International Football comp will use Australian print

The Football Federation Australia (FFA) says it will source the printing needs of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 from Australian companies.

The undertaking was received following criticism by Printing Industries earlier this year when it was revealed that production of the ‘bid book’ for Australia’s failed 2022 FIFA World Cup bid was produced in Germany.

The books, bound in kangaroo leather and embossed with an indigenous football pattern, were printed in Germany as part of a project reportedly costing more than $5.2 million.
Printing Industries sought assurance from the FFA that all future bids for major football tournaments would fully involve local industry.
Printing Industries National Manager for Policy and Government Affairs, Hagop Tchamkertenian, said this assurance had now been received from the Chief Executive Officer of the FFA, Ben Buckley.
“Mr Buckley has given us his assurance that the FFA will use local printing and associated industries for future events,” he said.

“This includes all of FFA’s printed stock, tickets, accreditations and invitations.
“All materials produced for the AFC Asian Cup 2015 bid including the bid book, were produced by Australian companies and all materials around the event itself will also be produced by Australian companies.”

Mr Tchamkertenian said this is a good result for the local industry and recognition of the quality of Australian expertise.

“Mr Buckley did point out that a large number of Australian consultancies were engaged in the production of the FIFA World Cup bid covering content, design and some production aspects and emphasised that the multi million budget covered a wide range of activities and projects beyond the bid book.

“However the German consultancy that oversaw the final completion and print production had been engaged on the basis of its experience in preparing three other bid books for preceding FIFA events – all of which had been awarded the hosting rights for which they were bidding.”
Printing Industries will continue to liaise with the FFA to ensure local industry opportunities are maximised.