In a major consolidation move, leading trade printer LEP Colour Printers has acquired competitor QLD Trade Print to create “the most dynamic trade print organisation in Australia.” The expanded LEP will remain strictly a trade-only printer and will help QTP’s existing retail clients to find new print suppliers.
The combined businesses will trade under the name LEP Colour Printers, and will be based at LEP headquarters in Forest Glen, Queensland. QTP’s equipment inventory and some staff will transfer to LEP’s headquarters.
“We are delighted that our two companies are joining forces to bring genuine manufacturing strength and broad expertise to Australian printers seeking a trade partner,” says John Bromfield, CEO of LEP Colour Printers. “Our combined operation will be able to provide unparalleled service to printers right around Australia, with a comprehensive range of print products and a commitment to unmatched print quality and fast turnaround.”
QTP Director, Phil Gallagher, says, “QTP’s integration into LEP is a logical step forward for the company. We had reached the point where we needed to overhaul our IT infrastructure and ordering website, and take steps to further streamline our business. After initial discussions, it became apparent that LEP had plans to extend its range of products with wide-format and other specialty products, which we offer. So, this is a win for both companies, and of course for all our customers.”
LEP and QTP have until now been competitors in the Queensland and national print markets. The integrated business will bring together trade print expertise in offset and digital printing, wide-format printing and print finishing.
QLD Trade Print is a family owned and operated company based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and was established by Phil and Sandy Gallagher in 2007. Sandy Gallagher will now focus her attention on another business venture while Phil, a printer by trade, will move to LEP’s Forest Glen site and take on the role of Operations Manager.
LEP Colour Printers, strictly a trade-only printer, offers offset and digital print services from its Forest Glen and Melbourne sites, while QTP offered offset, wide-format, digital print, foiling and finishing services to both trade and retail print clients.
According to Bromfield, LEP Colour Printers is firmly committed to operating as a trade-only printer, so LEP will assist QTP’s retail clients to establish a partnership with a print supplier that will suit their needs.
“LEP remains a 100 per cent trade-only supplier,” says Bromfield. “But with the addition of QTP’s expert staff, Phil Gallagher’s industry knowledge in the role of Operations Manager and QTP’s equipment inventory, we’re looking forward to creating a new paradigm in customer service for the combined client list.”
QTP’s equipment inventory includes a HP Latex wide-format printer, HP Indigo digital press, foiling, embossing and binding equipment. LEP will take advantage of that equipment in its Forest Glen and Port Melbourne facilities.
The transition into LEP Colour Printers has been smooth, according to the two companies, with both operations uninterrupted as QTP staff and equipment were transferred to LEP’s Glen Forest premises.
“The larger transition is the integration of QTP’s product range into ours, and switching QTP’s customers over to the My LEP fully integrated ordering and production system, by the end of the month,” says Bromfield. “To streamline this changeover process we have set up our online chat site and circulated resources to QTP’s clients to help answer any queries and questions they may have.”
LEP Colour Printers offers a comprehensive range of prepress, offset and digital print, bindery and associated services.