Finishing sector consolidates with Laminating Company takeover

Varnishing and Laminating Services has been a respected provider of laminating, UV varnishing and specialty coatings for over 34 years. Barry Webster, co director of The Laminating Company, says the takeover will more than double the capacity of his business and he expects the development to send ripples through the print finishing trade in NSW.

“We intend to offer even more services once this business is bedded in,” says Webster. “Our current clients are continually asking us when we are going to offer this and that, and now with the new additional capacity we have in NSW we can confidently look to expanding into other areas with the same Laminating Company vigour and quality”.

The decision to purchase Varnishing and Laminating Services was partly inspired by the synergies the two companies share, with similar equipment and experienced staff in all areas of each business. David Rogers, co director of The Laminating Company, says the buyout will offer benefits to clients of both companies in terms of speed of delivery and new services to be offered.

“By having the two plants offering more in-house services this will dramatically reduce the turn around times, as well as the courier costs stemming from moving work to a different supplier while other finishes,” says Rogers. “The purchase confirms our commitment to the NSW market.”

Varnishing and Laminating Services began trading in 1972, a venture of director Adrian Garrett, who has implemented many changes and quality procedures throughout the business since that time including purchasing some of the latest laminating and varnishing equipment available. Garrett says he is confident in his decision to hand over the reigns.

“The directors of The Laminating Company seem to be really switched on in their business and have great plans for the future of the two companies. I feel that although I will no longer be involved with the business, they impressed me with their vigour and understanding of the industry,” says Garrett.

“It is with my complete blessing that this sale has taken place, and I do hope and expect that loyal Varnishing and Laminating Services clients will also stick with the new team to help take it to the next level.”

The Laminating Company was started in Port Melbourne, Victoria in 1997 by current directors Barry Webster and David Rogers. It has grown to be amongst the largest print finishing businesses in Australia, with two plants in Victoria and following the acquisition of Varnishing and Laminating Services they now have two plants in NSW.

The product range of the company has diversified from film laminating and UV varnishing into gold foil stamping, forme cutting and a host of specialty coatings both in film and varnishes for the commercial print market and specialty packaging markets.