Alberton Boulevard business forced to close due to load-shedding

Load shedding is the main reason an Alberton business has to permanently close its doors, marking the end of a 19-year journey of serving the Alberton community and neighbouring areas. Copy 2 Print and DTP 2 Print, jointly operational on Alberton Boulevard, have fallen victim to the crippling effects of frequent power outages. As a result, they will have to stop operations.

The closure of the printing company has led to the unfortunate loss of jobs for at least 15 employees. At its peak, the company employed 49 individuals, making this closure a devastating blow to the local workforce.

Erik Storm, the disheartened owner of Copy 2 Print and DTP 2 Print, expressed the challenges ahead for them. Reflecting on the situation, Storm explained that during a previous incident when Alberton experienced a two-week power outage, the company had to dig deep into their finances and strain their resources to rent a large generator to keep their operations running.

Storm elaborated on the decision to liquidate, citing safety concerns and the financial strain caused by load shedding. In addition, the high energy consumption of their machinery and rising input costs and fuel expenses made it unsustainable to continue operating under such conditions.

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According to Storm, load shedding has been an issue for over a decade but has intensified recently. Despite surviving the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic impact and reduced order sizes from clients became an insurmountable hurdle for the printing company.

The financial performance of Copy 2 Print and DTP 2 Print has significantly declined, with combined revenues dropping from R10 million to R4 million in the past fiscal year. Unfortunately, expenses remained the same or even increased during this period.

Storm expressed his love for Southern Africa and its people, committing to stay in the country despite this setback. While the closure has deeply affected the community and loyal clients, Storm remains determined to explore alternative options and strategies to overcome the challenges and stay resilient.

Customers who have pending orders with the company should contact Erik Storm via email at [email protected] to make necessary arrangements for collection.

Source: Load-shedding forces Alberton Boulevard business to close its doors

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Picture: Facebook / Copy Print