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Northern Territory printer, Colemans Printing, is celebrating 56 years in business. ProPrint spoke to CEO Tony Coleman at drupa 2008 about the continued success of his family.
“It also gives our customers confidence that we are investing in the latest gear to ensure the quality and timeliness of the service we offer them.” Having trained as a printer in the family business on Heidelberg presses, Tony was impressed with the company’s massive presence at drupa 2008. “We’ve been a Heidelberg house for years and are obvious advocates for their equipment. But at drupa 2008 I was once again amazed at the technology and leadership that Heidelberg sets within the international printing industry.” Colemans operates several Heidelberg presses across its two sites in Darwin and Alice Springs. Its press power is spearheaded by the Speedmaster CD102-5 five-colour press. It also operates a Speedmaster 52-4 colour and in Alice Springs a brand new Printmaster 52-4 colour. Its finishing department, which features Polar and Stahl equipment, will be further enhanced by the newest addition, a Stahl Ti82 folder purchased at drupa 2008 during Tony’s visit. “To be a successful printer in the Territory you have to be prepared to offer a wide range of services and to employ the best equipment to ensure productivity.” Colemans produces a range of products including publications, stationery, promotional material, direct marketing, mailing and distribution, specialty and digital print. “The biggest positive with Heidelberg is the reliability of the equipment. We have always been assured of good quality and good service, so that’s why we have kept coming back to them.” Colemans’ most recent installation is the Heidelberg Suprasetter A52 CtP solution with Prinect Suite. “The installation of the CtP solution has dramatically impacted the prepress process. Not only has it realised enormous time savings, but it has also delivered environmental benefits. As a result we no longer use water or chemicals.” Tony says that since the CtP installation the company has implemented a number of other initiatives to improve its environmental rating. “In the past 12 months we have become the Territory’s number one clean waste paper recycler, literally halving our landfill waste. We are proud of what we’ve done, but we have big plans for the future in this area. I want Colemans to be a leader in environmental responsibility. “At drupa I was particularly interested in the increasing range of eco-solutions on offer — just about every supplier had some kind of eco-product, which demonstrates the entire industry is responding to the challenge.” Colemans Printing sits on the original site in Darwin where in 1952 Tony’s grandfather, John “Colie” Coleman, started the print business underneath the family home. In 1974 the business was destroyed by Cyclone Tracy, but out of the ruins came a new factory equipped with the latest technology of the time. In 1988 that factory was demolished, this time by fire, and the current facility took its place. In 1987 Colemans opened in Alice Springs and this year to celebrate its 21st year in operation, the business moved into custom built premises. Across both sites Colemans employs 55. Tony says more than half his staff have been with him for a decade and there are a number that have clocked up 20 years. “That’s one of the benefits of working in the Territory. You don’t have a high rate of staff turnover and are able to invest in your people.” As for the future, Tony says the company’s tagline says it all. “As long as there’s ink on paper, Colemans will be part of Darwin — and the Northern Territory.” *Article sourced from ProPrint Issue July 2008 |
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