Blue Star subsidiary battles on after Christchurch earthquake

Christchurch-based Spectrum Print expects to start churning through government work from parent Blue Star after relocating to new premises following last year's earthquake.

In early June, the printer will move to a new site 3km from the premises that were devastated by the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in February 2011 and 2km from its temporary premises.

Spectrum general manager Steve Francis told ProPrint his company would then take on work for Blue Star's government printing hub.

He said Spectrum would not be assigned agencies but work from job to job – and that it looked set to receive all the printing suitable for a multi-colour A3 press as it was the only company in the group with that machine.

Since the earthquake, about half of Spectrum's printing has been done by other Blue Star companies, added Francis.

He said most of the other 50% has gone to Christchurch printers such as PWA Griffin as it was important to show solidarity with local businesses.

"We have worked closely with a lot of Christchurch printers over the past 15 months and are very appreciative of them and our many loyal clients who have supported us over this time," he said.

Spectrum will be sharing its new premises with PWA Griffin after the two built up a good relationship, he said. They will also be sharing some equipment and staff.

Francis said Spectrum was down to 12 employees from a headcount of 53 people at the time of the earthquake.

Spectrum's damage bill from the earthquake is still being calculated. Francis said there was never any chance of returning to the former premises due to the amount of rebuilding that would have been needed.

There was liquefaction through the building and also considerable damage to the floor slabs, he said. The side of one press was raised 50mm above the other.

Francis told ProPrint the delay in finding a new site was due to uncertainties about insurance and zoning restrictions.

He said Spectrum's main press was a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 52 while its SM 102 remained offshore to be repaired.

Click here to read ProPrint's story on how Christchurch's printers fought back after the earthquake.