More than 45 Years of Printing Expertise in Mauritius

THE STORY BEHIND PRÉCIGRAPH

 

Every fascinating story starts with amazing encounters. When Antoine and France de Labauve d’Arifat, Patrice Rousset and Alain Hardy decided to embark on this adventure in 1973, the social climate in Mauritius was tense. Emigration was at its height, the country was in the throes of the oil crisis and the economy was at an all-time low. But their acute sense of responsibility and citizenship lead them to answer their country’s call. With a true islander’s spirit of entrepreneurship, the trio ventured into the then unexplored printing sector with the outspoken ambition of becoming leaders in the field.
 

45 years on, Précigraph has managed to uphold its values and remain true to its printing craftsmanship, in uncompromising fashion. Three generations of printers have brought their modern and dynamic drive to the family business. With 130 collaborators and covering an area of 6 000 m2, the company today stands as the role model in graphic arts industry in the region, offering a seamless end-to-end service: from the product design, through the printing process, the finishing, right down to its final packaging.

“We have never compromised on quality! When you love this craft, you are delighted by the whiff of ink coming from the workshop, by the textures of the different papers, by the client’s satisfaction, embracing it as if it were your own. I believe that the new generation has the ability and the values to bring this fascinating craft further into the future.

Printing should above all be a passion. We are craftsmen; we transform paper, as a raw material, into objects of knowledge, enjoyment and beauty...It is a thrill to see the latest cutting edge technologies standing side by side with an elderly Heidelberg! That’s the essence of Précigraph: the latest innovation alongside tried and trusted tradition.”

Our Highlights

  • 1974

    Launch of the business with 7 employees, 2 single colour presses, one trimmer and a well-equipped pre-press studio.

    The first orders which were made up of a tourist guidebook and labels for the Major Rum trademark, overwhelm the new clients’ expectations.

  • 1973

    Setting up of the company by Antoine & France de Labauve d’Arifat, Patrice Rousset and Alain Hardy.

  • 1980

    Launch of the first 1981 diaries: Précidiary is born!

  • 1975

    Introduction of hot foiling & die cutting with the Original Heidelberg GTP.

  • 1981

    Purchase of the first folding and sewing machines for production of 5 volumes of the Laws of Mauritius. First export to Reunion Island.

  • 1991

    The First 5 colour press with in-line coater in Mauritius.

  • 1993

    The very first equipment in Mauritius to combine texts and images on film (Crosfield drum scanner).

  • 1985

    Investment in a MO 2-colour printing press (first perfecting press). Setting up of Préci-Ex in the Export Processing Zone.

  • 1999

    Silver anniversary and a new flatbed scanner.

  • 2000

    Investment in a 4-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster press and a UV varnishing machine.

  • 2004

    Third extension of the workshop with the arrival of a five-colour offset perfecting press with in-line varnishing: the very first of this series in the world from the Heidelberg factories!

  • 2003

    Vincent de Labauve d’Arifat takes the helm as General Manager.

  • 2005

    Arrival of the Computer-To-Plate (CTP) technology, eliminating the use of films.

  • 2011

    New MGI Meteor digital press.

  • 2014

    Vincent de Labauve d’Arifat wins the Tecoma Entrepreneur of the Year Award. 
    Arrival of the revolutionary Heidelberg Anicolor Offset press.

  • 2017

    135 enthusiastic team members, 6 000m² of ever bubbling energy more than 500 satisfied clients across the region.

  • 2020 & 2021

    Amid the pandemic, Précigraph continues its food packaging operations, collaborating with both local and international producers. The company demonstrates exceptional adaptability by retaining all employees through rotating teams and remote work. 

  • 2023

    Précigraph proudly represents Mauritius as the sole (and first!) Mauritian exhibitor at the Propack exhibition in Cape Town, South Africa, highlighting its expertise and innovation in printing and packaging. 

  • 2024

    Vincent, François, and Hubert de Labauve d'Arifat attend the Drupa fair in Germany to explore the latest innovations and technologies in printing, packaging, and binding, while also reviewing and meeting suppliers of raw materials. 

  • 2015

    Précigraph is awarded the official "Made In Moris" label for its diaries and notebooks, emphasising its dedication to local production and Mauritian quality.

  • 2018

    Précigraph refreshes its visual identity to better project its strategic ambitions in 4 main sectors: printing, packaging, publishing and design. It is also reiterating its commitment to its employees, clients, partners and other stakeholders by asserting its promise: “Précigraph, your strongest impression”.

  • 2023

    Précigraph leads with innovation by installing two new carbon neutral and chemistry-free CTPs, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and advanced technology. 

  • 2024

    Précigraph transitions to 100% vegetable oil-based inks, having used these inks for over ten years except on substrates like metalised papers (eg: labels). 

2024

 The entire Précigraph team celebrates with great enthusiasm and emotion the company's golden jubilee.

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