Letters, feedback, get it off your chest 31 March 2010
Readers react to Pettaras Press while others show their sympathies for the passing of Jorden Lund.
Re: Carnage continues across local print industry
It’s a shame to see yet another respected company finds it can no longer continue to compete in an ever-changing market place. It appears that Pettaras has had the courage to plan for expected growth, relocated to give the company a more efficient footprint and has a strong reputation for producing quality work. If you put all this together it's hard to believe that the administrators have moved in.
All companies need to adapt to the ever-changing market place, we all need to look at new products, more efficient ways to produce traditional products, more flexible funding options and most importantly, find an edge in the market.
It is obvious that competitive pricing, up-to-date equipment and producing quality work are no longer enough to guarantee longevity in our ever-changing environment. My thoughts go out to all people involved at Pettaras and we wish them well in what ever they do.
Darren Walsh
Just in reply to the support of Steve Pettaras – I am saddened at another loss but look at it in a different light. How responsible is it to: purchase a new Komori 10-colour, pay a deposit on a new gluer, build a new 11,000 square metre factory, have a new Roland 800 on the floor ready to commission and not have the work flow, or cash flow to support this new debt level.
This is a really good pulse check for printers that think debt is good when the market, particularly their own is shrinking because of the GFC. All printers should take note and have a look at their staff levels and sales. There are more companies about to go to the wall and the industry should be better regulated to stop this silly fail rate. It is all nice to have a nice new press, cutter or gluer – but can you afford to pay the monthly lease? This industry has become an ego ballpark – watch ‘em fall.
Gunther Norman
There is an old saying "what goes around comes around" and unfortunately people in this industry have long memories, so don't hold your breath waiting for the cavalry to come to Steve Pettaras' aid.
But despite what you think of Steve Pettaras, this is another example of a business driving overhead into a company whilst attempting to stand on a technological platform and saying "how good am I". Oh yeah! he may have been successful, I guess successful in increasing recovery rates in a vain attempt to meet finance commitments. The end game: customers want their investment on time, in full, to industry standards. They don't need non-value add-ons such as gold medals. Don't blame others for smart business.
Name withheld
After 48 years in the printing industry I retired in November 2008. Whilst I admire Michael's effort in trying to rally the troops to stop the rot in the industry in regard to prices/margins and profits, I fear it is far too late for this.
I saw this coming five to seven years ago; unfortunately greed was the order of the day, most businesses were only interested in themselves making money.
I fear that many more businesses will fold; the cake gets smaller every year, which means a smaller slice for everyone, except China, which is where the bulk of the larger print jobs go these days.
Derek Clayton
Re: Jorgen Lund - Heidelberg and EAC Graphics - passes away
As an employee of EACgraphics, working with Jorgen Lund was a positive and enriching stage of my sales career.
We found Jorgen to be a very fair and fun person to involve in opportunities with customers. He was well respected and displayed all the traits of a great leader.
RIP.
Anthony Jackson
A good guy of the industry and it was a pleasure to have known him for a short while in 2002-2004. He was almost an honorary Australian citizen!
Always one for a great laugh and a game of golf and a fine glass of red – I am sad he did not get to enjoy his retirement after his time in the industry.
Peter Barnet