IVE Group activates 42,000-square-meter packaging and print supersite in Western Sydney

A strategic pivot from commercial print to high-volume packaging

The Australian print and marketing landscape is undergoing a structural shift, and IVE Group is positioning itself at the center of this transformation. This July 2026, the company has officially opened the doors to its new 42,000-square-meter supersite in Kemps Creek, Western Sydney. This is not merely a relocation; it is the largest single investment in IVE’s 105-year history and a clear signal of its aggressive expansion into the folding carton and packaging sector.

For decades, IVE has been a dominant force in commercial print and catalog production. However, the Kemps Creek facility, located within Mirvac’s Aspect Industrial Estate, represents a calculated pivot. By consolidating five distinct business units—packaging, commercial and digital print, book production, direct mail, and brand activations—under one roof, IVE is engineering a highly integrated supply chain. The ultimate goal is clear: to build a packaging operation capable of generating $150 million annually.

Heavy metal: Koenig & Bauer and Bobst anchor the production floor

At the core of this new supersite is a formidable lineup of European machinery. IVE has installed two B1 Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106X presses, capable of running at 20,000 sheets per hour. The configuration is highly specific to the packaging market: a seven-unit press with a double coater dedicated exclusively to packaging, alongside a ten-color perfector designed to handle both packaging and high-end commercial work.

Downstream, the finishing department is anchored by Bobst die-cutting equipment and a state-of-the-art Bobst folder-gluer line. As an industry analyst, I look closely at the foundation of a pressroom, and IVE has purpose-engineered the concrete and workflow logistics here to accommodate future heavy equipment, indicating that this initial installation is just phase one of a broader capacity expansion.

• Total footprint: 42,000 square meters in Western Sydney.
• Core printing technology: Two K&B Rapida 106X presses (7-unit and 10-color).
• Finishing technology: Bobst die-cutting and folder-gluer lines.
• Early client wins: Contracts secured with Arnott’s and PepsiCo in June 2026.

Operational efficiency meets environmental compliance

Managing Director Matt Aitken has emphasized that the Kemps Creek site is modeled on top-tier European packaging facilities. The workflow is designed to seamlessly integrate the movement of raw materials through production and straight into the adjacent warehousing and distribution channels. This mirrors the successful model IVE established at its Braeside facility in Victoria.

Beyond raw output, the facility addresses the growing mandate for sustainable manufacturing. The site features a purpose-designed waste extraction system that automatically bales paper and board offcuts for recycling. Coupled with rooftop solar panels, EV charging infrastructure, and a 5-star green rating, the plant aligns with the stringent environmental procurement standards demanded by global FMCG brands.

The successful execution of this supersite proves that scale and integration are the only viable paths forward for legacy print businesses looking to capture high-margin packaging market share. Will other regional commercial printers have the capital and the courage to make similar nine-figure pivots before the decade ends? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai