Pettaras bows out of Digitalpress
Industry identity Theo Pettaras has said goodbye to his innovative print business Digitalpress, having completed the handover period following the sale of the business to Bridgestone Holdings.
Pattaras is now working as an associate of business broking network Global Transworld Group, operating out of the Transworld North Sydney office, where he joins former Snap CEO Stephen Edwards.
Pettaras built a reputation as an industry pioneer, with Digitalpress bringing a stellar range of new solutions to the growing client list, which was mainly drawn from the agency and designer world.
A 30 year print veteran, Pettaras established Digitalpress 15 years ago, starting out as a boutique retail print shop, and becoming a nationally recognised multi-award winning commercial print business, which always sought to offer more to its customers.
Pettaras himself is well known in the industry, partly through his award-winning print, and partly through his ongoing charity work with initiatives such as celebrity cookbook Dish, and pub rock concerts for various causes.
He is currently honorary secretary of the Print & Visual Communication Association, a position he will retain. He is also known for being open about his own life story.
Pattaras said: “During my time in the industry, I have achieved many accolades, awards and built many friendships. I have been blessed to have worked with equally passionate and loyal team members whom I consider family.
“I take this opportunity to thank all my valued clients, business associates, supply partners, team members, fellow industry comrades, friends, and family for all the support, loyalty, and friendship. I sincerely wish the new owners Bridgestone Holdings every success with Digitalpress. May their vision continue to drive Digitalpress and the broader group as an enviable industry-leading organisation.
“I will remain as the national secretary of the Print & Visual Communication Association and continue my commitments with helping the industry.
“Having been around business all my life I am excited to join Transworld North Sydney, and the broader Global Transworld Group who are the largest business broking network in the world.”
The change in ownership sees Digitalpress access the Bridgestone facilities in North Sydney as a creative hub and sales centre. Digitalpress has also now entered the wide format market, with a new Fujifilm printer and Kongsberg cutter.
It has also installed an HP Indigo 7r digital colour press to its firepower, supplied by Currie Group.
Bridgestone Investments is a private equity fund focused on the marketing communications sector in Australian and Malaysia and is currently expanding into Thailand and Indonesia. It has bought Digitalpress through its National Print Express subsidiary.
In Australia, Bridgestone owns Horizon Print Management, a 20-year-old print broker. Its Indigo Print and Copiworld businesses have now been renamed as Digitalpress North Sydney . Bridgestone's CEO is Jahangir Khan, a Law graduate of Western Sydney Uni.