Hits: 5036

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.

Hits: 3345

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.

Hits: 3060

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. 

Hits: 2490

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.”

Hits: 2560

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.

Hits: 2663

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.

Hits: 2666

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."

Hits: 3151

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.

Hits: 3540

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.”

Hits: 5773

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.

Hits: 2621

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.

Hits: 2799

 The deadline for the Printing Industry Creativity Awards (PICAs) has been extended by one week to Friday 13th March because members of the Print and Visual Communications Association (PVCA) are reporting “operational impact” caused by the coronavirus.

Hits: 3918

Canon will end a 35-year relationship with HP if Xerox succeeds in its hostile bid to take over its larger rival, according to Canon CEO and chairman Fujio Mitarai. HP is among Canon’s biggest customers, generating almost 14% of its sales.

Hits: 3145

The organisers of global print expo FESPA 2020 in Madrid have postponed the event "to a later date, precise timing and venue still to be determined," as the coronavirus continues to spread across Europe.

Hits: 2876

There are two recent changes within Mutoh Australia. Russell Cavenagh has been promoted from General Manager to Managing Director, while wide format printer and application specialist Stephen Crichton, has joined Mutoh Australia in the role of Product Marketing Manager.

Hits: 5080

The collection of companies that comprise the Skope Group and affiliated companies has gone into administration with Cor Cordis' Alan Walker appointed as administrator. This is just a few months after a DOCA was implemented for their connected entity Clear Skies Pty Ltd, that promised 30 cents in the dollar to creditors within 3 years...which now looks unlikely to happen.

Hits: 3065

Xerox has filed a tender offer with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for all outstanding shares of HP Inc. - the latest move in its nine-month fight for control of its larger rival.  The move comes days after HP revealed that during talks last year between the two print giants, Xerox CEO John Visentin had suggested that HP should buy Xerox.

Hits: 3906

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.

Hits: 2712

"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."

Hits: 2856

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

Hits: 3704

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.