Clear Image, which has had a presence in the Barossa since October 2004, will take over the management of AQ Australia?s Nuriootpa operations from today with the aim of developing a world-class wine label printing facility in the Barossa Valley.

Managing Director of Clear Image Scott Springett said Clear Image was excited about the benefits the transaction would provide the local community and the wine industry.

??We look forward to developing quality long term relationships with our customers and with the Barossa community. Local wineries will benefit by having access to a leading wine label printer that will have the focus, commitment and resources to meet their current and future needs,? he said.

When completed, Clear Image?s operations, which began in Sydney in 1996, will grow from a staff of 54 across Australia to about 80 of which more than 30 will be based in the Barossa initially, with that number sure to grow with investment in new technology and capacity.

Clear Image has printing factories in Sydney and the Barossa Valley and a sales office in Adelaide.

Clear Image has extensive experience servicing the wine industry with Peter Lehmann, McWilliams Wines, Tyrrells, McGuigan Simeon, Casella Wines and Cellar Masters as clients along with a wide range of boutique wineries throughout South Australia and New South Wales.

??This is a logical progression for our company because we understand the nature of relationships in the wine industry. We understand the needs of regional wineries small and large.?

??As a specialist wine label printer, servicing the boutiques is part and parcel of our business, and that won?t change. But our immediate focus is to provide all customers with world-class wine label printing facilities,? he said.

Mr Springett said Clear Image would invest in leading edge printing technology during the next three to five years to achieve its business goal of becoming a world-class wine label printing company.

??The previous owners of AQ have done a wonderful job of setting up the infrastructure.? We want to build on this by attracting the best people to work for us and by making a positive contribution to the local community,? he said.

Mr Springett said employees from both AQ and Clear Image would benefit from the move.

??Our employees are part of an extremely successful organisation that is focused on serving the exacting needs of the Australian wine industry and building our business in line with our strategy.??

??The acquisition provides us with greater scope to build our business and to provide our employees with a secure future and greater opportunity.

??We have a very people oriented culture. Employees are encouraged to take responsibility and are empowered to do so with ownership of Clear Image shared between key staff,? he said.

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