.
“We at JDA can't keep up with the demand for staff – not so much for offset printers, but in almost all other areas, such as digital operators and finishers, signage installers and CSRs for the likes of Snap, Signarama and Kwik Kopy, who all do an excellent job in training staff.
“We've also seen the growth in trade-only printers, as well as the emergence of specialist areas such as displays, POS and even promotional products – all signs of a thriving and evolving industry.”
Cryer says the company's recruitment successes extend into the managerial side of operations, having placed numerous middle and senior managers in operations, general management, account director, and production roles. Demand for its services come from afield, with JDA recently placing a senior manager for a large overseas print group.
Cryer is justifiably proud to mark three decades in the business. “Never in my great-grandfather’s wildest dreams would he have imagined that some time in the distant future, a descendant of his would also spend a lifetime in the same industry – and hopefully make a small impression upon it,” Cryer concluded.
JDA has offices in both Sydney and Melbourne, with Chris Gander playing a pivotal role in establishing the Victorian branch. Today, the Melbourne team is run by David Galbraith.