Global Plus Publishing (GPP), a leading Nigerian printing company, has stepped up its capacity expansion drive with the acquisition of the Ecoline Manugraph Web Printing Machine, a move aimed at reducing capital flight and discouraging publishers and other clients from taking printing jobs outside the country.
The company said the investment in advanced printing technology would strengthen its production capabilities, improve service delivery and position Nigeria to retain a larger share of printing-related expenditure currently lost to offshore service providers.
Folasade Imoagene, managing director of GPP, disclosed the company’s ambition at the unveiling of the machine at its corporate headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, recently.
According to her, the acquisition represents a notable advancement in GPP’s operational capacity and signals a new phase in the company’s efforts to compete at both local and international levels.
“The introduction of this machine marks a new chapter for us,” Imoagene said, stressing that the investment would enable the company to provide enhanced printing solutions while reducing the need for Nigerian publishers to seek specialised services abroad.
She said GPP remained committed to delivering high-quality services to its growing clientele, identifying its rigorous proofreading process as part of the company’s distinct value proposition.
Imoagene said the company had built a reputation around innovation, quality and customer satisfaction and would continue to invest in technology capable of meeting evolving industry requirements and global printing standards.
The investment, she noted, goes beyond improving GPP’s operational efficiency, as it also has implications for the wider Nigerian economy through the retention of printing jobs and expenditure within the country.
By building local capacity, the company hopes to capture a larger segment of specialised printing services and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s printing industry.
Yemisi Kudehinbu, chairman of the board of directors of GPP, described the acquisition as a major milestone in the company’s growth trajectory.
She commended the management and staff for their commitment to innovation and growth despite the challenging operating environment confronting businesses in Nigeria.
“We are celebrating a significant milestone in our journey as the foremost and preferred printing press, and the capacity expansion we have experienced with this additional web press is a major leap forward.
“We are committed to contributing to the growth of the printing industry in Nigeria. We want to make Nigeria a pride of the nations of the world, and we believe that we will be able to do that,” Kudehinbu said.
She said the company expected the latest investment to pave the way for further expansion and milestones, adding that collaboration among stakeholders would be critical to the industry’s long-term development.
The expansion has also drawn support from key players in Nigeria’s financial and printing sectors.
Olasupo Olusi, represented at the event by Richard Imonije, commended GPP’s pursuit of excellence and quality service delivery, noting that the support extended to the company by the Bank of Industry (BoI) reflected confidence in the value and potential of its operations.
According to Olusi, investments in businesses such as GPP are important because of their capacity to deliver commercial value while generating positive economic impact.
Yemisi Edun, managing director of FCMB, also praised the company’s vision, innovation and job creation efforts, saying support for businesses making productive investments could unlock broader economic growth and prosperity.
Similarly, Babajide Salako of the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) said GPP’s adoption of the new technology demonstrated the growing importance of innovation and sustainability in strengthening the country’s printing industry.
He said investments in modern technology were critical to improving efficiency, productivity and the quality of printing services in Nigeria.
The new machine is expected to expand GPP’s service offerings beyond conventional high-quality book printing.
Ravindra Chauhan, general manager, operations, said during a tour of the facility that the Ecoline Manugraph Web Printing Machine comes with advanced capabilities, including variable numbering and barcode features.
The technology, he said, would enable the company to expand into specialised and security-sensitive printing.
“It boasts advanced features, including variable numbering and barcode capabilities, enabling us to expand our printing services beyond high-quality book printing to include specialised security printing applications,” Chauhan said.
