Starting from the lowest level in the printing industry almost 3 decades ago, Print Equip Limited boss – Mr. Olugbemi Malomo today is with the right experience and expertise for print equipment supplies. WHERE To Print caught up with him at the recent INTEC/PRINT EQUIP LAUNCH to find out more about his company, mission and thought about the printing industry in Nigeria. He shares this in the excerpt below:
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?
I have been in industry since 1986; I’m now 27 years in the printing industry.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY DO YOU SPECIALISE ON?
Let me start from the beginning. I started as an apprentice, and later graduated to running a printing press. Now, we specialise in supporting the printing industry. Print Equip is a one stop printing solution provider for specialist print equipment and support services. We represent over six print equipment manufacturers like PRESSTEK, Morgana Finishing Solutions, INTEC, ROTATEK, VIVID Lamination, and GRAFICUT. We are also into collaboration with other renowned companies like DIMUKEM on foil. And our model is – we put together non competing world class brands that are adapted for the Sub-Saharan West African market.
WHY DID YOU SPECIALISE ON THIS AREA?
The issue is that I am more comfortable in selling than printing actually. We believe that the Nigerian print environment is lagging behind in the world in terms of up-to-date and cost-effective print equipment. We take it upon ourselves to bridge the gap between Nigeria and developed world. For instance we sell equipment as low as N10, 000 to as high as N500 million. With these high costs, these equipments are difficult to finance by the banking industry, because what is available is short term funding. With how expensive these printing equipments can be; government should realise, recognise and support stakeholders.
In respect of this, we need more advocacies to get government to support the industry with special incentives, and favourable policies that aid procurement of quality equipment. Hence, we will continue to have capital flight when print users and buyers patronise foreign printing press to print low cost print services.
WHAT ARE YOUR LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE YEARS?
I will rather talk about the kind of achievement the industry itself ought to have achieved, particularly with regulation of the practise of printing today. We ought to have a policy on printing at the national level that will determine the way and manner printing business should be done; without this there will be backward slide in the industry. Another thing is that we need to advocate for alternative or intervention fund for purchase of print equipment which banking industry finds difficult to finance. Also we need to find a way of enhancing skills otherwise print investors will continue to employ foreigners to manage their presses.
WHAT CAN YOU POINT AS THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED SO FAR IN THE INDUSTRY?
The challenges are the ones common to all other sectors of the economy which are unresponsive leadership, epileptic energy supply, inadequate funding and dearth of skilled manpower or even lack of it.
HOW HAVE YOU BEING ABLE TO MANAGE THESE CHALLENGES?
We are Nigerians; we have survival instinct. The issue is that, I have not done anything in my life save this printing profession and because of this I have determined to leave a footprint behind for coming generations to refer to. This is what is keeping me going.
WHAT ARE YOUR COMPANY’S INNOVATIONS FOR THE COMING YEARS?
We are going to unveil some very innovative products very soon; I will prefer not to let the cat out of the bag at the moment. Printers should be on the lookout.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE RECENT LAUNCH OF INTEC MACHINES….
INTEC is our solution for the digital or print-on-demand market. It can do what others in its class cannot do. It can print on 600 grammage card and at the lowest cost per page in the industry. Another advantage is that it does not take large floor space to set up. INTEC machines are reliable and versatile printers that offer great capabilities for envelope printing, labels etc. Going by our slogan ‘Tell Story’, INTEC have wide range of unique benefits for marketers, designers, in-plants, quick print shops, specialist wedding stationers, commercial printers and indeed anyone that requires that little bit of something different from their on-demand digital colour printer. I will assure you that the entry of INTEC into the industry will definitely leave indelible mark in the Nigerian printing industry.
HOW DO YOU UNWIND IN THIS EVER BUSY NATURE OF THIS INDUSTRY?
I am a dire lover of football and lawn tennis. An ardent supporter of Arsenal Football Club; the only club closest to reality. I see a lot of entrepreneurs in Arsenal that is why I remain a loyal fan. I also play lawn tennis every Thursday and enjoy working in God’s vineyard more than any other thing.
ADVISE FOR YOUNG ONES IN THE INDUSTRY?
The young ones in the industry should ensure they learn the act of service; they should not be in a hurry to make money. They shouldn’t cut corners; be hardworking, focus and have a vision.
WHAT ARE YOUR LIKES?
I appreciate integrity, straightforwardness and honesty in people.
WHAT ARE YOUR DISLIKES?
I abhor people that lack integrity, not straightforward and dishonest.
HOBBY
Of course, watching football and playing lawn tennis.
