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HP’s manufacturing operations will be adversly affected this quarter due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) epidemic, according to HP CEO Enrique Lores. "After Chinese New Year, production has slowed down," he said. Meanwhile, industry researcher IDC has warned that concerns over the epidemic may acutely impact the global large format printer market.

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"There have been some understandable questions about whether the unfolding COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation will affect the Visual Impact Expo due to open on the Gold Coast in late April," say organisers Visual Connections. "The good news is that at this stage planning continues in the expectation that all will go ahead as scheduled, both for the expo and for the ASGA/FESPA Australia HP National Conference and Awards."

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Roland DG Australia has appointed print industry veteran Jeremy Matthews as its new Adelaide-based service engineer in South Australia.

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More than 600 exhibitors will showcase innovations in digital and screen printing for graphics, signage, décor, packaging, industrial and textile applications at global print expo FESPA 2020 in Madrid (24-27 March). Wide format technology manufacturers Roland DG, Mutoh, Canon and AGFA previewed their stands. 

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The region’s biggest print company Ovato (formerly PMP) reported a net loss of $58m in H1 FY20, with subdued retail conditions hitting newspaper and non-food catalogue volumes and pushing down sales by $34m to $328m. The cost of the company’s site consolidation at Warwick Farm in Sydney has jumped by $10m to $60m due to operational and labour issues.

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Industry supplier HVG, part of the Halifax Vogel Group, is having an exceptionally good value clearance on backlit, frontlit and blockout fabric rolls from 1600mm to 3200mm wide and 50-100 metre lengths. Often known as a 'BOGOF' sale - buy one get one free - the prices have already been discounted by 20-30%. Offer ends March 6th - Check it out and save!

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Messe Düsseldorf has made it plain that drupa, based on current knowledge, will go ahead. Rumours have been swirling that it will be cancelled, so here is the official statement from the organisers.

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The Gold Coast is proving a popular choice of venue for the first Visual Impact expo for 2020, with visitor pre-registrations for the show up 50% on the last iteration of the event, the 2018 Brisbane show.

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 Supplier Ricky Richards has added Sihl’s Poster Paper Pro and Satin wallpaper products to its extensive range of signage and display textiles and substrates. The PVC-free pre-pasted Satin wallpaper is ideal for signs, posters and photos.

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The focus of Durst’s stand at FESPA 2020 in Madrid, Spain (24-27 March), the P5 350 printing system offers “extended features, options and inks to perfect the hybrid variety of applications for roll-to-roll media and boards.” The 3.5m / 11.5ft printer is equipped with a multi-roll option, so users can load rolls during printing to reduce setup times and increase efficiency.

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The company famed for Flexi announces that, as of Q1 2020, over 14,000 global sign & display business now accessing its software via subscription, and is planning a big FESPA showing.

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A group of graphics students from Hornsby TAFE were treated to a tour of Chatswood printer Clark Murphy Print (CMP) this week, organised by print evangelist James Cryer and TAFE’s Jenny Young. Story by James Cryer.

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HP says its new strategic plan, “supported by HP’s market leadership across personal systems, print, and 3D printing & digital manufacturing,” will deliver significant earnings growth and a new capital return program of about $US16 billion during 2020 to 2022.  At its first quarter earnings announcement, HP dismissed a new takeover offer from competitor Xerox as irresponsible and overstated but added it was “reaching out to Xerox to explore if there is a combination that creates value for HP shareholders."

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Konica Minolta has recommended that its employees in Japan should work remotely and commute during off-peak hours in response to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The company has also cancelled business meetings and seminars.  Fears over the coronavirus wiped $51 billion off the ASX yesterday, as Australia’s chief medical officer said "a strong possibility of a pandemic" had increased in recent days. The global number of cases has now risen to more than 79,000, with outbreaks in Italy, South Korea and Iran. The death toll in China is more than 2,500. 

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Our colleagues at Sign Africa have reported a ‘world first’ in the offering of HP Latex printers on a pay-per-use model by reseller Midcomp, similar to Heidelberg’s ‘subscription’ model and the cut-sheet digital monthly maintenance and click charge. Will it catch on here in Australia and New Zealand?

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Drytac, the global self-adhesive materials manufacturer for large format print and signage markets, has appointed Melbourne-based supplier Shann Digital Print Media (DPM) as exclusive Australian distributor for its range of wide format print media, mounting and protective films.

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Registrations are now open for the inaugural 2020 HP National Sign & Display Conference, and the associated HP Awards for Excellence, presented by ASGA and FESPA Australia, that will take place at Visual Impact Gold Coast. Award entries in 22 categories have been extended to 9 March. 

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Wide format industry consumables supplier Orafol Australia has added no fewer than five new senior team members to its already experienced staff for 2020.

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The European Sign Expo 2020, co-located with FESPA in Madrid next month (24-27 March), will be a platform for sign-makers to see how the non-printed signage sector is evolving, with latest technology developments, application possibilities and trends being highlighted by global market leaders and industry specialists.

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FESPA 2020 organisers are contacting all exhibiting company representatives and pre-registered visitors from China requesting evidence that those attending next month's global print expo have not resided in or visited China at any time after 5th March 2020. Exhibitors and visitors from China not fulfilling this requirement will not be able to participate in the show.

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The ACCC will not oppose the acquisition of Direct Paper by Spicers Limited, finding that alternative suppliers of commercial printing paper and direct supply arrangements between printers and paper mills will continue to provide strong competition and constrain paper prices. Spicers supplies the print industry with a range of media for commercial and digital print, label and packaging, sign and display, and architectural and window films.