Chinese gravure entry spooks industry
The move to locate in Australia has prompted some questions as to the impact a new plant will have on the small local gravure market. The proposed development will come under close scrutiny next week when the company pitches for government assistance.
The Printing Industries Association of Australia (Printing Industries) will lead a delegation of industry companies at a special briefing in Sydney hosted by the NSW Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD) on 19 October.
Officials from China's Dongguan Yuncheng Plate-Making Co. Ltd will attend the briefing to outline their intentions. The company has approached the NSW Government for assistance with the project, including establishment of a representative office, before it considers the gravure plant development.
According to Joe Kowalewski, Printing Industries National Director, Marketing and Media Services, it is very important that the long-term intentions of Dongguan are known before government makes any decisions on assistance. He said several association members had expressed surprise at the nature of the project given the existing lower cost manufacturing base in China.
"The Australian gravure cylinder market doesn't really seem to be the kind of market that would attract major international investment in plant and machinery. I suspect this meeting will be something an exploratory meeting - for all concerned.
"Our goal is always to ensure that our members are exposed to opportunities and are fully aware of such proposals," he said.
In China Dongguan employs about 4,000 people producing up to 20,000 cylinders a month for Chinese and Asian markets. Its product range includes cylinders for: plastic printing; food / cigarette / beer wrap and carton printing; wall calendars, transferred calico printing; high-accuracy anilox printing; and ultra-precise fraud-proof printing.
Companies interested in more information on the meeting should contact Joe Kowalewski joe@printnet.com.au or call Printing Industries on (02) 8789 7300.
