An infectious diseases expert says Australian factories and businesses hoping to reopen under any government easing of Covid-19 restrictions will have to rethink how they operate. The comments came as Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal government was building towards a ‘COVID-safe economy.'

Software company Enfocus, a global leader in PDF productivity and workflow automation for the graphic arts industry, has released PitStop Pro and PitStop Server 2020: “A must have, not only for printing companies, but especially also for Large Format Printing.” 

Wide format technology manufacturer Durst has responded to a lack of suitable protective masks for industrial work by converting the demo centre at its Brixen headquarters in South Tyrol, Italy to industrial mask production.

The Japanese government will invest up to two billion dollars to encourage Japanese firms that manufacture products in China to move back to Japan, according to industry researcher Keypoint Intelligence. Ricoh recently moved its production print manufacturing from China to Thailand to offset US tariffs.

Outdoor advertiser oOh!media has partnered with Greater Bank to recognise local heroes including nurses, teachers and café owners across NSW for their kindness and generosity during the COVID-19 crisis. Meanwhile, ASX-listed oOh!media this week completed the retail component of a $167 million capital raising.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell is concerned by reports that many small businesses impacted by Covid-19 may not be applying for the JobKeeper payment because they can’t pay staff by April 30. "It’s especially critical that small businesses that are struggling to pay their rent apply for the JobKeeper payment for their staff."

The FTSE (or ‘Footsie – London’s Financial Times Stock Exchange index) has again included Epson in its 2020 FTSE4Good index, which measures corporations’ performance in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.

JDA Printrecruit’s Chris Gander (Vic/SA) and James Cryer (NSW/Qld) are taking pro-active steps for the inevitable recovery in the print industry, job market and economy in general.

As NZ nears downgrading from Level 4 to level 3 restrictions, D&D Signs of Whangarei leads the way by example with a bulletin that is so near-perfect, we will reproduce it here in whole. We can all learn from the way D&D is operating.

The Outdoor Media Association (OMA) is supporting this year's RSL nationwide at-home Anzac Day initiative ‘Light up the dawn’  by providing digital signs throughout Australia.

The inventiveness of Australian and NZ sign industry operators is legendary and is nowhere more apparent than during this Covid-19 crisis. Channel 7 saw fit to feature Sydney’s Clarke Murphy Print (CMP) on its Weekend Sunrise show on Saturday 18^th April…and there’s more.

About 30 companies from across all states and territories have so far taken up the Australian Sign and Graphics Association’s free membership offer to all sign, graphics and print businesses. ASGA has also announced a Q&A webinar for members next week - presenters will include its business adviser and accountant.

Organisers Messe Düsseldorf issued a ‘365 days to drupa’ alert this week: “The new date of April 20 - 30, 2021 is now firmly established in the international calendar. The decision to postpone was difficult, but the only right choice for everyone involved.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the country will move out of its level four coronavirus lockdown to alert level three at 11.59pm on Monday 27 April, clearing the way for manufacturers including printing and signage companies to prepare for reopening their doors. "Great news," said Print NZ GM Ruth Cobb.

The global large format printer market is projected to grow from $US9.3 billion in 2020 to $US11.2 billion by 2025, at an annual growth rate of about 3.8 percent, according to new research. The Asia-Pacific region is forecast to grow at the highest rate during the five-year period.

Fujifilm Australia has moved its headquarters about 20 kilometres west from Old Pittwater Road, Brookvale in northern Sydney to Waterloo Road in Macquarie Park, northern Sydney. The company’s camera repair and optical device service centre remains at its existing Brookvale location and all service booking procedures remain the same.

Big companies - including MYER, David Jones, Just Group, Sussan Group, Carlton United Brewery and CIMIC - are using the coronavirus as an excuse for slow payments and forcing many small businesses to close their doors, says Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell. 

The Minuteman Press franchise group has launched a new COVID-19 resource, the 'Bounce Back Australia' initiative to support local businesses to ' Bounce Back' from the crisis. Amongst other benefits, it provides free local business listings and COVID-19 Safety Posters. Started by a caring Nashville, USA Minuteman franchisee, it's now going global.

EasyCut, a leading global developer of sign-making software programs, has released the new EasyCut Pro 5.1.02, the 32-bit and 64-bit vinyl cutting software for Windows and macOS, with a range of new features. 

“It will be good to have our industry back in business,” says PrintNZ general manager Ruth Cobb. "An announcement will be made on Monday about whether we move to Level 3...and If it goes ahead businesses that can re-open will have 48 hours to have the right protocols in place for safe operation.”

ASGA has issued a free 5-page Q&A surrounding the Federal Government's JobKeeper programme, compiled by legal advisors Hicksons. It is free to members and membership for new subscribers is free until end of 2020.