Outgoing Konica Minolta Australia chairman/MD Dr David Cooke has agreed to continue in his current role until Australia's borders are reopened and new MD Yohei Konaka can travel to Australia from Japan. 

As trade events around the world are postponed, a raft of ‘virtual’ trade fair organisers has cropped up in the expectation that budgets will transfer from steel-and-cement halls, to computer and mobile screens.

Inkjet printheads for industial-commercial use have been around for about three decades and have progressively improved - along with onboard cleaning and maintenance systems - but they can still clog. In times of intermittent use or shutdown. With some piezo printheads costing as much as $6,000 each, it's worth looking after them.

In an effort to assist employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA) is offering free membership to all companies until 31 December 2020. For current members, 2020 membership will be extended from 30 June 2020 until 31 December 2020.  

Onyx Graphics is offering a new series of educational webinars to help its customers optimise workflow and maximize their ONYX investment. The interactive online training programs are delivered live from ONYX experts across the globe.

“Small businesses are under enormous pressure right now, with many forced to close their doors and others unsure how they will survive the coming months,” says Australian Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnell.

A mandatory Commercial Tenancy Code announced by the Federal Government paves the way for small businesses to negotiate some rent relief with their landlords, according to Australian Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnel. Eligible small businesses who have seen a reduction in trade will be able to negotiate a rent reduction with their landlord.

Epson has established Epson X Investment Corporation (EXI), a new corporate venture capital (CVC) subsidiary aimed at accelerating collaboration and innovation, growing existing businesses and creating new ones. A multi-million dollar fund will be set up for venture investment.

Growing Large Format & Laminating industry supplier Total Image Supplies has added products from Lamination System to its portfolio of quality equipment and consumables and is now a distribution partner for the South Australian-based manufacturer and importer.

Roland DG Australia has launched a dedicated webpage with a range of online resources to support its customers during the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

Melbourne sign & display business Seen Technology and Sydney-based large format company Composite Images have joined a global network of Massivit 3D customers and distributors to print Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) in the fight against the coronavirus.

US digital print technology giant Xerox Holdings is teaming up with Vortran Medical Technology to rapidly scale up production of Vortran’s low-cost GO2Vent ventilator and Airway Pressure Monitor (APM-Plus) to help in the fight against COVID-19.

Large format print technology manufacturer Durst reopened production facilities in Italy and Austria on Monday after shutting down last month because of the coronavirus. Staff will be required to wear masks and protective suits.

More than 50 signage and print industry businesses are among over 500 companies who've so far offered to 're-tool' to manufacture urgently needed medical equipment during the COVID-19 crisis, after an emergency appeal this week by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Australia’s Out of Home (OOH) industry recorded a decrease of 2.59 percent in net media revenue year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020, posting $207.2 million, a dip from $212.7* million for Q1 2019.

HP has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at helping its global partners to navigate operational and financial challenges associated with COVID-19. The new programs span global commercial and retail channel partners across Personal Systems and Print.

Epson’s SureColor large-format printers and an industrial robot have won the global Red Dot Award in the Product Design category, the fourth successive year that Epson products have been recognised in the award. The company’s printers have also been recognised for their second successive Red Dot: Best of Best Award.

Industry employer group the Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA) is offering its members a lease re-negotiation and insurance review package for $500 “to meet the unusual times we are operating in.”

swissQprint has introduced new options to broaden the range of applications for its large format printers, including orange ink to expand the colour gamut and varnish for the Karibu roll to roll printer.

Canon Production Printing Australia has announced the new varioPRINT iX-series, an advanced sheetfed inkjet press aimed at offset-quality conscious high-volume users. This could be further evidence that dry toner cut-sheet colour is losing out to inkjet at the top end of the market.

“The current global health crisis and resulting macroeconomic and market turmoil caused by COVID-19 have created an environment that is not conducive to Xerox continuing to pursue an acquisition of HP Inc."