LEP Colour Printers (LEP), has announced that the company is joining forces with Qld Trade Print (QTP) to form Australia’s most dynamic and responsive trade print organisation.
 

LEP and QTP have until now been competitors in the Queensland and national print markets, but the integrated business will combine the resources and expertise of both organisations to offer a highly competitive and expansive range of trade print services to the Australian market.
 

The combined businesses will trade under the name LEP Colour Printers, and will be based at LEP Colour Printers’ headquarters in Forest Glen, Queensland. QTP’s equipment inventory and some staff will transfer to LEP’s headquarters.
 

Qld Trade Print is a family owned and operated company based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, and was established by Phil and Sandy Gallagher in 2007. Sandy Gallagher will focus her attention on another business venture while Phil, a printer by trade, will move to LEP’s Forest Glen site and take on the role of Operations Manager.
 

The two companies bring together a natural synergy of production and management expertise and equipment inventories to provide an extended range of services to the combined client list. LEP Colour Printers, strictly a trade-only printer, offers offset and digital print services from its Forest Glen and Melbourne sites, while QTP offers offset, wide-format, digital print, foiling and finishing services to both trade and retail print clients.
 

CEO of LEP Colour Printers, John Bromfield, said, “We are delighted that our two companies are joining forces to bring genuine manufacturing strength and broad expertise to Australian printers seeking a trade partner. Our combined operation will be able to provide unparalleled service to printers right around Australia, with a comprehensive range of print products and a commitment to unmatched print quality and fast turnaround.”
 

QTP Director, Phil Gallagher, said, “QTP’s integration into LEP is a logical step forward for the company. We had reached the point where we needed to overhaul our IT infrastructure and ordering website, and take steps to further streamline our business. After initial discussions it became apparent that LEP had plans to extend its range of products with wide-format and other specialty products, which we offer. So this is a win for both companies, and of course for all our customers.”
 

QTP’s equipment inventory includes a HP Latex wide-format printer, HP Indigo digital press, foiling, embossing and binding equipment. LEP will take advantage of that equipment in its Forest Glen and Port Melbourne facilities.
 

The transition into LEP Colour Printers has been smooth, with both business operations uninterrupted as QTP staff and equipment were transferred to LEP’s Glen Forest premises.
 

John Bromfield added, “The larger transition is the integration of QTP’s product range into ours, and switching QTP’s customers over to the My LEP fully integrated ordering and production system, by the end of the month. To streamline this changeover process we have set up our online chat site and circulated resources to QTP’s clients to help answer any queries and questions they may have.
 

“Last year we underwent a radical transformation when we launched our new My LEP ordering system and brand. We know how robust and intuitive the My LEP system is, so we don’t foresee any real issues for QTP’s clients. For them it will simply be about changing habits,” he said.
 

The Gallaghers established QTP as a trade printer, but diversified recently to offer services to retail clients. According to John Bromfield, LEP Colour Printers is firmly committed to operating as a trade-only printer, so LEP will assist QTP’s retail clients to establish a partnership with a print supplier that will suit their needs.
 

“LEP remains a 100 per cent trade-only supplier,” Mr Bromfield said. “But with the addition of QTP’s expert staff, Phil Gallagher’s industry knowledge in the role of Operations Manager and QTP’s equipment inventory, we’re looking forward to creating a new paradigm in customer service for the combined client list.”
 

Phil Gallagher added, “This consolidation brings together two outstanding print companies that, as a single entity, can establish new levels in performance, service and customer satisfaction. We’re looking forward to working together to achieve our common goals.”