The inimitable Currie mobile showroom fills up its tanks as it enters the third leg of its epic technology road trip. After Albury's turn-out marked a great start to the tour, the truck pulled up to the heart of Bendigo for another busy couple of days catching up with customers and getting hands-on with the latest equipment.
The iconic Currie 'tour bus' popped its expander and opened the doors to greet the Bendigo crowds, rubbing shoulders to get one-on-one with some of the new kit on show. The day saw a steady stream of local printers and business owners through showroom, eying stand-outs like the Horizon BQ-280PUR and an HP Indigo 3550. Among them was Steve Bright, founder and director of Bendigo's own bARt n' PRINt.
"I think it's great they acknowledge us in the regional areas. The first we heard of it was when they sent out an invitation saying the the truck was coming to Bendigo. It was a lovely surprise. It's jam-packed with technology, stuff you don't normally get to see," said Bright.
A printer for life, Bright set up bART n' PRINt in his back shed in 1977 with a Heidelberg platen and a GTO 52 and has grown the business steadily since then. He now employs a team of 15 and runs a strong line-up of Horizon finishing. A Currie customer for many years now Bright was impressed by the range gear on display and praised the team's dedication to go that extra mile.
Bright adds, "With times as they are everyone's getting down and working a little bit harder, and bringing the truck out on the road the Currie guys are doing just that. It was really interesting to see the managing director [Bernie Robinson] out here with them. That's a big thing, for him to take the time to come out here himself. He actually swung by our place this morning too, just to catch up with us and see how we were doing. I'm still a firm believer in the face to face, you really can't beat it."
Bernie Robinson, managing director, Currie Group agrees that the personal touch makes all the difference, and takes a great satisfaction in manning the iconic Currie truck himself.
"I'd say interest has been pretty evenly spread. Everyone who's come through has been interested in all the products we have on the truck, and hopefully they've found something new. That's the whole point of the tour, that's why we're out here, to get out there with the customers and show them what's new," said Robinson.
With Albury and Bendigo done and dusted, the Currie Roadshow now heads into its third leg. The truck is restocked, fueled and bound for Adelaide before hitting the dusty track across Nallarbor crossing the finish line in Perth on April 29.
On April 1 and 2 Adelaidians can meet the tour at West Adelaide Football Club, 57 Milner Road, Richmond, SA, where they'll be treated to an HP Indigo 3550, Horizon Creaser / Folder CRF - 362, Horizon Folder AFC - 564A, Horizon Perfect Binder BQ - 280PUR, Horizon Finishing Line SPF - 200L / FC - 200L / VAC - 1000A, Horizon Table Top Folder PF - 40 and a CRON Thermal CTP System.
