On Demand powers up with takeover of DPA

With a turnover of over $25 million, Bruce Peddlesden makes his company into the largest, solely digital, commercial printer in Australia.

The purchase sees the long-term directors of DPA (Digital Printing Australia) Claude Lucchesi and Kirk Peterson exit the 24-year old iconic business. The 35 staff that remain will transfer to On Demand, boosting the total complement to 110.

The expanded business will produce over 25 million mono and 2 million colour sheets per month, allowing Peddlesden (pictured) to claim his On Demand company as the largest digital printer in the country. The intention is to transfer the business and the equipment to a new site adjoining the current On Demand building in Port Melbourne.

He maintains the increased volume of printing will open up opportunities to develop synergies between the different operations as well as rationalise the range of equipment between the two businesses. DPA is recognised as a Fuji Xerox house operating at least one iGen4, while On Demand runs HP Indigo as well as Océ engines.

On Demand has developed its reputation as a leading marketing services provider (MSP) incorporating such offerings as social media development and IT support in addition to digital printing. In recent times it also expanded into wide format poster production with the purchase from Pemara of the Dandenong-based, On Demand Graphics.

“We intend to offer the full range of On Demand services and products to DPA customers. This will include cross media campaigns, personalisation and variable data as well as wide-format printing,” he said.

He nominated the well-established client list and vigorous fulfilment business as jewels in the crown of DPA. For the time being DPA will operate as a division of On Demand.

According to Peddlesden, there is plenty of upside in the deal, although he won’t reveal financials. He is determined to continue the expansion and transformation of On Demand into one of the industry’s foremost providers.

“ I think we can add value to the business and grow it. I run a tight and lean business with a good focus on managing costs and margins,” said Peddlesden. “I have good management team across all areas. DPA is a big bite but it’s a good strategic fit for us. We’ll have it bedded."