Adelaide printer Cruickshank has merged with pioneering competitor Printak - home of the world's first 100% solar-powered printing machines - and moved into Printak's CBD warehouse, combining the businesses into a new entity called Created 2 Print.
Printak MD David Bland and his wife and co-director Val decided several months ago to retire and put their award-winning 30-year old business up for sale.
Peter Anargyros, owner of Cruickshank Rapid Print and Design - located two city blocks away on Gouger Street and sharing the same market and several clients - stepped in and signed a deal to combine the two businesses into a new company, which was officially launched on Thursday night.
Anargyros is majority owner and managing director of Created 2 Print and the Blands maintain a financial involvement in the new company. Bland's daughter Katherine Elliott stays on as graphic designer and communications officer.
"I saw it as an opportunity to merge two strong print houses with a view to making things more cost effective and expanding on a loyal customer base," said Anargyros.
Cruickshank, established in 1919, grew rapidly in recent years after being acquired by Anargyros in 2010, with the amalgamation of Rapid Doc (a digital printer), KB Print (an established offset printer) and a small business card printer called Business Cards for You.
Cruickshank moved most of its equipment into the 1100 sq. metre former Printak office/warehouse space on Sturt St and sold off some of its older machines.
All staff from the Cruickshank and Printak businesses have been retained. Total staff numbers have been boosted to about 25 - with the hiring of two former employees of collapsed Adelaide printer Five Star - allowing the new company to run two shifts.
Anargyros says Created 2 Print will offer full offset, digital, finishing, design, pre-press and other specialised print services and will expand Printak's focus on the environmental side of the business.
"The Blands had a very good market differentiator with their 100% solar-power print room and it dovetails well with our focus on recycling, sustainability and being very aware of our carbon footprint. We want to pursue that strategy and see it as a way of distinguishing ourselves in the market. It's an exciting time."
The new company will also be looking at improving workflow and expanding e-publishing and online ordering services.
“We will continue to automate processes to ensure more efficient time-frames in line with customer requirements,” said Anargyros. "We'll be pursuing new opportunities in e-publishing and looking to engage with customers right at the beginning of the process, from sourcing content and creating a concept and all the way through so we become more of a one-stop shop. We'll also be upgrading our online ordering systems because that's the way of the future."
