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Employers group the Print and Visual Communications Association (PVCA) has introduced video conferencing options to help support members navigating the rapidly evolving effects of the coronavirus pandemic. “The short story is: with excellent software, and the addition of video-conferencing options, we are and will remain fully working,” says Andrew Macaulay, CEO PVCA.

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Print businesses including Mimaki, HP and software developer CHILI publish are stepping up efforts to connect with customers online through virtual trade shows, meetings and webinars after the postponements of global print expos drupa and FESPA due to the coronavirus.

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The drupa trade fair scheduled for 16-26 June 2020 has been postponed to 20-30 April 2021, following the recommendation of the crisis management team of the German Federal Government. “Based on this recommendation and the recent significant increase in the number of people infected with the new corona virus (SARS-CoV-2), including in Europe, Messe Düsseldorf has reassessed the situation,” say the organisers. “In addition, there is the general ruling issued by the city of Düsseldorf on 11 March 2020, in which major events with more than 1,000 participants present at the same time are generally prohibited.”

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3M has certified Canon’s Colorado 1650 printer and its UVgel 460 ink with the 3M Performance Guarantee. Canon has worked closely with 3M on securing the quality and performance of UVgel prints on a broad range of 3M media.

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Graphic films manufacturer ORAFOL has opened a new division called Advanced Polymer Films. “The new division adds a whole new product line to the existing offering,” says the company, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of self-adhesive graphic films, reflective materials and adhesive tape systems.

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Outdoor advertiser oOh!media, owner of wide format business Cactus Imaging, has withdrawn its FY20 earnings guidance as it assesses the “potential financial implications” of COVID-19. 

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Supplier Ricky Richards has added two new products to its extensive range of technical textiles and fabrics - Mercury PET satin film and PP Display Film.

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Xerox says it’s postponing activities related to its $US35 billion hostile takeover bid for HP because of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this month, HP rejected the increased offer, saying it undervalued the company.

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As creditors await the administrator Cor Cordis' report on the administration of Skope Group Pty Ltd and affiliated companies; news has arrived that Skope Group Holdings Pty Ltd, ACN: 635823326, is now also under administration, from 12th March.

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Mactac adds two signage ranges to its MACal portfolio - MACal 9800 Cast, a high performance polymeric stabilised cast film, and MACal 8300 Pro, a durable promotional film.

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News to hand indicates that Signage, Shop fit-out and cladding firm, the Skope Group of companies which was placed into administration last week by Cor Cordis, has not fulfilled its DOCA terms from the last administration it was connected with, and may well be planning another phoenix-like operation. Here’s what we know so far.

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Mimaki Engineering has released the new UJV100-160, a roll to roll UV-curable inkjet printer – maximum width 162cm/ 63” - available in limited areas from March 2020. There’s no word yet from Mimaki Australia on local availability.

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Avery Dennison brand Mactac, a leading European-based manufacturer of graphic products for print and sign businesses, has named Graphic Art Mart as its exclusive distributor for Australia. 

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Euro Poles MD Peter Wagener is coordinating the textiles workshop, in conjunction with fellow Visual Impact exhibitors EFI, Roland DG, Pozitive, Aeronaut and Elizabeth Machines. “Our aim is to fire the imagination of Visual Impact visitors and demonstrate just how things are done – what the processes are, how it all fits together.”

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Following the postponement of the Shanghai APPPexpo, the organisers have re-scheduled the show from February to July, a good sign that recovery from the Coronavirus/COVID19 effect is anticipated. Here is the company announcement.

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The Outdoor Media Association (OMA) has chosen the ‘First Nations’ campaign by NRMA Insurance – produced by wide format printer Cactus Imaging for oOh!media - as its Creative Collection Grand Prix winner for 2019. Omnigraphics and Grand Print Services were also awarded.

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Canon USA’s new eService cost-per-use program allows remote monitoring of customer usage and service-related data from imagePROGRAF, PRO Series, TX Series, TM Series and legacy printers. It's a US-only initiative so far. A spokesperson for Canon Australia told Wide Format Online: "We are investigating but not sure at this stage when we will introduce this here."

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Dr. David Cooke has resigned from Konica Minolta Australia after almost 15 years, including seven years as chairman and managing director. Konica Minolta has appointed Yohei Konaka from its head office in Japan as the new managing director. Cooke will remain at the company until mid-July to see out the Japanese financial year and facilitate a smooth transition.

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HP has rejected an increased $35 billion takeover offer from Xerox Holdings, saying it undervalues the company and is not in the best interests of shareholders. The offer showed Xerox’s “desperation…to address its continued business decline," said HP's board, adding: “Xerox does not have experience operating businesses in the sectors in which HP operates, including within Personal Systems, Home Printing, and 3D and Digital Manufacturing.”

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Prytec Solutions will showcase the new PLS-F1515 1kW Fibre Laser cutter at its first Open Day event for 2020 at headquarters in Deer Park, Melbourne later this month.

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SA International (SAi) says it’s new Sidekick software is a job organisation tool that helps sign and large format print businesses to manage end-to-end production operations, from quote creation to invoicing.