We asked Terri Sheahan our Head of Copy from the Precision Fundraising team could she ask Cory about how Precision came to be the next time they met up. In fact, we were especially curious to hear from Cory on the importance of Precision Fundraising in his business life and how that focus has shaped his approach over the years.
This is “some” of their conversation that happened in Brisbane, with Cory speaking on the growth of Precision Group and the importance of Precision Fundraising in his life…
“Terri: Cory, how did you first get started in the print industry?
Cory: Well… I was 14, working at Melbourne Mailing as a materials handler. Presses, folders, and a lot of learning by trial and error. I liked being part of something that actually produced something real and found I had a knack of being able to run and fix the mailing machines.
If a machine stopped I was told to strip it down, find the problem, fix it and put it back together again.
By 17, I ended up supervising the hand line and fulfilment team. I remember thinking, “How did I get here?” It was chaos and confusion all at once, but I learned so much about people, timing, and problem-solving.
From there, I moved up to assistant production manager, then into print sales, production manager, operations manager… and eventually, I became a shareholder. Every role taught me something: leadership, logistics, how to keep clients focused, and how to make decisions quickly.
In 2008, at 25, I left to start Precision Group. My first purchase? A T49 MBO paper folder for about $5,500. Not exactly glamorous, but it worked. Over the years, we grew slowly and surely, acquiring The Place to Print, Manark Press, and a couple of years ago, even Melbourne Mailing—the very place I started more than 26 years ago. Since then, we have gone onto acquire AMS and JP Printing because of the people who owned the business and worked in the business. All really good people.
Today, we’re a full-service company—printing, finishing, mailing, 3PL, POS, fundraising, digital marketing, telefundraising. I don’t take any of this for granted and it’s taken a lot of work by an incredible team of people.”
Terri: “You were invited to nominate yourself for the Industry Achievement Award—what was that like?”
Cory: “Awkward, really. I don’t like putting myself forward. But my Business Partner reminded me that any recognition I get is a reflection of the entire Precision team. And… well, they really deserve it.
We’ve grown a lot over the years. Precision now employs 100 people—some of the most skilled print professionals and fundraisers in the country—and we work with everyone from government departments and sporting bodies to grassroots charities. It’s humbling to think of the sheer variety of people and projects we’ve had the privilege to support. And we still work with our first client, The Stroke Foundation.”
Terri: “Over 27 years in print and production, what contributions to the industry are you most proud of?”
Cory: “Well…it’s a mix of things. Starting on the floor gave me insight into how this industry actually works. You can read all the manuals in the world, but nothing teaches you like hands-on experience with a press or a folding machine.
Launching Precision Fundraising in 2014 is something I’m really proud of. Helping charities raise funds has been incredibly rewarding, and it also demonstrates the value of print beyond the obvious. I’ve been involved with the Fundraising Institute of Australia, and I even helped out the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand when they needed it. Donating time, resources, and services to help campaigns succeed—it’s the kind of thing that doesn’t always make headlines, but it really matters.
And investing in people and systems has helped too. ISO certifications, advanced machinery, and integrated platforms like PrintiQ are all about making our industry more professional and sustainable.”
Terri: “What’s the biggest challenge facing the print industry today?”
Cory: “People. Finding skilled operators, training them, keeping them. Technology is brilliant—you can put almost anyone on a digital press and they’ll get by—but that’s not craftsmanship. On our floor, we have both worlds: traditional presses run by real craftsmen and cutting-edge digital equipment handled by tech-savvy printers. Both essential nowadays.
The real worry is that we’re losing the seasoned printers faster than we can replace them. There’s also a storytelling gap. Everyone focuses on market downturns, declining budgets, fewer jobs—but there are amazing innovations happening. We need to tell those stories, show young people that print is creative, challenging, and impactful.”
Terri: “How have you personally supported and improved the industry?”
Cory: “I try to do what I can. Through Precision Fundraising, we help charities raise funds and at the same time boost print production—it’s a win-win. I served on FIA Victoria’s committee before stepping back to position Precision as a major sponsor. Over the years, I’ve invested time, money, and resources to help the FIA grow and professionalize.
When FINZ in New Zealand faced challenges, we jumped in—donating services, time, and resources to help them run campaigns. We even set up an Emergency Appeal, challenging others to match contributions. It wasn’t easy because people we competed with questioned our motives but a good few stood up. That kind of collaboration strengthens the industry and shows what print and fundraising can achieve together.”
Terri: “And supporting print, even outside your own business?”
Cory: “Yeah, that’s been important to me. Fundraising campaigns have helped lift the reputation of the print industry, showing that high-quality production can really make an impact. And my team love seeing the results—raising millions for charities gives people a real sense of pride. That’s exactly why I set up Precision Fundraising. It’s meaningful work, it keeps the production teams busy, and it contributes to the industry’s credibility.”
Pull quote: “When our team sees the impact of their work—millions raised, lives changed—it motivates everyone.”
Terri: “Looking back, what personal and professional achievements are you most proud of?”
Cory: “Personally, my family. They keep me grounded and remind me what really matters. Professionally… it’s a mix. Growing Precision Group from a single piece of equipment to a multi-division company, completing acquisitions —those are milestones.
But what really keeps me going is seeing the difference we make. Whether it’s ink on paper, a charity raising millions, or a staff member feeling proud of their work—it’s meaningful. That’s what I love about this industry.”
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
