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Solopress signs the Menopause Workplace Pledge Shaun Holdom leaves Drytac New trading name for Granthams Graphic Technology Eska Board now available from Premier Chris Martin joins CMYUK team The Printing Charity’s Rising Stars applauded Summa becomes Brett Martin approved partner BCF creates online history resource Innotech ebook tackles sustainability in large-format print New Elizabeth Line gets first 12-sheet Halo Media Panels Color-Logic partners Taktiful ArtSystems makes senior promotions YPS makes new appointments UPM Kymmene-Austria sold off Manchester Printers Group acquires Signature Printing New chairman for Picon Fastsigns Crawley partners with Crawley Pride EFI acquires Inedit Software Swedish group acquires Astley Signs Fujifilm buys inkjet systems integrator Unigraphica Fujifilm appoints Martin Fairweather as national digital
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Siegwerk receives EcoVadis Silver Medal rating Xaar commits to three year charity support programme Case studies from CMYUK, Drytac, EFI, Durst, HP
Canon Europe appoints new director
Canon Europe has appointed Mathew Faulkner to the role of EMEA director, marketing and innovation, wide-format printing group.
Faulkner - who now reports into the newly appointed European production planning, marketing and innovation senior director, Jennifer Kolloczek - also sits on the council of the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) and is chairman of its training and education subcommittee. He is also a member of the marketing steering group for the notfor-profit organisation Two Sides.
He said of his new role: “Canon has a world-class wide-format offering, from innovative large-format print technologies to the software solutions that support them, to the specialist partners we work with to help customers work smarter. I’m excited to come back into the vibrant world of wide-format print and inspire our customers with all of the creative applications and growth opportunities that are within their reach.” Faulkner has undertaken a range of marketing roles in Canon’s production print business over the last decade, including almost five years working in applications-led marketing and business development for wide-format, following two years marketing the imagePrograf portfolio.
Fespa UK Association extends waste management project
Fespa UK Association is extending its waste management scheme to provide an end-of-life print recycling option following requests from printers.
“Our new scheme gives a solution to end of campaign banner recycling. It will provide either a tube or box system that will allow the end user to take down the banners, put them in the boxes or tubes and send them directly to the recyclers. This gives Fespa UK members traceability of their substrates even after installation,” said Fespa UK MD Suzi Wilkinson.
Fespa UK has also recently launched a sustainability hub ‘Responsible Print Solutions’ - an ever-evolving site that aims to help printers become more sustainable. The association has researched all the services on the site and spoken to member printers that have used the partnered companies.
See feature in the ‘Envirornment’ section of this issue.
Imageco now carbon neutral Fespa Awards 2023 open for entry
Avery Dennison introduces new Sustainable Print portfolio products
Imageco Visual Imaging has been certified a carbon neutral printer with the internationally recognised PAS2060 standard.
MD Nathan Swinson Bullough said: “I am delighted to share this news after all the work we have done on our sustainable journey. Massive thanks to CarbonQuota for helping us. I didn’t think this was possible as we set off on our journey years ago, but after the introduction to Dominic Harris [co-founder at CarbonQuota] and the team our goals have been accelerated.
“Our carbon credits will work towards CarbonQuota Portfolio projects including: PacajaiREDD+, Brazil (Verra Project 981); Tropical Mix, Panana (Gold Standard Project 2940); and Green Infra Wind Gujarat, India (Gold Standard Project 7795).
“I’m always open to helping anyone that wants to look into becoming carbon neutral. It’s not easy but it is achievable as we have demonstrated.” Entry is now open to the Fespa Awards 2023. The closing date for entries is 25 January 2023. The shortlisted entries will be announced on 13 March and will be displayed at Fespa Global Print Expo 2023, 23 - 26 May at Messe Munich, Germany.
Fespa has added a new awards category to zone in on sustainably produced applications. This award will be judged across all categories against environmental considerations, including a reduction in the use of materials, energy and labour throughout production; whether the product can be reused or recycled; if notable attention has been paid to lifecycle analysis; and whether the entry is economically viable.
The other awards categories are: Display and POP on Paper and Board; Packaging on Paper and Board; Display and POP on Plastic; Packaging on Plastics; Posters; Serigraphies and Fine Art; Decals and Printed Labels; Wrapping; Creative Special Effects - Paper Board and Plastics; Special Effects on T-shirts, Garments and Other Textiles; Printed Garments; Roll-to-Roll Printed Textiles; Glass, Ceramic, Metal and Wood Products; Direct Printing on 3D Products; Non-Printed Signage; Functional Printing; Printeriors
There is a charge of 100 Euro per entry for Fespa members or 150 Euro per entry for non-members.
The final category is the Young Star Award, which can be entered by those aged 16 to 25 working as a vocational trainee or student. Entrants can enter this award by submitting work in any of the print related categories. There is no cost to enter the Young Star category and the prize for the winner is 1,000 Euro. In addition to the Sustainability Award, there are three further awards that all entrants are automatically considered for. The People’s Choice Award is voted for by Fespa’s online community across all categories and voting for this award will be open from 13 February 2023. The Best in Show Award and the Judges Award for Innovation are chosen by the Fespa Awards judges.
Avery Dennison has introduced various media products as part of its new Sustainable Print portfolio.
The Avery Dennison SP 1504 Easy Apply is a PVCfree digital film for automotive wraps said to provide excellent conformability and repositionability, while the Avery Dennison SP 3523 Opaque Matt is a PVCfree alternative for short-term promotional graphics.
Also, the company used Fespa to show its Organoid Natural Surfaces portfolio that includes media made from renewable materials with self-adhesive backing for application to walls and windows.
Alessandro Sacchi, product line director, graphics solutions Europe, said: “These Sustainable Portfolio materials are the result of extensive research and development. They have been developed to make sure that installers don’t have to offer second-best when transforming their own and their end users’ environmental footprint.”
EFI Fiery makes key moves
EFI’s Fiery business has acquired software company Cadlink Technology Corp which provides solutions for digital wide-format print and vehicle wraps, digital direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-to-film (DTF) printing, and digital cutting and engraving.
Ottawa, Canada-based Cadlink serves markets that require unique workflows involving different types of production devices. Its products cover design, Rip and workflow, and are sold globally through OEMs and resellers. EFI said the products, partners and channels are a natural complement to what the Fiery business delivers for its global commercial, display graphics and industrial printing customer base.
“The synergies between our two companies are tremendous and we look forward to providing customers with more world-class software and support to accelerate their adoption of digital print and imaging,” said Toby Weiss, chief operating officer, EFI Fiery. “This acquisition will directly benefit our customers and it significantly strengthens and expands our presence in growing markets.”
Meanwhile, EFI has launched a service that makes it easy for print companies to achieve Ghent PDF Output Suite 5.0 conformance certification for digital printers and presses using EFI Fiery digital front end (DFE) print servers.
Once certified, PSPs receive a digital badge to show their PDF output workflow is compliant with the PDF/X-4 standard (ISO 15930-7:2010) for use on their website etc. Certified companies also have their name and location displayed on the international Ghent Workgroup site. The service costs 380 Euro.
Print businesses that use EFI Fiery DFEs on their digital equipment for wide-format or cutsheet production can order the certification service from EFI by filling out an online form. EFI then electronically sends personalised Ghent Workgroup test forms along with a short video on how to set up their Fiery server to achieve a pass. Once they print the forms, Fiery users can take photos of their output using a smartphone and transmit the images to EFI for evaluation of each test element required for certification. EFI and the Ghent Workgroup can complete the certification within a week of receiving output photos.
1 in 5 businesses struggling to remain competitive shows new data
Time Finance research has revealed that one in five businesses are struggling to remain competitive in the wake of rising costs and UK inflation reaching a 40-year high of 9.1%.
The data also shows that 91% of UK SMEs have been forced to hike their own prices to keep up with soaring operational costs. 63% of firms were found to have increased their prices by 10% and one in five by up to 30%.
Of the businesses surveyed, ‘soaring energy and utility costs’ and the rising ‘cost of materials and stock’ ranked the two greatest threats to businesses right now.
“As inflation continues to rise at an accelerated rate, the only option businesses have to deflect the detrimental impact and continue trading, is to increase their costs. But with the interest rate now taking a hike consecutively month on month, the mountain of rising costs across the board are not sustainable for anyone. Something needs to change in order for businesses to not only survive, but create jobs, inspire innovation and continue generating wealth for our economy,” said Ed Rimmer, Time Finance CEO.
Onyx Graphics appoints new president and CEO
Onyx Graphics has appointed Matt Crawford as president and CEO, replacing Kevin Murphy who retired in July.
Crawford has worked directly with Murphy for the past ten years and has over 20 years at the company in various roles. Over the past two years Crawford has been responsible for developing and delivering Onyx products, including the company’s new subscription software. Before that he served as the Americas regional general manager and as a territory sales manager for the Central North America region.
The company has also announced that its new Onyx 22 wide-format Rip and print workflow software, previewed at Fespa Global, is now available worldwide.
The latest version introduces drag-and-drop file management and quick set automation, smart job submission from design to print, artwork placement controls for flatbed and DTG printing, and easy-touse tools for everyday automation.
Onyx 22 also provides tools for increased colour output accuracy and an all-new Onyx Color Reference Library to easily match colour for any printer. It highlights in-and-out of gamut colours and can be printed or used in Onyx software to show what colours are possible on each device and media combination.
Simpson Group takes part in Stemfest Net Zero
The Simpson Group has taken part in Stemfest Net Zero in Newcastle, where more than 3,000 young people from the region’s schools attended the event, organised by the North East Stem Hub in partnership with Newcastle United Foundation in direct response to the growing alternative energy sector in the region.
Businesses in the area were invited to deliver fun, interactive and hands-on sessions relating to their industry, specifically in response to climate change and their plans to reach Net Zero by 2030.
The face-to-face event - held at St James’ Park and the new NUCastle building - was split into five areas - climate adaptation, power and natural resources, transport, building and construction, business and industry. Simpson Group featured in the latter.
See feature in the ‘Envirornment’ section of this issue.
The Creative Retail Awards and Save The High Street have formed a partnership to promote the importance of design and display in independent retail.
Save The High Street is sponsoring the ‘Best Independent Store’ category at the 2022 awards, which span a number of disciplines including store design, surfaces, omni-channel, technology, sustainability, lighting, and more.
Save The High Street is an industry movement formed to ensure successful high streets by supporting over 25,000 local businesses. John Abbate, the retail design and visual merchandising expert on the Save The High Street advisory board, is a staunch believer that effective design and display can provide a real competitive advantage to independent retailers: “Independents are the heartbeat of our high streets. Their ability to provide a more personal touch, together with the individual look and feel of their physical space, adds character to our high streets. Many large brands often try to emulate the spirit of an independent shop, but noone can do it as authentically as the real thing. And that’s what we need more of in the retail design and display world, the real thing. To be inspired, creative and quirky - making retail fun. To offer a personal experience and become a ‘destination’ - even on a small budget. SaveTheHighStreet.org are proud to be associated with this award.”
Antony Behiels, SDEA director added: “Effective VM, design and display is imperative. When it is done correctly it will engage and attract more customers, help increase sales and give customers a reason to return to stores in the future.”
