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Industry supplier association Visual Connections has launched a new survey that seeks to map the changing Australian sign industry. “There are perhaps no more constantly evolving industries than sign and print, so understanding how they are changing, and what they require, is vital,” says Peter Harper, CEO of Visual Connections. 

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Organisers of global print expo drupa (April 20-28 2021, Düsseldorf, Germany) will introduce a new online platform next month to offer exhibitors and visitors “an additional channel for touching base with the sector, discussing trending themes and presenting product portfolios.” The move follows the withdrawal of several high profile exhibitors from next year's rescheduled trade fair over concerns regarding Covid-19.

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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has called on the Victorian Government to cover the costs associated with small business closures, following the "devastating" announcement that tough trading restrictions will remain in place until the end of October, at the earliest.

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In a statement issued today, Monday 7th September, the offices of Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg and Attorney General/Minister for Industrial Relations, Christian Porter, said the government was extending regulatory relief for businesses impacted by Covid-19.

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Print and marketing business IVE Group was awarded millions of dollars in contracts by state-run workers' compensation insurer icare without all of the contracts being put to an open tender, according to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald. ASX-listed IVE - headed by executive chairman and former NSW Liberal Party president Geoff Selig - has 'extensive links' to the NSW Liberal Party, says the report. 

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 Digital print technology manufacturer Screen joined several high profile companies in withdrawing from next year’s rescheduled global print expo drupa (April 20-28, Düsseldorf), saying the Covid-19 risk is too great.
 Meanwhile, decorative coatings leader Kurz confirmed it would continue a company tradition dating back to 1954, describing its participation at drupa as “very important.”

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 Fuji Xerox New Zealand’s two legal entities recorded a 2020 FY profit after tax of $513,000, down from $3.8 million in the previous year, as Covid-19 restrictions saw revenue shrink by almost $27 million to $155.9 million. 
 Meanwhile in Tokyo, parent company Fuji Xerox has announced a joint venture with US robotics and software company Ripchord, to drive “digital transformation…ridding corporations of reliance on paper records.”

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The Real Media Collective (TRMC) has announced a new campaign – backed by emergency funding from the Australasian Paper Industry Association (APIA) – to combat “the misrepresentation of the paper and print sector across Australia and New Zealand.”

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Avery Dennison has added five new colours to its popular Supreme Wrapping Film range for car wrapping. “Again we're leading with the latest automotive colour trends, with deeper pigments for a more powerful look, more intense colours and mesmerizing metallics.”

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Innovative out of home advertiser Goa Billboards - Queensland’s largest billboard and signage company - has created two new senior management roles in Sydney as it seeks to broaden its presence beyond Queensland. “I’m excited at both the rate and quality of new sites we’re acquiring,” said CEO Chris Tyquin.

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The Northern Rivers region of NSW is a dynamic growth area, fuelled by places such as Byron Bay. However, all around this vast and picturesque area, there are thriving sign businesses such as Ballina’s LJ Signs, punching way above its weight covering an area from Bundaberg in the north to Newcastle in the south. Andy McCourt pays LJ a visit.

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Canon’s new Arizona 2300 series, which can print up to 95sqm/hr, is built around new Arizona FLOW technology, a vacuum technique that does not require taping down of media. It’s designed to speed up production and fuel growth opportunities in the wide format market through new applications.

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Roland DG Australia has launched new Roland Academy Online Training courses designed to support customers in lieu of face-to-face training. Tickets priced between $29 and $49 are on sale now. Due to demand, a new course  for VersaUV  LEF printers has also been added.

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Epson’s new 76-inch SureColor F10060 large-format printer is a sophisticated dye-sublimation machine that offers fast, cost-effective fabric production for soft signage, fashion, sportswear, home furnishings and décor.

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Outdoor advertiser oOh!media – owner of wide format printer Cactus Imaging – has named Nova Entertainment Group CEO Cathy O’Connor as its new managing director and CEO, replacing oOh! founder and CEO Brendon Cook, who earlier this year announced his intention to stand down.

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Administrators of Sydney wide format printer Craftech, NSW, have pulled the plug on the forthcoming equipment auction after receiving interest from buyers interested in acquiring the entire business as a going concern. Readers should note that inspection days and bidding are now postponed.

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In this first of our series looking at regional town and city sign businesses, we visit David Marshall's Sign City Plus in the beautiful coastal town of Port Macquarie, NSW. David quit the 'big smoke' of Sydney ten years ago and has never looked back. His work is to be seen all over Port Macquarie and the Hastings area, brightening up streetscapes and businesses.

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Mimaki Australia national marketing manager Brad Creighton showcases the company’s range of solvent and latex printers in a new 28-minute video released by wrap specialist and trainer Vaidas Gecas from Sydney’s Wrap Virus.

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Leading UK inkjet printing technology company Xaar has launched a highly advanced, simple to install printhead following close collaboration with its global OEMs who include EFI, Domino and Durst. It’s the first printhead to be released under Xaar’s new leadership team.

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“When I started out I was often the only woman in a room of 300 men at printing industry events, whether it be in Australia, New Zealand, drupa or Ipex,” Women in Print Australia (WIP) founder Susan Heaney told this week’s heavily subscribed WIP webinar.

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The region’s largest printing company recorded a statutory net loss after tax and significant items (primarily NSW site consolidation) of $108.8 million for 2020, as sales revenue slumped by $130 million, mostly due to the impact of Covid-19. “In this environment it is too early to predict what our ‘new normal’ will look like,” warned CEO Kevin Slaven, flagging asset sales and redundancies.