Link Episode 13 - 5 Generations of Moving Forward
In Episode 13 of "The LINK," Benn Murphy of Clarke Murphy Print shares how a fifth-generation family business continues to evolve in Australia’s competitive print market. By blending tradition with diversification, speed and strong relationships, CMP has grown into a 90-person, multi-division operation built for modern brand demands.
When Dscoop Executive Director Peter van Teeseling sat down with Benn Murphy, Director of Clarke Murphy Print (CMP) in Sydney, Australia, what emerged was a portrait of a company that honors its past while moving decisively toward the future. The conversation explores how a deeply rooted family print business continues to grow and adapt, guided by optimism, operational discipline and a relentless focus on service.
The CMP story stretches back generations, but its modern chapter began in 1989 when the business started in a garage. Benn grew up around the presses, absorbing both the technical side of print and the cultural rhythms of a family-led organization. Even today, traditions such as a daily 10:15 a.m. morning tea break for staff remain intact, reinforcing connection and shared identity across a now 90-person team operating across nine specialized factories. That blend of continuity and ambition has become a defining strength.
Diversification has been central to CMP’s growth strategy. The company operates across offset, digital, wide format, roll labels, design and offshore procurement, positioning itself as a comprehensive brand and production partner rather than a single-channel printer. A labels division launched during the uncertainty of COVID has already grown to represent roughly 5%–6% of sales, focusing on point-of-sale and on-demand labels with 24-hour turnaround times. CMP's broad strategy is to capture more of each customer’s spend by solving more of their problems.
Benn points out that speed has emerged as a core differentiator. Seven years ago, CMP introduced print-on-demand services, initially focused on ultra-short-run book production. What began as a seemingly marginal offering evolved into an operational catalyst, sharpening workflows and improving overall performance. Today, the company achieves 99% on-time delivery within 24 hours during peak periods — a significant improvement from just a few years prior. In a market where clients increasingly value responsiveness, time has become CMP’s most powerful competitive advantage.
Supplier relationships are treated as strategic assets rather than transactional necessities. Benn explains that CMP maintains strict payment discipline and hosts an annual supplier night that brings together paper providers, machinery manufacturers and technology partners. This commitment to partnership fosters trust and ensures access to innovation and support when needed. The same collaborative spirit extends globally, as Benn actively connects with international print peers through site visits and owner-to-owner conversations. Those exchanges provide candid operational insights that can be adapted locally without competitive tension.
Looking ahead, Benn and his team continue to invest in automation and AI, with dedicated staff focused on refining administrative and production processes.
For Dscoop members, Benn’s journey underscores the value of balancing heritage with agility, diversifying with intention and cultivating relationships that sustain long-term growth.
