STAR BUSINESS: PRINT LOGISTICS

Print Logistics enhances book printing with hard case binding

Broadmeadows-based Print Logistics, an end-to-end printing and design service, is adding hard case binding to its stable of services with the recent appointment of Geoff Montgomery.

By Colleen Bate

The well-respected Victorian company which, since 1998, has been helping businesses such as Singapore Airlines, Pacific Brands, University of Melbourne, and Louis Vuitton with their digital, offset and large format printing, book printing, creative design, finishing and embellishment, direct mailing, print management system, warehouse and logistics needs, continues to evolve.

“Australia wide trade services with complete customer confidentiality agreement, professional service, exceptional craftsmanship and a true knowledge of all aspects of print media are at the core of what we provide to our clients, so It makes sense for us to expand our offerings,” says Turkish-born Nej Dumanli who owns the family run company, together with his wife Nikki and son Sinan.

Ramona Pascal, production supervisor, proudly displays a finished hard cased book

With the appointment of Montgomery, a specialist in hard case binding who has taken up the role of production manager, Print Logistics has invested in top-ofrange equipment to produce premium hard case binding products to suit the needs of the company's customers, and to attract new business.

“Since offering these services, we have produced a range of interesting book projects,” says Dumanli, pleased that he is able expand the company’s range of services, and that he and his staff are learning another skillset under the guidance of Montgomery.

Montgomery has had a long career in the industry – he started out as an apprentice in 1981, which he explains involved running folders, the perfect binder and guillotine. “I learnt about case binding then as we would prepare all the books to go interstate for finishing,” he says.

Nej Dumanli assembling a book before it is hard cased

After completing his apprenticeship Montgomery worked at Bradford Printing for seven years where he rose to the role of supervisor.

“From there I worked as the bindery manager for Impact Printing for 23 years, before moving on to The Bindery as production manager, where I worked for seven years,” he adds.

Montgomery says the process of hard case binding process is quite involved, explaining that it includes thread sewing (to join the sections of book), or PUR (polyurethane reactive glue) to create a book block, making the hard cover and finally putting the cover around the book block and casing it in.

“The hard cover can be pre-printed and/or embellished as needed and customers can select the thickness of the board required for the cover,” he adds.

(l-r) Geoff Montgomery with Ramona Pascal and Nej Dumanli

Print Logistics has clearly had a successful run over two decades of being in business, and Dumanli attributes much of this to the people involved, saying that, “No matter what industry you are in, it is all about people. My motto is people first, whether it’s staff, customers, family – if you don't look after your people and communicate effectively and respectfully, you don't have a business,” he says, emphasising that the company's staff is renowned to go above and beyond for its clients.

“My other motto is to constantly adapt to change and be flexible in all areas of life and business. Evolving our services to better the printing experience is what we do well,” he adds.

Print Logistics has produced a wide array of book projects since adding hard case binding to its range of services

Clearly these philosophies have served him, the company and its clients well and are set to continue to do so.

“We are very grateful to have Montgomery join our team, and to offer hard case binding services to new and existing clients,” he says. “Our future continues to look bright.”

WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY

You hit it out of the park yet again! Thank you for another outstanding project!

– John (Hawthorn, Victoria)

I contacted Geoff at Print Logistics with a small request – I wanted five copies of my book to be printed, in hardback, along with a dustcover which I had designed. Even though the company appeared to be geared up for much larger jobs, they didn’t bat an eyelid when my measly number of copies was mentioned. In fact, they showed me the same service levels and courtesy that a client with a much larger order could have expected. The quality of finish and the materials used has impressed all to whom I have showed my book. I will use them again for my next book.

- Philip (Canterbury, Victoria)