Sydney printers Focus Press and Superfine join forces with new company

Superfine Printing Co is taking a new course as it aligns with fellow Sydney printer Focus Press, with directors of the two companies at the helm of a new venture.

Superfine managing director Ken Mapledoram told ProPrint: "Superfine Printing and Focus Press will remain as separate identities but they will each share from the collaboration that this joint venture, 'Superfine In Focus', will offer."

Focus Press managing director David Fuller (pictured) also stressed he had not taken over Superfine Printing Co.

A shelf company owned by Fuller was renamed 'Superfine In Focus' on 14 April. The directors were not clear about what this business would do or whether it would have any staff or assets. 

Directors of both companies touted the ability to share machinery as one of the key benefits of the deal. Superfine's plant list includes a 40-inch Heidelberg 10-colour perfector.

Fuller will act as director of Superfine In Focus while Superfine Printing Co's chief executive, Ken Mapledoram, will become chief executive of the joint venture.

Fuller described it as "an innovative approach to industry consolidation".

"Our model is more realistic than shoving more than one company together under one roof and expecting to retain key customers and staff without the owner's involvement, which is seen with the private equity model," he said.

The announcement comes after industry sources alleged to ProPrint that Superfine Printing Co had hit hard times.

Mapledoram responded by saying that rather than downsizing operations, investment was on the cards.

"We will be embarking on a serious capital expenditure program involving upgrades, if not replacement, to most equipment throughout all departments.

"This will add to a leaner operation with improved workflows, which are all beneficial to our clients."

According to the Focus Press website, it employs more than 100 staff across two Sydney locations while Superfine has been running for 50 years and is located in the Sydney suburb of Arncliffe.