rollers - offset  appointments  business planning 
Cross-Tasman agreement increases local competition Applied Pressroom Technologies (APT) has emerged as the third major supplier of press-ready rollers in Australia after signing an agreement with New Zealand roller manufacturer Thordon Rollers Australia.

While it will be adding brand new rollers to its portfolio of press chemistries, APT has chosen not to go up against its two main competitors in offering a roller exchange programme. According to APT managing director Paul Jackson this is due to the potential angst it can cause between his company and its customers, which has the potential to affect its focus on its core business of roller supply.

The agreement was instigated by Thorndon Rollers Australia director Loughie Prendergast, who had been looking for a representative for his products in Australia. He invited Jackson over to discuss the possible arrangement, which was made effective in May.

"This agreement enables us to offer a true package, along with expertise, in both the chemical and roller field," says Jackson.
"We saw a need for this in the industry. Many printers have been complaining about the lack of service and have been crying out for another supplier."

Jackson confirmed that APT will not attempt to out-price its competitors, but instead offer a level of service that customers won’t mind paying a little extra for. This philosophy seems to already be paying dividends with a number of major web companies already using the rollers.

The new rollers, manufactured using German technologies, are ISO 9002 Certification and are guaranteed to offer longer roller life with the promise of no roller shrinkage over the life of the product.