The latest online print operation to try and build a business in Australia is Zenprint, which says it will be able to give customers a 20 per cent saving on their print. Its managing director, however, also says most companies will not hesitate to spend a bit more on premium products.
Unafraid to ruffle a few feathers, Zenprint says current online print providers in Australia "tend to have a limited focus on innovation and the development of convenient ordering processes, often leaving customers with a cumbersome experience.
"From a B2B perspective especially, the Australian print market is characterised by a lack of transparency and competitiveness," it said.
Zenprint - owned by Bangkok-based Gogoprint - is aiming to build a network of local print partners to manufacture its print. It says it has also started to hire for various roles in sales, customer service, management and product development. Its headquarters are in Melbourne. Hubertus Hellenthal is the Australia country manager, and has been with the company for two years, working as assistant to the CEO in Bangkok.
Gogoprint is the largest online printing business in the Asia-Pacific. Since its launch in 2015, Gogoprint has set up operations in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia and worked with 45,000 customers, printing and shipping well over 250 million products. It looks to launch in New Zealand and Hong Kong in the second quarter of 2019 as part of its ongoing regional expansion.
Zenprint says its strategy for Australia is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to be "fully transparent on pricing and delivery dates". On the other hand, Zenprint will significantly invest in the development of a strong portfolio of promotional products, such as customisable pens, mugs and keychains, on its website. It says, "The objective is to become a one-stop shop for SME printing needs. Through these initiatives, it hopes to build a strong network of printing partners and customers to increase convenience, speed, reliability and affordability in the market."
David Berghaeuser, co-founder and managing director of Gogoprint said, “Given its developed and sizeable economy, its growing e-commerce industry, and the role that print marketing strategies play in the marketing mix, we expect Australia to become one of our largest markets. Most companies want the best for their printing, and will not hesitate to spend a bit more on premium products.
“The market is characterised by advanced product requirements and needs. With our group’s strong focus on innovation, customer care and quality, we are confident to become a household name for Australian SMEs," he said.