Vega Press and book printer McPherson's may come under one roof

Two of Melbourne's most established print houses could soon join forces with the plan for McPherson's Printing Group to consolidate its operation into Vega Press.

McPherson's is expected to vacate its Mulgrave plant and co-locate at Vega's nearby Notting Hill site – although an agreement has yet to be finalised, said Vega managing director Peter Gude.

"Nothing will happen until we've investigated it fully and all the parties are comfortable with making the move. At this stage there's no specific target date."

There is a lot of potential in partnering with "a very good… colour operation" such as Vega, said Cliff Brigstocke, group chief executive of Opus Group, which acquired McPherson's in a reverse takeover.

"Our two businesses are complementary – no customer overlap for example – and rather than duplicate two large operations, there is much benefit for our two businesses to co-locate," he said.

"At this stage, we are still working through the fine detail, however, I can say that both parties are very excited by the prospect of working together and, importantly, to be able to offer our customers an enhanced colour solution."

Brigstocke wouldn't reveal whether the two companies would share presses, staff, IT and back-office functions.

Gude told ProPrint that Vega may get rid of its three KBA Rapida 105 sheetfed presses in order to make room for two McPherson's presses, however he stressed that a final decision was still a long way off.

Gude added that Vega would probably turn to Heidelberg technology if the KBAs did go.

One of McPherson's presses is the high-spec 10-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 installed at the end of 2010.

McPherson's main book production site is in the regional Victorian town of Maryborough.