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In a not unexpected move following the exits of HP, Xerox, Fujifilm, Kodak, Komori, EFI, Screen and Heidelberg amongst others, two of the biggest names in digital print have decided not to exhibit at the April 2021 trade fair, for the same reasons - health and safety. However, both are looking forward to the 'virtual platform.' Andy McCourt comments.

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Two weeks ago, we announced a great initiative by Mutoh Australia, to donate $500 to the Fred Hollows Foundation for every Braille-enabled UV printer sold between now and Christmas. Now, as World Sight Day approaches on October 8th, Corporate Match 2.0 will double that – another $500 to the Foundation.

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“Sign makers - have your say - take 5 to help us collect valuable data to help you make better business decisions and help inform our lobbying, training and supply plans,” says suppliers association Visual Connections. The group’s Great Australian Sign Survey to map the current state of the multi-million dollar Australian sign industry closes on Friday 9^th October.  

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EFI IQ, a new suite of free and paid cloud applications that includes EFI IQ Dashboard, EFI Insight and EFI Notify, is designed to operate with Fiery Driven cut-sheet digital printers to minimize bottlenecks and boost equipment utilization.

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HP Inc. has agreed to pay US$6 million as part of a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over charges that it misled investors by failing to disclose the impact of sales practices designed to boost ink sales in Asia Pacific and Japan.

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Suppliers group Visual Connections has announced its funding and support for a campaign led by The Real Media Collective (TRMC) designed to combat “the misrepresentation of the paper and print sector across Australia and New Zealand.” This is a further example of TRMC's pro-active industry lobbying, while  the PVCA (PIAA) appears strangely muted.

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Yohei Konaka has officially taken on the role of managing director of Konica Minolta Australia effective immediately, following a delay in his official appointment due to COVID-19.

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Inkjet printing technology group Xaar, which has invested £70m in R&D in recent years, has launched the ImagineX bulk printhead platform that will "drive a step change in performance enhancements including printing at resolutions up to 1440dpi and speeds of 150kHz.” Xaar also outlined a new company strategy to return to sustainable long-term growth. 

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Digital printing technologies manufacturer Durst strengthened its position in the wide format market with the acquisition of Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, headquartered in Lawrenceville, Georgia/USA.

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Graphic Art Mart, trade supplier to sign, display, printing and graphics industries, says industry veteran Michael Culver and Matt Christie, formerly with Spicers and Mulford Plastics, will join its operations in Sydney and Melbourne.

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The administrators of Craftech Custodians are advising creditors to accept a DOCA, otherwise lose almost everything. In its report to creditors, O’Brien Palmer estimate that Craftech has been losing money since at least June 2018, and lack or orders during Covid sent them over the brink.

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Online retail giant Amazon has expanded its agreement with the Israeli textile printer manufacturer and committed to spending $400 million in five years on Kornit’s digital technology and services. Amazon is a major shareholder in the NASDAQ-listed textile print business.

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FESPA has introduced a new ‘Coffee Break’ webinar series that will feature industry experts on subjects including process control, sustainable business and software automation. The series kicks off on 20 October 2020, less than five months before FESPA hosts its next global print expo in Amsterdam (9-12 March 2021).

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Flatbed printers by swissQprint and the RIP software by Onyx Graphics are now compatible, with the two companies establishing a partnership to offer 'additional possibilities' to print service providers.

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Digital printing giant HP, which had planned to take the entire hall 17 again at the Messe Düsseldorf, appears to have joined a growing list of major exhibitors to withdraw from the April 2021 global print expo because of concerns about Covid-19.

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“If your business is manufacturing products (Print, signage and so on), then you may return to work but only up to 90% of your peak workforce,” says ASGA Victoria chair Mick Harrold on Melbourne’s Step Two announcement. In terms of signage installation work, Harrold said: “We have been in contact with the Government and we are being told that there will be further clarification around this.”

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“It is a new normal,” says Jacinta Jacobson, general manager of Hobart trade printer Focal Printing, in a new episode of Ball & Doggett’s YouTube series RESET. “Things aren’t like they used to be and I don’t think they ever will be. I think we’re in this new chapter of life, really. And we’re looking after each other, as management and staff.  We’re actually stopping, we’re eyeballing each other and saying, ‘Are you okay?’”

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“For many of you this means you and your staff are no longer eligible for JobKeeper payments,” according to Hicksons Lawyers, legal advisor to the Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA). The current JobKeeper scheme ended on Sunday, 27 September 2020 and the changes introduced under JobKeeper extension period 2 started on 28 September 2020.  In an update to ASGA members, Hicksons outlined “which changes may apply based on your business's circumstances and what action you may need to take.”

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 Under an easing of Covid-19 restrictions announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, manufacturing can return with up to 90 per cent of its workforce from 11.59pm Sunday (Sept 27). There will be additional obligations for some employers, including regular testing and training of staff, nightly deep cleaning and separating workers into bubbles.

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Australian Sign & Graphics Association Victoria chair Mick Harrold says he's hoping an announcement on Sunday from the Victorian Government will shed light on how a move to stage two Covid-19 restrictions will impact the sign industry.