Böttcher & Brissett: From Good, to Great
Leading Names Combine Forces in Australia
Two leading industry names, Böttcher Australia and Brissett Rollers, have today announced the merger of their two operations in Australia and New Zealand, creating a strong new force in the Australasian print market.
Mitch Mulligan, Managing Director of Böttcher Australia, and Terry Brissett, Managing Director of Brissett Rollers, announced today that the local arm of the global Böttcher Group will acquire the plant, goodwill and equipment of the local family-owned business and integrate the two operations under the one roof before the end of the year.
The acquisition, like so many before it, has been driven mainly by market consolidation and contraction. By combining their resources, the two men say local customers can continue to enjoy the best from both companies, with a seamless transition and continuity of supply.
While any investment in Australian manufacturing is positive, this move is particularly good news for the companies’ customers, as it brings together Böttcher’s market leading products and expertise and Brissett’s unmatched local manufacturing and market knowledge.
“We genuinely believe this is a ‘win-win’ for the industry, securing the future of a trusted local roller manufacturing business and offering our customers an expanded value proposition – the improved lead times, flexibility and continuity of supply which local manufacture ensures, combined with the competitive edge that Böttcher’s world leading technology, compounds and processes provide,” Mulligan says.
Indeed, the combined credentials of the two companies are impressive. Böttcher is a 293-year-old family-owned business which is renowned globally for its quality printing rollers, blankets and pressroom chemistry. Brissett is the largest manufacturer of printing rollers in Australasia, having served the market here with distinction for 60 years.
“While our backgrounds differ, we share much in common and have been ‘friendly competitors’ for years,” says Brissett. “Both Böttcher and Brissett are family owned companies who believe strongly in partnering with our customers and building relationships on the basis of quality products, reliable service, honesty and loyalty.
“We’ve both successfully navigated enormous change, from hot metal days to the high-speed, digitally-controlled and highly automated offset operations we see today, so we understand that the ability to evolve is vital in such a rapidly changing industry. Our merger with Böttcher is just the latest step in that process for us.”
Mulligan agrees, saying it’s the Böttcher philosophy to ‘retain the good things from tradition, and create the new from our own strength’. In line with this, Böttcher plans not only to keep the core of Brissett’s manufacturing team, but is also gaining what Mulligan describes as ‘the centre of knowledge’ – current owner Terry Brissett and his son, Craig.
“While securing the future of a local manufacturer is important to us, it’s even more pleasing to be able to retain the invaluable expertise, knowledge and relationships which Terry and Craig Brissett enjoy with so many print businesses in Australia and New Zealand,” he says.
“Brissett has a proud heritage and an enviable reputation for quality, service and expertise in this part of the world. Terry’s contribution to the industry, in particular, has been outstanding. We are absolutely delighted to be able to bring both he and Craig into the Böttcher Australia fold.”
Already, the team at Brissett’s Tempe plant and Böttcher’s headquarters in Castle Hill are preparing for relocation, which will commence in the second half of October. Official handover date is 1 November, 2018.
After a ‘settling in’ period in the fourth quarter, the two manufacturing teams and processes will be fully integrated into a combined operation on a new site at Smithfield, where the entire business will be converted across to Böttcher’s world-leading manufacturing methods and compounds.
“Over the next few weeks, Glenn Brissett and I will be visiting customers around the country to explain the changes and the extended value we can deliver in more detail,” Mulligan says.
“We’re looking forward to maintaining and growing our relationships with our customers across Australia and New Zealand, and are genuinely excited about the future.”
