A flying visit by the top man at the German solutions provider reaffirms the company‘s commitment to the local market and its new managing director, Carsten Wendler. Following a year of reorganisation and considerable downsizing, which saw the departure of former managing director, Markus Hafeli, Pintsch’s visit is intended to herald the beginning of a new chapter for the local company.
He said the decision to resize the Australian and NZ business was never a question of lack of sales or support from the customers but simply a result of a cost base that had grown too expensive. "We wanted to restructure, we want to get back to our core business," he said. "We want to stay in Australia. We believe in Australia because it is a good market and we have the right products and the right expertise," he said.
He made the point that the local reorganisation reflected a similar move at the company’s HQ in Essen, Germany. Australia is regarded by the Ferrostaal group as a very important market for the Intergrafica Print & Pack business that represents the graphic arts machinery suppliers in 25 countries. Dr Pintsch is managing director not only of IPP but also of the equipment company, Ferrostaal Equipment Solutions.
He maintains that IPP it is the only truly independent global graphic arts equipment and consumables supplier. This gives it a position of considerable strength that attracts the best of brands looking for high-quality representation on a global basis. It is set to grow in the years ahead.
As equipment and technology manufacturing companies adjust to the new reality of the printing and packaging industry and the costs associated with maintaining standalone offices and showrooms, Pintsch expects more major brands will look to be represented by Ferrostaal and IPP. “I’m convinced that all these companies with their own network will have to look for a partner because they can't pay for their worldwide network. I’m convinced that one of them will be knocking on our door. Maybe not next year but soon,” he predicts.
In Australia and New Zealand, Ferrostaal is mostly focused on the printing and packaging industries representing some of the most iconic brands including Komori, Bobst, MBO and Morgana. Under the new regime of industry veteran, Carsten Wendler, the line-up of products is likely to be culled rather than expanded over the next few months. He is concerned with delivering a superior level of service that can only be achieved with a certain critical mass of sales. “It is important that we are able to deliver a high standard of backup and service, “ he said.
He declared the company is now at the right size to be profitable next year, even without any further growth, following the realignment of recent times. He predicts a new period of stability and customer-focus from Ferrostaal Australia. Well-known industry identity, Rayne Simpson, general manager, is responsible for most of the printing equipment side of the operation in Australia.