ProPrint December 2022

Please pass on our thanks to the team for the quality and service for both prints this week. Arrived on time and in good shape which is a pleasant change from some of the jobs we have received from other places.

Kevin

I just wanted to say thank you for rushing those 2 banners through for me, I really appreciate how quickly you made that happen, pretty amazing service.

Kelly

Thank you for having this order completed so promptly, the print quality is faultless and the blind shipping is very much appreciated

Donna

The postcards were delivered to them this morning and the client is impressed bordering on disbelief. Not sure exactly how you and the team did it all so fast but thank you.

Tom

Great job on the books - client is stoked! Thanks again for suggesting the extra laminate -it really made a huge difference! Appreciate it!

James

Loving the magnetic boxes the velvet cards come in, a great way to present the card to the client.

Sarah

o Queen ^

‘CUSTOMER IS KING AT HERO PRINT’ ...AND

IT SHOWS

Sheree Young

Time for a change

What a massive year it has been in the printing industry. It has been refreshing to break free of the Covid shackles and get out and about. There have been many amazing trade shows and opportunities to network, including the ProPrint Awards. This event has evolved into a juggernaut of sorts. Gone are the days of an 80 person stand up cocktail party as this event has well and truly moved on.

It was a pleasure to work on it again, alongside my amazing colleague Carmen Ciappara. Carmen puts her heart and soul into this magazine and the awards. Many of you have ink in your blood but I’m pretty sure Carmen has ProPrint in hers. The success of the event is testament to her hard work and outstanding relationships within this industry.

After four years as the Editor of this esteemed publication, the time has come to move onto new pastures so to speak – and no Keith Ferrel, I am not moving to New Zealand although I think it would be a nice place to live! I have enjoyed many amazing highlights during my tenure.

Being accepted into the Women in Print fraternity has been wonderful and making friends with many amazing women of this industry. It has also been amazing to meet printers who after decades in the industry are as enthusiastic as ever about the creative opportunities provided by this amazing medium.

One of my highlights has been the addition of the ProPrint Awards Editor’s Choice category.

This category gave me the chance to acknowledge printers whose stories stuck in my mind. This year it was a pleasure to award this to Carlo and Deon Capogreco, the owners of Big Image Australia in South Australia. I met Deon at PacPrint (thank you Richard Lucas from HVG) and was taken with his and his father’s story of resilience after a fire destroyed his business on Boxing Day 2020.

It has been gratifying to watch the Emerging 50 category of the ProPrint Awards grow from nothing to what it is today. We had around 30 Emerging 50 nominees and the mentorship prize winner attend the event this year. Having the presence of these next gen print industry legends in the room added a certain buzz to the affair and brings a refreshing new energy to the industry.

Another never-to-be-forgotten highlight was visiting Durst and what has to be the fanciest factory on Earth and then following that up running through the halls of FESPA in the world’s most amazing city - Berlin!

Thank you to everyone who has made me so welcome in this industry from the heads of ASX-listed giants through to the mum and dad printers and all the industry suppliers out there.

You all do a great job and should be commended for it.

Keep up the good work.

Go well, Sheree

Editor

Sheree Young (02) 8586 6131 SYoung@intermedia.com.au

National Sales Manager

Carmen Ciappara 0410 582 450 carmen@proprint.com.au

Design and Production Manager

Sarah Vella sarahvelladesigns@gmail.com

Managing Director James Wells james@intermedia.com.au

Subscriptions

(02) 9660 2113 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au Subscription rate (6 issues) Australia $69.95

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ProPrint is published bi-monthly by Printer Media Group, registered in Australia ABN 47 628 473 334. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, it is a condition of distribution that the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in the publication.

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This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication.

Great moment: Deon and Carlo Capogreco of Big Image Australia with Sheree Young, Editor, ProPrint at the 2022 ProPrint Awards in Sydney.

Cactus buys first Durst P5 350 HS D4 in Southern Hemisphere

By Sheree Young

When asked why invest in the Southern Hemisphere’s first high-speed Durst P5 350 HS D4 hybrid press, Cactus Imaging’s Nigel Spicer and Keith Ferrel responded with the same reason: versatility.

Speed (708 square metres per hour in two-pass mode) was the next reason, followed by the quick changeover between roll-to-roll and flatbed (10 seconds according to Ferrel).

“We’ve been looking at flatbeds for years and years but they were printing at 20 square metres an hour and that was just a waste of time for us,” Ferrel, the general manager – operations and co-founder of Cactus Imaging, told ProPrint

“This one will do up to 700 square metres an hour but the beauty of it being a hybrid means we can print billboards, street furniture, vinyl, and a multitude of things so it is versatile and diverse in what it does. It is the first one in this part of the world too – in fact I think it is only the second one in the world.”

Prior to the arrival of this new machine

the team at Cactus have been printing and mounting onto board but with demand growing, a faster flatbed solution was required.

Spicer, the general manager of Cactus Imaging, said the latest Durst addition will open up new opportunities due to the flatbed capabilities.

“The key things for us are the versatility of it to get across to different markets and the speed and the quality,” Spicer said.

“We are now committed to it and we are very excited about it. The business is going well and we are getting a lot of support from the market so it is a good time to move.”

The other big attraction was the simple changeover method for adding the flatbed feature.

“That takes about 10 seconds. It is more wheeling the table up to it and going from

there, you don’t have to take the rolls off it at all because the table just goes over the top,” Ferrel said.

The new Durst P5 350 HS D4 utilises a double CMYK colour configuration.

For those with a Durst P5 350 HS or the 2.1 metre wide Durst P5 210 HS, it is possible to field upgrade with the double CMYK colour configuration.

Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman said, “Cactus Imaging is a true leader and pioneer in the digital wide format space and it thrills me to see Keith Ferrel and Nigel Spicer have again put themselves at the forefront with this investment.

“At Durst we are confident the speed, quality and versatility of this hybrid press will aid Cactus Imaging in its future growth plans.”

partners to ensure the physical paper is available as broadly as possible," Chessell said.

Newsprint prices have increased by up to 80 per cent due to the European energy crisis, supply chain issues and the trend of paper mills shifting production to packaging board.

By Sheree Young

After announcing plans to no longer print The Age and Australian Financial Review in Tasmania, Nine reversed the decision after backlash from newsagents.

In late October, Nine’s managing director of publishing James Chessell announced plans to no longer print the mastheads at ACM’s Rocherlea print site at Launceston due to rising paper prices.

Backlash from the Australian Lottery & Newsagent Association followed and a day later the decision was reversed.

In a statement provided to ProPrint amid the furore, Chessell confirmed the mastheads would remain in print.

"There has been positive movement on the printing of The Age and The Australian

Financial Review in Tasmania, and we are happy to confirm that the printed issues of those mastheads will continue. We are always exploring ways with our printing

Regional, community and suburban newspapers have been feeling the brunt of rising paper prices for some time.

Last year, before the federal election, the Coalition and Labor pledged between $10 million and $15 million in funding support so newspapers could continue to be printed in country areas. A further $2 million was also pledged in financial support for paper miller, Norske Skog, which operates Australia’s last papermill located at Boyer, Tasmania.

Norske Skog has also closed its paper mill in New Zealand to address capacity issues. In October 2021 the company announced additional capacity closures for 2022 and 2023, including moving to paperboard production at its mills in Bruck, Austria and Golbey, France.

Done deal: Cactus Imaging’s Nigel Spicer & Keith Ferrel with Durst Oceania MD Matt Ashman.

Printing to continue: The Age & the AFR will remain in print in Tasmania.

By Sheree Young

Over 300 guests turned out for the 2022 ProPrint Awards which were held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney on Thursday October 27.

The event celebrates the people of print with categories including the Printer 50, which represents senior leaders in print, the Emerging 50 for rising stars and the Supplier 50 for those who supply and service the industry.

A full photo gallery of the evening will be published in the February 2023 issue of ProPrint.

There are three individual awards –Industry Achievement Award, an exclusive honour for a long-term industry figure, the ProPrint Editor’s Choice and the Sustainability Prize.

Keith Ferrel, co-founder of wide format printer Cactus Imaging, won the Printer 50, previously known as the Power 50. This award is an industry judged award which is

ProPrint Awards shine as industry gathers Ricoh partners with PVCA for industry success

By Sheree Young

Ricoh and the Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA) have announced a Commercial Supply Partnership to support projects which will assist print businesses and help build further industry success.

The partnership will drive support for the next round of Power of Print seminars, now known as P.o.P Business Success seminars, as well as establish annual industry metrics which can be used to aid business decisions and press the industry’s case in government meetings.

“We have many valued suppier members, however Ricoh wanted to be part of something that was more than a logo placement,” PVCA CEO Kellie Northwood said.

audited by PKF to ensure transparency.

The Emerging 50, now in its third year, is increasingly popular with a strong contingent of nominees in attendance with many travelling to Sydney for the event. Emerging 50 nominees have around five years’ industry experience and work in any part of print. This year the Mentorship Prize, which is provided in partnership with the Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA) was won by Ball & Doggett graphic designer, Courtney Newman.

The alphabetical Supplier 50 is also relatively new and recognises those who service the sector.

The Industry Achievement Award was posthumously awarded to former PVCA president and print business owner Peter Clark, with his son Richard on hand to accept the honour.

Ball & Doggett’s Sustainability Prize was

awarded to Lithocraft, while Carlo & Deon Capogreco from South Australia’s Big Image Australia picked up the Editor’s Choice prize for their resilience in the face of immense challenge after a fire destroyed their factory on Boxing Day 2020.

After the event, a large group headed upstairs to the Blu Bar to continue the party from Level 36 of the Shangri-La.

An event which just a few years ago attracted around 80 guests at a stand-up cocktail party has evolved into a stellar industry event attracting multiple sponsors and supporters.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Platinum Sponsor – Durst Oceania Gold Sponsors – DIC, HP, OKI and Orafol

Emerging 50 Foundation Partner

– Media Super

Silver Sponsors – Ball & Doggett, Böttcher Systems, Bright Print Group, Cactus Imaging, Centrum Group, Graph-Pak, Kurz , Lamson Paragon, Pakko, Ricoh and Visual Connections

Editor’s Choice Sponsor – printIQ

Sustainability Prize sponsor – Ball & Doggett

Emerging 50 Mentorship Partner – Print & Visual Communication Association

Printer 50 auditing partner – PKF

can benefit from. We didn’t want to build a pure ‘sponsorship’ arrangement, we wanted a partnership arrangement to deliver powerful programs that will assist all of industry and provide a lasting benefit.”

Northwood says during the past 10 years, the paper, print and related services industry has been unable to access industry wide research and business owners and larger organisations have been relying on a collation of data sets that are not industry specific.

“They wanted to invest in something that built solutions and support for print businesses. This approach was valued and one that we have worked through over the recent months to reach a series of projects and ideas we can bring to the industry for our members to benefit from.”

Ricoh Australia general manager sales and marketing, Tina Economou, said Ricoh was looking for more than a sponsorship package.

“Ricoh has a firm commitment to ensuring our customers and the Australian industry is a strong one,” Economou said.

“We see our role to work with the industry association to build programs the industry

“The Annual Industry Metrics Report will provide industry and regional specific data to assist businesses assess market-share trends, sector growths, seasonal forecasting and investment decisions. It will also enable the industry association to provide accurate data to government on industry issues, including apprenticeships, industry employment, skills and training,” she said.

PVCA president Matt Aitken welcomed the partnership with Ricoh.

“The initiative shown from a supply member to want to stand with the industry as a partner is valued and cognisant of the important fact that our industry is facing challenges and working together as one is the best way to achieve a strong future for all,” Aitken said.

Printer 50 Top Ten at the 2022 ProPrint Awards.

Print & Visual Communication CEO Kellie Northwood.

FESPA Australia names its 2022 Future Leaders

By Hafizah Osman

A dozen talented individuals graduated recently from the first-ever FESPA Future Leaders program.

The 12 graduates are: Glen Moffatt from Cactus Imaging, Troy Cavanagh and Luke Parisella from Imagebox Group, Chloe Ma from Bannercity and Sign Solutions, Stella Lim from Hexis Australia, Pranil Chandra from Next Printing, Joshua Beveridge from Starleaton, Aaron Grigg from Blair Signs & Print, Jodi Taylor from PSI Screenprinting, Daniel Edwards from Posterboy Printing, Bianca Martin from IVE Group and Glen Mackellin from HVG.

Held over two days, FESPA Australia hosted a diverse cohort of emerging leaders from all parts of our industry, from garment decoration and signage to commercial print, suppliers and print service providers.

These people had expressed a clear leadership ambition, a history of investing in themselves and others, and a commitment to work towards a better industry.

At stake was an all expenses-paid trip to FESPA Munich for one of the emerging

Printers celebrate at Real Media Awards

By Sheree Young

Printers from a range of specialty areas came together for this year’s Real Media Awards which were held in Melbourne on Friday October 28 in the Sovereign Room at the MCEC.

Categories included letterbox marketing, publishing, direct mail, point of sale, print marketing, excellence in craft and more.

“The Real Media Awards is an example of the industry coming together, brands, agencies, retailers, printers, publishers, and distributors celebrating the work they create in partnership with their customers to drive efficacy across the impressive and results-driven media channels we represent – namely print media channels. The Real Media Awards are a testament to this success and a great reflection of our

leaders to act as spokesperson for the group to the 37 National Associations that make up the FESPA Community.

FESPA Australia president Nigel Davies said, “the pandemic challenged many leaders, including myself, so we wanted future leaders to be better prepared. The program had to be tailored to our industry and combine cutting-edge leadership coaching with insights from industry veterans. The quality of facilitation was the key; otherwise, it would be just like any other leadership program”.

The cohort voted Troy Cavanagh of ImageBox Group to be their spokesman and FESPA Future Leader.

“It was a very humbling experience to be selected by industry peers to be the FESPA Future Leader of 2022, and head to FESPA Munich 2023 to represent them all. What a great experience,” Cavanagh said.

Imago managing director, Carl Harman, facilitated the FESPA Future Leaders program. He has worked with and coached the senior and executive teams and boards of many prominent corporate and government organisations internationally.

Upon delivering the program, Harman said, “I have worked with countless groups from a myriad of industries and this week was a career highlight.”

The FESPA Future Leaders program was made possible through the generous support of diamond sponsor Orafol, gold sponsors Ball & Doggett, Durst, Starleaton, Visual Connections, silver sponsors Kissel + Wolf, M-Power Software, Cactus Imaging, and bronze sponsors HVG and Ricky Richards.

The Glen Crerar Memorial Training Scholarship will support the FESPA Future Leader to represent FESPA Australia in Europe in 2023.

Collective philosophy,” said Kellie Northwood, Chief Executive Officer, Print & Visual Communication Association.

IVE dominated in the direct mail, print, catalogue and publishing categories, being winners and finalists in 44 categories for printing, and 39 for distribution.

Commercial printers also staked their claim to craftsmanship with Rawson Print & Packaging Company, Conversify, MCC Labels, Hero Print, Genii, Adams Print, Print & Sign Co, SEED Print Group, Blueprint Australia, Quality Print,

Spectrum Print, and Southern Impact all recognized for their excellence in quality, craft and execution.

Steve Maidens, Chief Sales Officer, IVE, said it was an honour to receive such a wide variety of recognition and success from their printing and distribution jobs over the past two years.

“Thank you to everyone from IVE for their hard work, to all of our clients, and to the Real Media Awards team for putting this event together and celebrating our industry,” Maidens said.

The 2022 FESPA Australia Future Leaders.

L-R: Kevin Pidgeon, Lithocraft; Simon Carmody, Spot Productions; Ben Eaton, Starleaton; Mark Moro, Ricoh; Kellie Northwood, PVCA; Rodney Frost, The Lamson Group; Tina Economou, Ricoh; Matt Aitken, IVE; Mitch Mulligan, Böttcher and Nick Tuit, Kwik Kopy.

Debrief

Recapping the major developments since your last issue. Stories are breaking every day at www.sprinter.com.au

FESPA’s technical lead Graeme RichardsonLocke says the 2023 Census will be bigger

and more inclusive than its predecessors.

The Census is open until the end of 2022 and can be found by visiting www.fespa.com.

“As a federation, this is a great opportunity for FESPA to hear from members about the industry’s direction of travel, the levels of market optimism, how customer demands are shifting the product mix, what the hot products are, where the areas of market growth are, the effects of huge growth in the disruption of digital print in the textile marketplace, the digitalisation in packaging, print on demand, shortrun corrugated packaging and so on,” he said.

The Outdoor Media Association (OMA) has announced that CEO Charmaine Moldrich will be stepping down in June 2023.

Moldrich joined OMA in 2010 and brought 30 years of marketing experience from a variety of sectors including media, the arts, higher education, and government.

During her time with OMA, she became an integral part of the out of home industry’s growth in a rapidly changing, technology driven world.

A key achievement was the launch of MOVE (Measurement of Outdoor Visibility and Exposure), an Australianfirst platform which delivers accurate industry-wide OOH audience measurement data.

She is also credited with building the credibility, visibility and impact of the association which now represents close to 100 per cent of the OOH market in Australia.

Avon Graphics has acquired historic Melbourne foil stamping and embossing specialist, Lorimier, in a move which brings together 200 years of finishing excellence under one brand.

All Lorimier staff have now joined the Avon Graphics team, including Lorimier owner, Peter Johnston, who is staying on into 2023 to ensure a smooth transition.

“We both felt that the time is right for further rationalisation in the trade supply marketplace, and that provided a sound basis for productive discussions which resulted very quickly in a deal which was acceptable to both parties,” Avon Graphics managing director Tate Hone (pictured) said.

“Avon intends to continue operations from Lorimier’s Heidelberg West location, in addition to our own manufacturing facility in Rowville."

Durst Group and Vanguard Digital Printing Systems collectively won seven Printing United Alliance 2022 Pinnacle Product Awards.

Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman said, “We are very proud that we have managed to achieve these great accolades which further prove the quality and reliability offered by our innovative and superior quality products," Ashman said.

Durst’s P5 TEX iSUB won the Roll-toRoll Direct Disperse Ink on Textile category, while Durst’s Delta SPC 130 was recognised for its latest generation single-pass printing system for the corrugated industry.

Vanguard Digital Printing Systems, owned by Durst, also did well picking up five awards in total across its range of flatbed printers.

Epson has launched a new national B2B campaign to highlight the sustainability benefits of its Heat-Free Inkjet Technology.

The Taking Sustainability Seriously campaign aired on Sky News, 7Plus, 9Now, 10play and SBS On Demand channels, online and on LinkedIn.

Epson Australia’s senior marketing communications manager, Priscilla Dickason described it as the most significant B2B campaigns ever undertaken by Epson in Australia.

“Whether it’s government, consumers or business sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a must do. We are very happy to be working with (creative agencies) Orchard and Kaimera, as they both bring clever creative and strategic expertise to the table,” Dickason said. “We are also very much looking forward to the campaign’s success and to be working in partnership with both agencies."

6 OCTOBER - Moldrich calls time at OMA

6 OCTOBER - Durst’s Pinnacle Awards

11 OCTOBER - Epson’s new campaign

4 OCTOBER - FESPA Census more inclusive

1 OCTOBER - Avon Graphics acquires Lorimier

AllKotes has given its screen department a boost with the installation of an upgraded and highly automated screen machine.

AllKotes general manager Darren Delaney (pictured above on right with operations manager Pino Diblasi) said the machine was sourced through a long-term supplier and will increase capacity and speed-to-market while ensuring high quality standards are met. “With great excitement, AllKotes has just commissioned a new state of the art automated screen machine with all the bells and whistles. This long anticipated installation adds more fire power and speed to our screen department," Delaney said.

The new kit has a minimum sheet size of SRA3 up to A1 and is set to increase operational capacity. Delaney says AllKotes’ customers can be assured the company is providing the very latest in technology and quality.

Heidelberg’s chief financial officer, Marcus Wassenberg, is leaving the company next April to join the board of another industrial company.

Until Wassenberg’s departure he will continue to work with the Supervisory Board and Heidelberg’s CEO Ludwig Monz.

"Over the past three years, Marcus Wassenberg has done effective work both in restructuring the company and in driving forward the transformation,” Dr Martin Sonnenschein, chairman of the Supervisory Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, said.

“His imminent departure is also an expression of the milestones achieved, the financial successes achieved and the regained future viability of Heidelberg. We thank him for his important contributions."

EFI showcased a wide portfolio of solutions including production LED inkjet, dye-sublimation inkjet, and digital front end and workflow offerings which are designed to give signage and display businesses a competitive edge at this year’s Printing United. Ken Hanulec, EFI vice president of worldwide marketing, said, “EFI’s leading edge portfolio at Printing United is a great example of our unwavering commitment to providing customers with the best innovation advantage in display graphics and industrial inkjet printing.

"We continue to drive our customers’ growth in these spaces with the right products to help them earn more margin in more applications and stay ahead of the game in terms of capability, efficiency, versatility and sustainability.”

The VUTEk FabriVu 340i+ printer with inline fixation, was also featured on the stand.

Mesh Direct successfully wrapped eight 180kg panels of mesh around scaffolding on the façade of the Woolworths building which sits on one of Sydney’s busiest intersections in the CBD. The mesh was printed with an artwork which pays homage to traditional Indigenous navigation and land management and was designed by 25-year-old Kungarakan graphic designer, Toby Bishop.

Mesh Direct director Andrew Doenicke said, “This job rode a Covid wave as well as unprecedented rain and floods. Then, once installed, we notched winds up to 120km per hour, really challenging the integrity of the product at almost 180kg per panel. The foot traffic through Sydney meant the installation had to be completed between 10pm and 6am each day. At over 3500sqm in size, safety was certainly our biggest challenge but one we faced head-on with success.”

Prima Printing is buying 100% of the share capital of PMI Imageworks in a move that will unite two successful print-on-demand businesses.

Following the transaction, the two businesses will continue to operate independently through each business’ peak trading season of 2022, but with greater collaboration and co-operation.

Prima Printing is part of the District Photo Inc. group of companies based in Maryland, USA. Melbourne-based PMI Imageworks started in 2012 and has a broader range of products than Prima and more variability within its product range.

Prima Printing managing director Amnon Judah (pictured) said, “The strategic acquisition will enhance the capabilities for both businesses to cross-sell to our combined clients and provide the basis for further investment in infrastructure to remain at the leading edge of automation and efficiency.”

Currie Group is the exclusive distributor of HP Indigo in Australia & New Zealand.

HP Indigo general manager Noam Zilbershtain (pictured) said, “As the market leader, HP Indigo is always one step ahead of the game, inspiring and enabling customers and brands to Dare to Imagine.”

Since launching two years ago, over 120 HP Indigo 100K digital presses have been installed in the field, with HP Indigo saying it is leading the offset conversion transformation by enabling improved productivity and efficiency for print service providers.

HP used Printing United to showcase its upgraded HP Indigo 100K Digital Press alongside the HP Indigo 15K Digital Press and the HP Indigo 6K Digital Press.

13 OCTOBER - AllKotes’ new kit

20 OCTOBER - Mesh Direct wraps Sydney building

25 OCTOBER - Heidelberg’s CFO moves to new role

1 NOVEMBER - Prima buys PMI Imageworks

2 NOVEMBER - EFI’s expanded portfolio

3 NOVEMBER - HP Indigo at Printing United

What to expect as we head into 2023

CASH FLOW

Client experiences during the 2008/2009 GFC evidenced that taking care of cashflow makes a difference between getting a little muddy or taking a permanent bath. During depressed economic conditions, with increasing inflation and interest rates, consumers spend less and may delay expenditure and making payments. Businesses should work on strategies to keep the cash flow moving when things get tight. A review of your pricing, payment terms, prompt invoicing, and ongoing reviews of expenditure and outgoings will best place your business for leaner times. Talk to your advisers, or if you run a smaller business there is a lot of assistance available. I strongly recommend checking out the resources and assistance that can be provided by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

HEALTH

Domestically it’s been a year of increasing inflation, increasing interest rates, increasing debt levels, increasing power costs, low unemployment rates and labour shortages across all industries.

From a global perspective, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in continuing international supply issues, and China’s economy, one of our biggest trading partners, continues to slow with only moderate growth forecast for 2023.

All these factors have resulted in a downgraded economic outlook for Australia in 2023. Although current forecasts are that the Australian economy will likely fare better than many other global economies, the year ahead is not going to be easy. There will be growth in the year ahead, although expectations need to be tempered. Resilient business owners in our industry have been through it all before and know that this too shall pass. Nonetheless, there are strategies businesses can apply to ensure ongoing movement continues.

INVEST IN YOUR WORKFORCE

Given the current labour shortages, retaining skilled and talented employees is as important as ever. Although economic rewards are often the first thought employers have, investing in workforce development is one of the best retention methods an employer can apply.

Some employers are hesitant to provide greater training to employees for fear they will leave, however that view is generally incorrect.

As a result, consider the ‘make, not buy’ approach to ensure you have the appropriate skill levels and breadth within your workforce. Cross-training employees or seeking out internal training opportunities to advance employees within the business can be one of the best investments you can make. Additionally, promote the idea of your employees undertaking further studies and support them to do so. Career and skill development are a good idea at any time. Formal training is an option, but there are a lot of free or low cost micro credential courses available through various online providers.

MARKETING

Some businesses virtually stop their marketing activities during periods of downturn. Marketing expenditures in areas from communications to research are often cut across the board, however such indiscriminate cost cutting is a mistake. Well managed marketing during slower periods is proven to have a beneficial effect for businesses. Those businesses that carefully and methodically kept up their marketing, and love up their existing client base more than ever, are better placed to keep their existing customers and even increase their market share.

One thing the last couple of years has taught us, and should not be forgotten, is that our health is closely linked to our ability to withstand harder times. Health is not just the physical, but includes mental health as well. To quote Man Anchor founder and one of the best people I know, Steve Gamble, “health is health”. Promoting health within your workforce and the workplace generally, including within yourselves, will bring about beneficial results.

A healthier workforce lifts productivity, reduces absenteeism, and statistically reduces employee turnover. You don’t have to put a ping-pong table in the lunchroom or set up an at work gym, but there are a range of options and initiatives businesses can consider implementing. Involve your employees in developing these strategies, but make sure to keep it high-level or via anonymous feedback so as not to cross any personal or privacy boundaries.

GOVERNMENT

We are already seeing the effects from the previous governments attempt to home construct our way out of pandemic recessionary conditions which, due to that industry’s limited capacity, has only worsened inflation figures. Although the current government’s October ‘minibudget’ was fiscally responsible, we should expect to see more interesting outcomes in the full budget in May. Given the economic conditions we are experiencing, we need to continue to hold government to account for their decisions.

Charles Watson GM – IR, Policy and Governance PVCA

The Real Media Collective’s IR expert Charles Watson reviews economic expectations and possible business strategies for the year ahead.

It has been a challenging year but what does 2023 hold?

The new blueprint for wide format

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Visit acuityprimeseries.com for more information or contact your local FUJIFILM representative to request print samples and organise a demonstration.

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staff?

Mick has spent the past decade building printIQ into one of the most recognised software brands in the printing industry, and with over four decades of experience, Mick truly has ink in his veins.

With relatively small, isolated populations, New Zealand and Australia fared well in the pandemic compared to the rest of the world. We shared an ability to keep the virus at bay; however, it came at the cost of a massive hit to our economies. And we now face a significant labour shortage due to the reduction of our immigrant workforce by Covid-related health and travel restrictions.

It probably won’t come as a surprise, but the cost of hiring staff has skyrocketed (along with electricity, gas, petrol, food, interest rates, alas, the list seems endless). According to a new survey by the Australian HR Institute in partnership with Elmo Software, it takes 50 days to make a new hire in New Zealand and 40 days in Australia. While the Society for Human Resource Management has estimated the replacement cost of a mid-level employee is 20 per cent of the departing employee’s wage.

When there’s cost pressure from all sides, it’s no wonder that many companies struggle with maintaining margins. So, the last thing we want is to be burdened with the search for new employees to cover the loss of existing staff. Perhaps the first step we implement is to ensure we find ways of retaining our already established staff.

The high cost of disengaged staff is clear to see. The lack of productivity and engagement can lead to higher absenteeism rates, greater human error, and potential safety incidents. Whereas engaged employees are more likely to make positive contributions and take better care of the company, they work for. But the benefits are more than just a better bottom line. Engaged teams also experience less turnover than their disengaged counterparts, which means you’ll have happier staff and longer careers in your organisation!

Motivating employees today might seem a little more involved than what was once considered the norm. And it takes more than just remuneration and staff perks. Like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, employees have an order of engagement. It

spans from the bottom, where employees are disengaged and work for a salary and nothing more, to the top, where they are engaged, motivated and ambitious.

Essentially, at the bottom are the basic needs of pay and benefits, followed by development opportunities and the potential for promotion. Next comes respect, or more specifically, do they feel respected in their role. At the top and above all else, people desire a shared sense of connection and meaning at work.

Social belonging is hardwired into our DNA, a fundamental human need. And yet, according to the Harvard Business Review’s ‘The Value of Belonging at Work’, 40 per cent of people say they feel isolated at work. The result of this is lower organisational commitment.

It’s no longer enough to have a great company culture; you need one that encourages growth. The best way of doing this is by aligning your employees with the goals and objectives outlined in their job descriptions. Hence, they feel valued for who they are while also achieving together what no single individual can accomplish alone. It takes everyone working towards something!

According to John J. Murphy, author of ‘Pulling Together: 10 Rules for HighPerformance Teamwork’: “Each individual

has unique gifts, talents, and skills. When we bring them to the table and share them for a common purpose, it can give companies a real competitive advantage.”

A recent survey of over 1000 Atlassian employees demonstrated that most successful teams engage in honest feedback and take ownership of learning from their mistakes. Likewise, feeling respected is one of the biggest drivers of emotional health.

Having happy employees is a worthwhile goal, but the company benefits, too. Research from the University of Warwick in England suggests happy employees are up to 20 per cent more productive than unhappy employees.

So, a combination of; good leadership, development opportunities, and the chance to contribute to a meaningful vision is essential when motivating employees. If your staff feel like they belong, there’ll be fewer sick days, better performance, and lower turnover.

Your staff are your most important asset; without them, your business would not be where it is today. Make sure to treat them well, show them appreciation and give them a sense of belonging within the company. If you take this small step, you’ll have a happy, loyal, and productive team. And who doesn’t want that?

Investing in your workforce is one of the key strategies for retaining staff.

already-established

Remaining focused on the long-term as global factors impact short-term returns

The financial year 2022 saw investment returns across the superannuation industry impacted by a range of global factors. Rising inflation has seen the Reserve Bank of Australia and central banks overseas raise interest rates, the Russia/Ukraine crisis has impacted energy, gas and commodity markets, and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has put further pressure on global supply chains. Combined, these events have increased market volatility and affected short-term investment returns across a wide range of investments and asset classes.

MEDIA SUPER PERFORMANCE

Media Super is the industry super fund for print, media, entertainment and arts, and

broader creative industries. For more than 30 years we’ve been supporting our members, employers and our community of industries.

Our robust investment approach and highly diversified portfolios have enabled Media Super to deliver strong long-term outcomes for our members. This equates to an average annual return of 8.88% p.a.* for the Growth (MySuper) option since its inception 38 years ago.

Our Growth (MySuper) investment option has approximately half its assets invested in listed share markets including Australian shares, global shares and emerging market shares. Movements of share markets tend

to be the largest driver of short-term investment performance. Although share markets can have short-term price volatility, they are expected to deliver strong positive returns over longer time periods which is why they make up a larger allocation of the portfolio.

Despite lower short-term returns, our options have delivered strong long-term outcomes for members, which is what super is designed to deliver.

Read more about Media Super investment performance at https://www.mediasuper. com.au/blog/news/remain-focused-onthe-long-term.

It takes more than just motivation to succeed; that's why we're here

We specialise in helping businesses, not-for-profits, and start-ups create a compelling vision, brand identity, and value proposition so powerful that people can't help but become die hard fans!

But we don't just provide solutions; we empower people to find them themselves. Our goal is to help organisations see things from a different perspective so they can decide what comes next on the journey towards success!

A product or service? No, it's an experience!

T H I N K L A T E R A L L Y C O M A U

Carbon8 upgrades HP Indigo 12000

By Sheree Young

The premise of Australia’s most awarded digital printer, Carbon8, has always been about taking the thought bubbles of the most creative marketing and design geniuses and turning these ideas into a ‘in real life’ printed reality.

To ensure Carbon8 remains at the forefront when it comes to producing high quality, beautiful and unforgettable printed products, co-owners Kenneth BeckPedersen and Peter Musarra have upgraded their HP Indigo 12000 to bring it in line with the technical capabilities of the new HP Indigo 15K Digital Press.

The upgrade, which was conducted on site and resulted in minimal downtime, included the installation of HP’s revolutionary HD Imaging System writing heads and workflow solution software to increase print quality and productivity.

When talking about quality, HP Indigo’s world renowned LEP technology, which has already been adopted by millions of customers and brands, needs no

introduction. Each press presents a true offset look and feel as the ink layers accurately replicate the gloss and texture of the media which allows for these special characteristics to be retained. But this is not all – the HP Indigo 15K Digital Press has boosted quality even further now thanks to HP’s HD technology.

The addition of HD technology doubles addressability from 800 to 1600 dpi which improves the accuracy of dot placement while also reducing dot size by 30 per cent which boosts resolution.

This feature allows for the use of a new set of HD screens which deliver smoother imagery and enhanced detail reproduction from 175 lines per inch up to 290 line per inch. This also dramatically improves image addressability and allows for higher levels of smoothness when it comes to reproducing skin tones, skies, tints and composite grays.

Another drawcard of the 15K Value Pack is the addition of Premium White ink and the

Thick Substrate Kit. The addition of the Thick Substrate Kit means the press can print on stocks up to 600 microns which opens the door to opportunities in the folding carton segment.

The upgrade is part of a broader strategy to keep Carbon8 at the forefront when it comes to challenging offset to produce high quality, creative digitally printed products for high-end customers, many of which are marketers, real estate companies, property developers and book publishers.

It also deepens Carbon8’s connection with HP Indigo technology and Currie Group, the exclusive distributor of HP Indigo technology in Australia and New Zealand.

Carbon8’s alignment with Currie Group and HP began in the early 2000s when Kenneth and Peter’s love affair with HP Indigo started with the purchase of a second hand 3050 in 2007. A new A3-sized HP Indigo 7900 Digital Press followed and then in 2019, they became the first printer in NSW to install a B2-sized HP Indigo 12000 Digital Press.

Kenneth and Peter equate this strategic move – alongside Carbon8’s ability to go above and beyond when it comes to delivering for clients no matter the brief –as to why the Sydney printer is now the ‘go-to’ for a broad range of high-end discerning clients.

A literal Carbon8 gold rush at this year’s National Print Awards is a case in point. Carbon8 won five gold medals including Digital Printer of the Year for the magnificent book ‘Dive – The Magic of the Solomon Islands’ and two silver medals at the awards. Notably, all but one of the gold medal winning works was printed on the HP Indigo 12000.

REDUCING LABOUR COSTS

As all printers know, labour costs are a substantial part of the cost of running a business.

Since installing the HP Indigo 12000, Kenneth and Peter have noticed a significant reduction in Carbon8’s monthly wage bill.

The key contributing factor in this reduction is the increased productivity

Carbon8 carries a big reputation for quality and creativity and a recent offset-matching upgrade to the multi-award winning Sydney digital printer’s B2-sized HP Indigo will ensure it will stay ahead of the game.

Carbon8

directors Peter Musarra and Kenneth Beck-Pedersen with the recently upgraded HP Indigo 12000 Digital Press with HD & 15K Value Pack.

of the HP Indigo has allowed the Carbon8 team to produce required work in a more timely and efficient manner, meaning no more weekend and after-hours overtime pay.

“It is huge,” Kenneth said of the labour cost savings.

“Prior to its installation we were running two A3 sized presses and we would run them constantly, all hours and weekends and that has a large labour cost.

“As soon as we got the B2 HP Indigo we were far more productive. We were able to get work done more safely during normal hours and when large work would suddenly turn up we were more confident about being able to output that in normal working hours without any reprints, so yes, the productivity benefits are huge.”

EFFICIENCIES DOUBLED

During a recent tour of Carbon8’s 1500-square metre headquarters in Sydney’s Marrickville, Kenneth said efficiencies have doubled since the

HP Indigo 12000 was installed, adding this is pivotal to Carbon8’s business growth.

“The reliability of it is next level compared to any other digital printing press we’ve had before and the larger B2 sheet size means we can do bigger things, it is just so versatile,” Kenneth said.

“It has allowed us to break into some markets that we weren’t able to compete with previously because having the smaller sheet size meant we couldn’t produce the jobs efficiently.”

The addition of the HP Indigo 12000 has also allowed Carbon8 to scale up mainly through a 50 per cent capacity increase due to the productivity gains offered by the larger B2 sheet size.

The ability to provide an even higher quality print has also been instrumental in further answering client demand, while the addition of labels and packaging in the offer has resulted in being able to tap into new markets.

“The efficiency we can achieve through the B2 is unparalleled. The amount of sheet work and jobs that we can produce on it is exponentially larger than what we produced on our smaller formats,” Kenneth said.

OPTING FOR HD

Musarra said upgrading the HP Indigo 12000 with a new HD writing head was a no-brainer.

Now with the upgrade complete, the press can easily meet quality benchmarks set by traditional offset printing, opening the door to printing high-quality variable data, QR codes and fine anticounterfeit measures.

“We had to go for the HD writing head. Carbon8 always supply the highest standard and we need the best available technology. We compete with offset regularly and the purists out there have now found that the HD writing head is now even better than offset,” Musarra said.

He said it has now reached a point where clients are asking for their work to be produced on the HP Indigo, particularly for clients looking for impeccable photographic image reproduction.

“It just has that flawless reproduction of imagery that our clients swoon over,” Musarra said.

“We work in the high-end marketing space and the reproduction of photography means that they expect the highest levels of detail. There was just no question about upgrading to the HD writing head. Our productivity goes up because we now have an even more reliable production system.”

For more information about HP Indigo, please visit: https://www.curriegroup.com.au/

Some examples of Carbon8’s recent work which was recognised at the 2022 National Print Awards.

Another example of the special finishing options available at Carbon8.

2022 ProPrint Awards Platinum Sponsor

Matt Ashman

Matt Ashman, managing director, Durst Oceania

I am extremely proud to be the Platinum Sponsor of the ProPrint Awards. The ProPrint Awards are all about celebrating and recognising the people who make this industry the amazing, creative and innovative sector that it is.

At Durst, we value people and that is what the ProPrint Awards are all about – people. It gave me great pleasure to see so many of the industry come together for this year’s ProPrint Awards at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney on October 27.

Durst is a family-owned business and we see supporting events such as the ProPrint Awards as a unique and rich opportunity to celebrate the people of this industry and help encourage them to continue to achieve success in the future.

Globally, Durst is committed to the highest levels of research and development to produce high quality, durable and versatile advanced digital printing technologies for the wide format, textile, packaging and label markets. Durst is also committed to streamlining business operations in the back-end and has developed a complete Durst Software EcoSystem which is all about helping you maximise business opportunities.

Automation and innovation are at our core and we look forward to continuing to help Australian printers maximise efficiencies, productivity, and profitability in the future.

Congratulations to all the 2022 ProPrint Awards winners. I wish you a happy and prosperous 2023.

A highly respected senior leader of print, Keith’s door is always open and he is happy to use his experience to help the broader industry become more successful.

Keith Ferrel co-founder, Cactus Imaging

1Keith is recognised as someone who truly loves and greatly enjoys the printing industry and all that comes with it. Three decades ago, Keith and his then New Zealand newspaper industry colleague, Warwick Spicer, threw all caution to the wind and decided to move to Sydney and start Cactus Imaging.

The pair could see a big future in digital billboard printing and they were spot on. Today, and after many twists and turns including forays into India, a private equity takeover and the eventual purchase by ASX-listed giant oOh!media, Cactus Imaging is going strong with Ferrel still very much involved as general manager – operations.

He is certainly not showing any signs of slowing down with a litany of overseas trips to various trade shows and events on his calendar. He currently sits on HP’s Asia Pacific Japan Dscoop board as well as the Fespa Australia board. He has also been a member of the HP Customer Advisory Board and the Dscoop Global Board.

Keith is also known for his generosity – not only in his time for others but also as an active supporter and sponsor of Women in Print and the ProPrint Emerging 50 Awards. Further to this, Keith is also often invited to speak at conferences around the world and is well respected as an innovator. Keith is extremely knowledgeable and is often invited to advise manufacturers on new equipment prior to release to the market.

Through Cactus Imaging, Keith is also an advocate of environmental sustainability and is a supporter of all attempts to provide sustainable products to the industry. Cactus has produced the world’s first fully recyclable billboard material and is currently working on many more opportunities to make Cactus Imaging more user friendly.

Congratulations Keith, thank you for your enduring support and we wish you all the best!

This brother and sister team are fourth generation printers and well and truly have print in their veins. They are both recognised for their commitment to their successful family business and its mission to provide high quality print and environmental standards, as evidenced through continual certification to ISO 14001 since 2008. They also support the industry more broadly through Debbie’s voluntary role as the NSW Women in Print Patron and the addition of the Twenty-20 trade bindery service. Bright Print is also a gold sponsor of the Penrith Museum of Printing. This year Bright Print Group celebrated its 60th birthday, a significant milestone in history.

Matt is recognised for leading Australia’s largest print and diversified marketing company and his role as president of the Print & Visual Communication Association. In addition, Matt is driving IVE’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) strategy with an advisory firm scoping out the company’s carbon emissions footprint. Matt has overseen multiple acquisitions recently including AFI Branding, Active Display and the NSW and WA print operations of Ovato. He is also the deputy president of the Cronulla Surf Club and supports initiatives including Man Anchor, Liptember Foundation and Nelune Foundation.

Taylor

Mitchell is recognised as a passionate member of the print industry. In addition to serving as the managing director of Böttcher Australia, Mitchell volunteers with supplier association, Visual Connections, and the Lithographic Institute of Australia, of which he became a life member this year. He has served these two organisations for 22 and 34 years respectively. Working within these organisations has given him wonderful opportunities to collaborate with various stakeholders and co-develop strategic plans and member driven mandates to strengthen the sector.

Anyone who knows Kirsten, knows she is a passionate woman who dedicates her time between her family, her own business and the wider community. As a qualified printer in her own right, Kirsten is truly ‘hands-on’ at Taylor’d Press while also representing the PVCA on the PacPrint and Visual Industries Events boards. This year she had the pleasure to be a judge in the Diemen Awards in Tasmania which provided great insight into some amazing print works. She also facilitated regular print tours at her bespoke letterpress printing operation in Melbourne for TAFE students.

Debbie Burgess & John Bright co-directors, Bright Print Group

Mitchell Mulligan recent president & board member, Visual Connections & life member, LIA

Matt Aitken

CEO, IVE Group

Kirsten

creative director, Taylor’d Press

In addition to successfully running his own family business which has included diversifying the operation with the Philippines-based Integrated OS business, Rodney is also the treasurer of the TRMC and is a member of the Joint Venture Committee which is overseeing the merger with the PVCA. These roles allowed Rodney to discuss the importance of uniting the industry with a single voice to all channel partners. Rodney is known for being generous with his time and is always happy to help industry colleagues strengthen their business with sound and considered advice.

Mel is a member services representative with Ai Group and also has served as the federal president of the LIA for over a decade. This involves helping deliver the successful Graduate Biennial Awards. Mel actively promotes the print sector on a range of committees and boards in Queensland, including the Queensland Government’s Women’s Strategy and as a member of the Council for Women in Manufacturing. She also advocates for print from a commercial stance through her role as a contributor to the Queensland Government’s procurement committee and Annual Teachers Symposium.

Peter embodies Visual Connections’ mission to contribute to a sustainable future by supporting its members and the industry through education, exhibitions, sponsorship, grants and networking opportunities. Over the past 20 years, he has worked to bring together the industry’s suppliers to amplify the member voice, strengthen representation and deliver greater value to the industry. A driving force behind the VISA and GAMAA merger, he has also worked consistently with the PVCA to increase cooperation and collaboration, resulting in the 2021 Visual Industries Events joint venture. He also oversees trade shows including PacPrint and PrintEx.

Steven has worked in the print industry for 28 years, firstly as a printer and then as national sales manager at Böttcher Australia. Over the years he also became the unofficial mental health ambassador for the industry and began working with companies to navigate the challenges of mental health through his grassroots and mental wellbeing movement, Man Anchor. Last year, Steven made Man Anchor his main gig and is now delivering programs nationally to promote mental health awareness and the importance of mental fitness both inside and outside of the industry. His key message is that “health is health” no matter what.

Rodney Frost

CEO, Lamson Group

Peter Harper CEO, Visual Connections

Mel Ireland federal president, Lithographic Institute of Australia

Steven Gamble founder, Man Anchor

In addition to running his family-business, Eckersley Print Group, Tom also promotes the print industry more broadly as a long-time member of the PVCA, which has now merged with the TRMC. He is also a board member of PacPrint, a director of PVCA Events, a board member of Visual Industries Events and represents the industry on the Standards Australia Committee. Eckersley Print Group is a leader in print and has strong environmental credentials with ISO 14001 accreditation, Sustainable Green Print Level 3 Certification and FSC Chain of Custody 005721 certification.

A committed and long-term member of the printing industry, Jenny volunteers with the LIA whilst also looking after Ai Group’s portfolio of print and packaging companies. Jenny promotes the industry as a viable and worthwhile career path for young people through in-house events which also promote a more collaborative environment for possible partnerships. The LIA has a reputation for listening to industry concerns about skills shortages and then actively works with agencies to ensure print is promoted as a career path for young people.

A key content creator for the print industry, Robyn is recognised for the important role she has played for many years to promote printers, suppliers and the industry. Robyn has put millions of words into the pages of industry publications and crafted messaging for industry leaders to further advance the sector from print tenders to government submissions. Robyn is also a committed volunteer with the Victorian branch of the LIA and is a dedicated member and supporter of the printing industry.

Geoff is proudly carrying on the tradition of his grandfather, Oscar Selig, who started what is now IVE Group in 1921. Geoff is recognised for the way he highlights IVE’s value proposition with the industry, customers and investors, a practice which ensures the company’s strong position is maintained. Diversification has been vital in IVE’s success. This year IVE acquired Active Display Group, AFI Branding and significant portions of Ovato. It also relaunched the new Lasoo digital e-commerce enabled catalogue platform this year.

Tom Eckersley managing director, Eckersley Print Group

Robyn Frampton marketing & communications manager, Visual Connections

Jenny Berry regional manager (Victoria) Ai Group & LIA Vic vice president

Geoff Selig executive chairman, IVE Group

Kellie has been a tireless defender of print for over 20 years. She has served as the CEO of The Real Media Collective for the last five years and now is at the helm of the entity formed through the merger of TRMC and the Print & Visual Communication Association. Kellie sees her role as supporting the broader industry to ensure members, future leaders, all stakeholders and industry can continue to succeed. A key part of her strategy is developing annual industry metrics which can be used to help print get a better deal in Canberra.

Nigel is a strong business leader and highly respected in the industry. Under his leadership, Cactus Imaging has continued to strengthen with new capability enhancements added. In 2022 he received the Excellence in Innovation Award from the Outdoor Media Association for the development of Australia’s first 100 per cent recyclable billboard. He is also invited to speak at various international and domestic print conferences, whilst also driving the thought-provoking ‘This Billboard Did Not Print Itself’ outdoor campaign.

Simon is recognised for running a strong business in Brisbane which over the years has gone from strength to strength prompting expansion into bigger factory spaces and regular technology upgrades. He is also a strong voice for the industry and is a board member of the Print & Visual Communication Association. Simon is known as someone happy to help others whether that be taking overflow work or providing support and advice and he also has a strong team to back him up.

Gordon is a print industry veteran and true lover of the industry. He is recognised for his passion for the mentoring support he provides to apprentices and trainees through his role with the LIA. Gordon believes apprentices are the lifeblood of the printing industry and their importance must be promoted to secure the industry’s future. His efforts are proving fruitful in SA with many strong graduates in the state. Gordon also helps organise the LIA’s Graduate of the Year program.

Kellie Northwood CEO, Print & Visual Communication Association

Simon Carmody managing director, Spot Productions

Nigel Spicer general manager, Cactus Imaging

Gordon Wilson president, Lithographic Institute of Australia (SA)

Leon’s undeniably enthusiastic approach to print and business leadership has earned him recognition this year. Now the sole owner of Revolution Print, Leon is continuing his journey to change the game when it comes to print, technology, leadership, staff development and sustainability. He has invested $100,000 in solar panelling and LED lighting and utilises equipment which generates minimal waste. He is also investing in staff development and empowers young leaders in the business to step up, make decisions and take risks.

Dayne is recognised for the high standard of service shown to CMYKhub’s 4,000-plus national trade customer base. The company diversified this year into label production with a new HP Indigo 6K Digital Press and ABG Digicon finishing line. It also expanded its foothold in wide format printing through the investment in the latest EFI technology. Dayne attributes his biggest success this year as being the implementation of a new business model which relies on local production, local relationships and centralised planning.

In 2006 Adam and Andy launched Easy Signs with four employees and one NSW location. After adopting an online sales model, the business has now grown to having 150 employees and extra locations in The Philippines and the USA. The duo have been recognised outside of print notably in the Australian Financial Review’s Fast100, Smart Company Smart50 and the AFR’s Most Innovative Australian Manufacturing Award in 2019. Easy Signs’ aim is to reduce the cost of local manufacturing to return work to Australian shores.

Leon Wilson director, Revolution Print

Adam Parnell & Andy Fryer co-directors, Easy Signs

Dayne Nankervis CEO, CMYKhub

19

Lusch general manager, Platypus Print Packaging

Aaron is recognised for his leadership of Platypus and a commitment for investing in the people and processes which make the business the success that it is. Sustainability is a key focus with the business ISO 14001 accredited and a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant. Aaron recognises that while the print industry is competitive, printers do support each other and this was never more obvious than during Covid, natural disasters and the supply chain squeeze.

Aleks Lajovic

managing director, Impact International

Aleks is recognised for his leadership on environmental sustainability, particularly with the development of a carbon offset forest which gives Impact customers the opportunity to ‘lease’ a piece of the forest to offset the printed packaging they purchase from Impact. This has created a unique selling point for Impact and a broader talking point which has raised the profile of print. This year Impact launched a new range of sustainable tubes, named Bruce.

Andrew is recognised for his commitment to raising the profile of the printing industries as a place for young people to build a career. He notes that as a communication industry, this industry does not sell itself very well as a career choice. In addition to running training programs at MCC, Andrew is also extremely active with the LIA in building strengthened connections between industry and high schools. This includes raising awareness at career expos but also through state government partnerships.

Carroll & Mandy Olivier director & general manager, UltraColour Transfers

Ben is recognised as a key innovator in the digital screen printing space, including developing a new direct-to-film technology and trialling the best consumable and hardware outcomes to help customers avoid technology pitfalls. In addition to Ben’s enthusiastic growth plans, the business has also strengthened under the solid leadership of Mandy who uses her IT background to identify opportunities for further growth. Among these has been the development of heat press masterclasses and the launch of the UltraColour brand.

Aaron

Andrew Reynolds group training officer ANZ, Multi-Color Corporation & LIA member

Ben

Charles Watson GM – IR, Policy & Governance, Print & Visual Communication Association

A long-term member of the printing industry, Charles is well known and highly regarded for his expertise in regulatory and workplace relations issues which may affect an entire industry or an individual company. Charles is recognised for using his knowledge to ensure the industry can make informed decisions and act decisively to look after their employees and move their businesses forward. He is also integral in pressing the case for print at state and federal government levels.

Cliff Brigstocke CEO – Production & Distribution, IVE Group

Cliff is recognised for his long-standing senior leadership in the industry and enduring passion for print and its ability to communicate with products that are tangible, authoritative and full of colour and life. Cliff was integral in the acquisition of Active Display Group and AFI Branding, a move which has expanded IVE’s footprint in the market. Cliff has also been involved in broadening IVE’s Environmental, Social & Governance policies which involve understanding the company’s carbon footprint.

Clinton Daley general manager, NEO

Clinton, 26, is a fourth-generation printer who recently moved from Melbourne to Sydney to increase the company’s focus on the NSW market and grow market share, particularly in the real estate sector through the company’s joint venture with RealBase. In addition to this, he has overseen Eastern Press’ merger into NEO’s operations. Clinton is recognised for his role in these changes and also the positive collaborative relationships he has established with other multi-generational businesses, including CMYKhub and Currie Group.

Hall director, Precision Group

Cory is recognised for making strategic investments which have allowed Precision Group to service segments that traditionally wouldn’t be exposed to the company. This includes acquiring a print business, two mail houses, establishing a 3PL business in Auckland and setting up a not-for-profit specialty agency. Cory is confident in the company’s value proposition with a strong team of 100 full-time staff and over 40 casuals. There are also strong professional development pathways in place for staff.

Cory

Nielsen general manager, CV Media and Signage

From work experience kid to apprentice to shareholder and general manager, Damian is recognised for his love of all things print, with a dabble in winemaking on the side. He is recognised for leading his business from a company with 13 staff and a $2 million turnover to one with 130 direct employees and annual sales turnover upwards of $38 million. Damian is focused on technology upgrades and is also the vice president and Queensland chair of the Australian Sign & Graphics Association.

Edwards founder, Posterboy Printing

Daniel is recognised for turning his love of print into his new book ‘The Power of Print –Print Marketing in a Digital World’. The book is part of a broader push for print sellers to add value to their customers and avoid slashing prices and shortening production times. Daniel contributes to Australian Printer with his columns offering unique insight into print and what it has to offer. He is also developing an education program in collaboration with Ball & Doggett and Cactus Imaging.

Scotton owner, Kwik Kopy Newcastle

Daniel is the committed owner of Kwik Kopy Newcastle and regularly upgrades equipment to stay at the top of his game. Daniel works with other Kwik Kopy owners to ensure all jobs are fulfilled and is happy to pass overflow work onto other businesses that may be more able to handle it. Daniel also sponsors local LGBTQI groups to support Newcastle’s queer community. He also offers free resume, housing application and job application printing for those who need it.

Delaney general manager, AllKotes

Darren has been a member of the print industry for 25 years and is well known and highly regarded for the support he offers all facets of the print chain. AllKotes has existed for 40 years and Darren contributes to its ongoing success as a provider of high quality coatings and finishes. Darren is also dedicated to educating the next generation and regularly runs design presentations with TAFE and private operators so trainees understand the value of specialty finishes from a design perspective.

Damian

Daniel

Darren

Daniel

Elli Zlatanovski account manager, Charters Paper

Elli has worked in print for 28 years and in that time has built up a solid reputation across the entire industry. She is recognised for striving at every opportunity to investigate how Charters Paper can improve its product range and value offer for customers. An example is the introduction of a coreless environmentally-friendly thermal roll which has strong green credentials but also benefits the end-user as it reduces waste due to the removal of the core.

Buhagiar director, Imagination Graphics

‘Budgie’ is a much-loved member of the print industry having now clocked up over 50 years in the industry. In this time, he has witnessed the highs and lows of print, and been part of the rise of digital printing, digital signage and 3D printing. In four years, Imagination Graphics has grown from having four staff to 16, an indication of its success. Budgie also supports a number of charities and this year got behind the ‘Supertee’ effort to help bring joy and laughter to sick children in hospital.

Ewen has operated Vivad for the last 22 years and utilises a range of technologies including UV cure, latex and dye sublimation printing techniques. He is recognised for providing exceptional levels of service and quality to his customers which has made wide format print more accessible and affordable while increasing the viability of offering different applications. He cites the camaraderie in the industry as one of its highlights, whether it is helping with overflow work, lending some ink or roll stock.

Fiona has been in business for 20 years and this year moved into new premises three times the size of the original one. Fiona has overseen the steady investment in new technology which has added to her production capabilities and has her eye out for related businesses to purchase to expand her client list. Covid lockdowns forced Fiona and her team to become quite inventive in helping customers through the difficult times and the results are speaking for themselves now.

Emmanuel

Ewen Donaldson director, Vivad

Fiona Johns owner, Minuteman Press Springvale

Frank is recognised for having a reputation of being able to ‘get things done’. He also continually invests in new equipment and technologies to improve print quality and broaden the offerings available in the large format print space. Frank is a member of FESPA Australia and regularly attends overseas trade shows to stay in touch with what’s new in the industry. This year Mezographic bought the neighbouring business giving Frank much needed space to expand.

Together Glenn and Rod run this successful wide format signage printing company, which also offers services in 3D printing. They are recognised for having strong insights into new tech solutions and sustainability for the signage industry and bring years of experience to any job. Coleman Group is now also utilising solar power at its Sydney factory has partnered with textile recovery company, BlockTexx, which facilitates the conversion of signage waste into high value raw materials for reuse.

Jason is recognised not only for his role with Visy but also for the voluntary work he conducts for the LIA in SA. He enjoys engaging with graduates and uses his experience to assist them in their growth and future development in the industry whether this be through guidance or long-term goal setting. Jason also has a deep understanding of environmental sustainability and this year completed a Masters in Bioproduct Manufacturing Engineering through Monash University.

Jason is now wholly focussed on Clark & Mackay having sold out of Ocean Reeve Publishing during Covid. He is recognised as a young and enthusiastic leader in the printing industry who is working hard to maintain the legacy of Clark & Mackay, a fourth-generation print business which has now operated in Brisbane for 94 years. His focus is on serving new and existing customers, sustainability standards and adopting new processes and company culture to keep propelling the business forward.

Frank Mezo managing director, Mezographic

Jason Turai packaging engineer, VISY & LIA SA representative

Jason Smith managing director, Clark & Mackay

Glenn Coleman & Rod Peter co-directors, Coleman Group

Barr general manager, AFI Branding

Jeff is recognised for being a committed, considered and client-focused general manager with quality project delivery always at the forefront of Jeff’s approach. IVE Group acquired AFI Branding in 2021 and Jeff worked hard to lead the way in establishing new relationships with the IVE teams across all divisions and he continues to lead the change, ensuring the AFI team remains engaged. As part of this integration effort, Jeff completed a ‘Lead & Manage Organisational Change’ course at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce.

Kenneth and Peter are recognised for their high energy and creative approach to print and the service they provide to the country’s most creative design agencies. They are respected members of the print community and are not afraid to create amazing products as evidenced with their record gold medal haul at the 2022 National Print Awards. They have also now installed 200 rooftop panels at their Marrickville factory and are moving to 100 per cent renewable energy use through the GreenPower initiative.

Being born into the industry, Kirsty has an unwavering love for print and with Luke’s long-term commitment and growing passion for the industry, the couple are both excited and driven by the opportunity to share their achievements and knowledge with their customers and community. The Woodheads have been working with the TRMC/PVCA to advocate for the development of a small business committee, allowing small printing businesses to educate, collaborate and share their voices to the wider industry.

Nina Nguyen founder, Pakko

Nina is recognised for starting Pakko, an Australian owned company with a vision to be the world’s most versatile cardboard manufacturer. At the heart of the business is a commitment to making a positive, sustainable, and meaningful contribution to the manufacturing and print industries by educating and inspiring customers, teams and stakeholders. Nina is a big believer in ‘stronger together’ and is always on the look out for collaborations with other printers and suppliers as it is these networks which will strengthen print’s reputation.

Jeff

Kenneth Beck-Pedersen & Peter Musarra co-directors, Carbon8

Kirsty & Luke Woodhead directors, Breen Printing

Freeman executive chairman, E-Bisglobal

Paul is a veteran of the industry but his passion and enthusiasm to seek out new opportunities for E-Bisglobal is undiminished. Paul is recognised as a tech-focused leader who remains committed to working with Australian printers to build solid and long-term relationships based on loyalty, honesty, trust, and openness. E-Bisglobal, through its partnership with the Bara Barang Aboriginal Corporation, runs an Aboriginal Youth Training Program and this year employed two full-time Aboriginal trainees.

Samantha is recognised for her leadership of this thriving Brisbane family-owned business, which recently expanded into fleet and vehicle wraps through Bailey Print Garage. Bailey Print Group continues to work with other printers to handle Queensland overflow work or in outsourcing collateral to other printers. Sustainability is also a priority with 204 rooftop solar panels now generating enough power to run all machinery and feed back into the grid. The company is also involved in the HP Close the Loop program.

Simon is recognised for continuing to lead QLM Label Makers, a company which is underwritten by the belief that ‘no person is more or less important than anyone else’. This cultural approach is reviewed annually in a 360 degree review process. Pugh has also fostered promoting from within the company to create opportunities for team members to grow their careers whilst remaining connected to the industry. In the past year, QLM has invested $2.5m in capital equipment, whilst also acquiring two key companies.

Sonia brings deep senior leadership experience to her role at Kwik Kopy, after leading the digital transformation journey at Snap, including the launch of the Snap Print & Design eCommerce platform and integrated Canva print design tool. Now at Kwik Kopy, Sonia believes print has never been more important, particularly in this disconnected and low-touch world. This year she launched a new Kwik Kopy advertising campaign and branding strategy to show consumers how anything is possible with print.

Paul

Simon Pugh group CEO, QLM Label Makers

Sonia Shwabsky CEO, Kwik Kopy Australia

Samantha Bailey-Jensen director, Bailey Print Group

Stephen Lamont managing director, Lamont Sustainable Sign Solutions

Stephen owns regional Queensland’s first super wide format trade printer and is recognised for being a strong voice for regional businesses while also supporting his team to achieve. This year he invested in a HP Latex 3600 enabling the business to offer fast turnaround fence mesh printing. Stephen is recognised for helping other companies enter the signage business by offering advice on technology, trouble shooting and marketing. He also recently took part in HP’s Inspire Speak Series.

Tate Hone managing director, Avon Graphics

Tate is recognised for his commitment to print. He previously served as a National print Awards board member and as vice president of the LIA. Through a committed process of technology upgrades and acquisitions, Avon Graphics remains Australia’s largest trade specialist print finisher. In the last 12 months, Tate installed a Durst P5 350 HS which has brought a higher speed offering of trade only large format printing to the industry. Avon Graphics also acquired historic Melbourne-based foil stamping company, Lorimier, this year.

Carlo & Deon Capogreco

owners, Big Image Australia

The printing industry is full of amazing stories. Many of the stories are ones of difficulty, success and triumph and none more so than that of Carlo & Deon Capogreco, the father-and-son team who own Big Image Australia.

On Boxing Day 2020, the Capogrecos were confronted with a seemingly insurmountable challenge. A destructive fire had ripped through their factory in South Australia taking everything with it. Nothing was left, not even a desk to work from.

A mid-Covid holiday was forgotten as the Capogrecos picked up the pieces. The days were hard but out of the ashes rose hope. The support they received from printers and suppliers showed the high regard they have in the industry. They kept going. They found new premises, moved in and are on the up again.

“The biggest achievement, both personally and professionally has been coming back from the fire we had at the end of 2020. It has been one of the toughest years I have had, filled with many lows, but also just as many highs. I am really proud of how we managed get through it all and have come out on the other side stronger,” Deon said.

“We not only moved into a new renovated factory space twice the size of our last, but we also extended the types of products we offer – adding wide format dye-sublimation printing and laser cutting to our range as well. It was a real team effort and it couldn’t have happened without the help from my family, our employees, associates and our clients.

“We have received much support from the print community over the last two years and understand the impact that can have.”

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Peter Clark

Peter Clark was the clear winner of this year’s Industry Achievement Award from a field of very strong contenders. Last year’s Power 50 Top 10 and Platinum Sponsor Matt Ashman of Durst were the judges and their decision was clear.

Peter is recognised for dedicating his entire working life to print, a period which included learning the trade as a young apprentice, to working in various printing businesses before eventually starting his own business, AIW Printing, before it was acquired by a larger conglomerate.

At the time of Peter’s passing in July this year, he was the president of the Print & Visual Communication Association and was instrumental in its successful merger with The Real Media Collective.

Peter is a well known and loved member of this industry and was also recognised earlier this year by being inducted into the PVCA’s Hall of Fame at the National Print Awards in June.

Peter’s son Richard Clark attended the ProPrint Awards to accept the award on behalf of his father and family.

Congratulations to the Clark family.

2022 Industry Achievement Award

In recognition of an outstanding achiever in print

Lithocraft

Ball & Doggett were proud to award Lithocraft, a leading print company which was first founded in the 1960s, with the inaugural 2022 ProPrint Awards Sustainability Prize.

Lithocraft’s long-term commitment to sustainability was recognised at the ProPrint Awards with Ball & Doggett’s national marketing manager, Tony Bertrand, presenting a miniature cardboard table tennis trophy as the prize. A life size version of the table tennis table, which was also on show at PacPrint this year, will be installed at Lithocraft’s factory in Melbourne providing hours of fun for the company’s staff and clients.

Lithocraft is guided by the principles of putting people first, fostering a culture of innovation, sustainability, ethical sourcing, measuring as well as improving and education.

These principles are at the core of what is Lithocraft, however, they are not just words on a website but are practiced and refined every day.

In Lithocraft’s view it is the one per cent changes that make this leading print organisation one to aspire to in the future. Lithocraft’s ethical sourcing policy ensures sustainable outcomes for customers. The company uses vegetable based inks, recyclable aqueous coatings, harvests rainwater, solar energy and has a stringent wastepaper recycling program.

Lithocraft also promotes and purchases many products as carbon neutral and they are FSC Chain of Custody certified.

Lithocraft is the smarter marketing communications company.

Nick O’Sullivan, Lithocraft’s managing director, was unable to attend the awards and the award was instead accepted by Lithocraft NSW general manager Matt Wickham.

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Courtney Newman

Graphic Designer, Ball & Doggett

Courtney Newman, a graphic designer with Ball & Doggett, was this year judged by an independent panel to be the 2022 Emerging 50 Mentorship Prize winner, provided in partnership with the Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA).

Courtney’s submission was a stand-out but in the end her insights into how different types of paper and print can impact the way print is received won over the judges.

Courtney will now receive 12 months of mentoring with the PVCA’s CEO Kellie Northwood and a $1000 voucher to undertake a leadership course with the Australian Institute of Management.

All Emerging 50 nominees have the opportunity to enter for the mentorship prize.

In her submission, Courtney explained she is intrinsically drawn to all things creative – art, music, design and movie making.

“I always knew that I wanted to be involved in an industry that encapsulated that variety,” she said.

“I work with the marketing team at Ball & Doggett as the Graphic Designer and develop creative campaigns that aim to ignite passion about print and paper daily. I love being introduced to new stocks every week and since working at Ball & Doggett my eyes have been opened to such a vast range of stocks that all have their own individual purpose and personality.”

Courtney says working in the print industry has taught her about the importance of taking design off screen and appreciating tactile and three-dimensional design including being able to touch, fold and smell the project, adding dimension and emotion to the project.

“I am in a unique position where I design and execute new campaigns each week. The idea that my work inspires designers across Australia and influences designers to think more creatively about the way they use paper and print is something I am extremely proud of,” she said.

2022 Emerging 50

In recognition of the rising stars of Australia’s printing industry

Abbie Graham

printer, Kwik Kopy Newcastle

Abbie was the 2021 Heidelberg LIA Graduate of the Year in NSW. Since completing a prepress apprenticeship, Abbie has been expanding her knowledge in digital print production at Kwik Kopy Newcastle. Abbie is a talented member of the print industry.

Aimee Johnston

designer, Insane Signs & Print

Aimee is recognised for being a high achiever who brings immense skill and precision to her work at Insane Signs & Print. Since her time with this Cardiff-based print business she has grown as her skills have continued to develop as she works in a variety of projects.

Ambrin Begum software

engineer, M-Power Software

Ambrim is recognised for bridging the gap between technical operations and business and championing the merits of shifting to Industry 4.0 with clients. Ambrim consults with clients and then uses technical skills and knowledge to solve their problems.

Ashley King

customer service & designer, Kwik Kopy, Darling Harbour

Ashley graduated from Wollongong University with a Creative Arts degree and is now studying marketing and communications at TAFE. She is recognised for her passion for making sure the design and print result reflects the vision of the client.

Cassie

Trimarchi

trainee, E-Bisglobal

Since coming onboard as a trainee, Cassie has excelled at E-Bisglobal and is going from strength to strength. She is currently working as a pre-packer and has gained the respect of her peers due to her strong work ethic and interpersonal skills which mean she can talk to anyone.

Adam Crellin

sales manager, Cactus Imaging

Adam is recognised for using his sound commercial experience, attention to detail and relationship skills at Cactus Imaging. After four years he now manages Cactus’ largest client and is further strengthening the client-supplier relationship.

Alyce Cursio

sales & operations manager, ADS Australia

Alyce is recognised for applying her creativity and knowledge to ensure clients benefit from the best possible solution. She is looking forward to steering clients away from plasticbased products as more eco-friendly rigid substrates become available.

Andrew Mantilla

business development manager, Orafol Australia

Andrew is a motivated operator who enjoys visiting customers to learn more about their business to better understand how Orafol’s range can best help them. He is recognised for providing an exceptional customer experience, adding value and a high level of account management.

Bradley Pow

apprentice, Multi-Color Corporation

Bradley was nominated by the LIA and Spectra for the enthusiasm and commitment he is showing to the trade. He started his apprenticeship in 2020 and is enjoying learning about HP Indigo technology and the process of integrating Automation Engine into the workflow.

Chad Proctor

apprentice, Platypus Print Packaging

The LIA and Spectra nominated Chad for his enthusiasm and commitment to his learning as a trade apprentice at Platypus Print Packaging. Since commencing his apprenticeship Chad has gone from strength to strength and is looking forward to a long and prosperous career in the industry.

Charlie Steele apprentice, PSI Screen Printing

Becoming an auto-machine screen printer is not something Charlie ever imagined but he has become deeply fascinated by it. He loves the opportunity to bring to life the creative ideas of customers with nothing but the highest standards of print.

Charlotte Fountain

graphic designer, Worldwide (Hamilton)

Having a combined design and print skillset, Charlotte recognises how amazing the industry is and where improvements can be made. She aims to encourage the industry to bridge the gap between design and print education and embrace community based knowledge.

Chris Matthews

production manager, Lamont Sustainable Signs

Chloe was nominated by the LIA for the support she provides particularly in South Australia encouraging new entrants into the industry. Chloe is recognised as a gifted communicator and designer who has the ability to inspire the next generation.

Chris is the production manager of Fenceprint, a division of Queensland’s Lamont Sustainable Sign Solutions. He is recognised for managing a team of printing and finishing professionals with patience and having high levels of attention to detail and an inclusive style.

Corne Moster

printer, Norwood Industries

Chris was nominated by OKI for the creative way he has been utilising an OKI Pro 1050 label printer to create double sided labels using clear media and multiple passes. Chris is also recognised for his leadership of this business alongside his brother, Nick.

Chloe Rudd designer, LIA Chris Smith owner, Park Douglas Printing Courtney Newman graphic designer, Ball & Doggett

Courtney utilises her high-level creative flair to produce Ball & Doggett’s promotional materials. She understands the importance of taking designs off screen and utilising different print methods for maximum impact. She is proud that her designs can influence how people see print.

Demi Samaras

services team leader, Multi-Color Corporation

Demi is a champion of print both at MCC and also in her volunteer work with the LIA. She is known as someone who encourages growth both within her team and others around her. Her efforts are having impact with a number of apprentices signing up in recent times.

Corne was the LIA Victorian Graduate of the Year (2021) and was an excellent Victorian representative at the 2022 National Awards. Corne is recognised for his extensive printing skills and high level print knowledge which was clear during in-depth LIA questioning.

David Pham

production manager, Mediapoint

David is the right-hand man of Mediapoint owner Jamie Xuereb. He is recognised for being a superstar of the print industry and someone who can see and understand Mediapoint’s decisions. This has set him up to become a young leader in the business.

Ethan Paget

printer, The Label Factory

Ethan recently completed his apprenticeship and is enjoying his role as a HP Indigo operator. He says there is always something different to do whether this it be running small jobs for clients or working with clients to help create exactly what it is they are after.

Filipine Litolo

production supervisor, DIC Australia

Filipine joined DIC in 2017 and has risen through the ranks. She is recognised for her work ethic and appreciation of what is required to create a safe workplace. This year she also completed a Workplace Leadership Essentials course which gave her great insight into leadership and team building.

Jacinta Allen

graphic designer, Breen Printing

Jacinta brings creative flair and enthusiasm to her role and is enjoying exploring other parts of the business and industry. She is always looking to further her skill set and knowledge of print and sees a strong future in the industry.

Jaimie Dekeyzer

printer, Insane Signs & Print

Jaimie is now the lead printer in the roll-to-roll print room and is relishing the opportunity to learn new skills in this exciting print space. As the lead printer, she sees it as her responsible to ensure her co-workers can manage all aspects of operation, printing and maintenance.

Jayden Spiliotis

apprentice, PSI Screen Printing

Jayden is a first year apprentice who was nominated for this award by the LIA and his training organisation, Spectra and employer. He never saw himself working in this space but is loving it and is fast developing a hunger to learn more about the industry.

Joshua West

printer, Multi-Color Corporation

Joshua is now a qualified flexographic printer and was Queensland’s 2021 LIA Heidelberg Graduate of the Year. He is now looking at becoming a trainer so he can foster apprentices in the future. He also volunteers his time with the LIA.

Heath Horton

software engineer, E-Bisglobal

Heath is recognised for being the ‘go-to’ person at E-Bisglobal for everything software related, including legacy application code developed over the last 20 years by different developers. His interest and knowledge of E-Bisglobal’s systems make him a valued member of the team.

Jacob Williams

printer, Ultra Labels

Jacob was the 2021 LIA National Graduate of the Year and is widely viewed as having a strong future ahead of him. He is currently running a digital HP Indigo 6900 and a Digicon embellishment machine to produce wine and spirit labels for Ultra Labels in the Barossa.

Jason Turvill operations manager,

Easy Signs

Jono Pitt

printer, Pope Packaging & LIA member

Jason, 28, joined Easy Signs after quitting an Engineering degree and he has not looked back. He started in customer service and is now operations manager at this growing business which has expanded into the USA. He is a lover of technology and engineering and enjoys combining the two. This leader is recognised for his passionate approach to print and future plans. He was the LIA Visual Connections Biennial graduate winner in 2019 and has become another outstanding ambassador the industry. His enthusiasm and commitment to this industry speaks volumes to his character.

Kaitlyn Bender designer,

Westman Printing

Kaitlyn is a valued member of the Westman Printing team and is recognised for continuing to improve her skills and development as a graphic designer. She has extensive knowledge about the print industry and prides herself on working to the best of her abilities at every chance.

Karen Lawler sales manager, Cactus Imaging

Recognised as an exceptional sales manager who shows great leadership potential, Karen is already exceeding all expectations in her role. She has a keen desire to learn from the ground up, in addition to being a keen photographer, motorsport enthusiast and ceramicist.

Malcolm King printer, Scott Print

Malcolm won the WA Heidelberg LIA Graduate of the Year in 2021 and is currently running the digital machines at Scott Print. He loves the problem solving involved in print and is always striving to find better ways to do things. He is recognised as a future leader of the industry.

Meisha Scott apprentice, Cairns City Graphics

Nominated by TAFE Qld and the LIA, Meisha is studying for a Certificate III in prepress graphic design. She is enjoying the work mainly due to its variety with tasks extending beyond printing and into promotional video recording for local real estate businesses and festivals.

Mitchell Brandes apprentice,

Colorcorp

Nominated by TAFE Qld and the LIA, Mitchell is enjoying his apprenticeship and is looking forward to a strong career in what he says is a very dynamic industry. He is enjoying learning about all facets of print at Colorcorp and learning from his well credentialed peers.

Ryan Julleza

inventory manager, Ovato

Ryan is recognised for his diligent and professional work ethic while he was with Ovato at Warwick Farm. He ensured Ovato got the best value of products and maintained a win-win relationship with suppliers. He is now an account manager with Fujifilm Australia.

Lachlan Rae

owner, Ezibrand Screen & Digital

Lachlan is recognised for having the initiative to start his own business and see it grow to one of the larger contract screen printing businesses in Australia with over 30 employees. He travels to FESPA trade shows to expand his knowledge and is happy to share his knowledge with others.

Matilda Milligan

prepress supervisor, Fildes

Matilda is recognised as a young, highly motivated and enthusiastic individual. She is a qualified graphic prepress technician and supervisor. During her years as an apprentice, she gained knowledge in print, prepress, technical processes, costings, sales and purchasing.

Milly Botta

sales estimator, Pakko

Milly is in her fourth year with Pakko and thoroughly enjoys helping design, create and deliver custom boxes for clients, whilst having a detailed understanding of Pakko’s processes. She has also now expanded into training other staff members and sees a strong future in this industry.

Rahul Reddy

account manager, IVE Group

Now in his third year with IVE, Rahul is recognised for having made it through Covid whilst evolving into his current account management role. He is known as someone who is enthusiastic with an excellent customer service ethic. His clients also appreciate his proactive response and positive attitude.

Sean Ashman

technical/operations support, Durst Oceania

Sean is recognised for his commitment to solving technical and logistical challenges at Durst Oceania. He is also credited with helping customers realise the power they have with Durst’s printers and software by helping them harness the full capabilities of the devices.

Sorrell Langford customer service, Spot Productions

A highly valued all-rounder, Sorrell works within a team of seven who manage websites which Spot Productions’ hosts for clients. She manages customer service and liaises with clients, colleagues and managers to ensure workflow efficiencies through data entry and day to day admin tasks.

Tiani Noovao production, IVE Retail Display NSW

Tiani is recognised for the way she interacts with different casual teams daily while also responding to fluid and dynamic client requirements. She displays the stamina needed to multi-task in a physically and intellectually demanding role, while also understanding complex requirements. Tiani is a valued member of the IVE team.

Vinita Bingham apprentice, Cornerstone Press

Vinita is in the third year of a prepress apprenticeship and loves the variety of the job. She feels fortunate to have fallen into the print industry after completing a graphic design course at TAFE. It was during her TAFE study that she saw the opportunities offered in the print industry and was keen to get involved.

Yan Ng project manager, IVE Group

Yan joined IVE after working as a project manager in a different sector. He is known as a ‘safe pair of hands’ for customers and other team members. He is also recognised for identifying strategies to increase customer satisfaction and revenue.

Zaf Haq project manager, IVE Group

Zaf classifies herself as someone who wants to go above and beyond to get the job done. She loves taking on challenging projects as they also feed her thirst for knowledge. Zaf has been in the industry for five years now and her customer service skills and industry knowledge are constantly improving.

Steph Talty operations manager, Easy Signs (USA)

Steph began working with Easy Signs in the Customer Happiness Team before taking on the operations manager role. She has completed a Certificate IV in Management, has a management degree and is undertaking an MBA. In March, she relocated to Pennsylvania to open Easy Signs USA.

Tony Ong general manager, Pakko

Tony has a background in construction project management and he uses these skills in his role at Pakko. He is recognised for leading a team of packaging professionals with integrity and enthusiasm and helping cultivate a truly positive work culture.

Wayne Noyes service engineer,

Graph-Pak

Wayne is recognised for having emerged as a key decision maker at Graph-Pak. Over time his knowledge and experience has deepened making him a vital asset in the national service delivery at this packaging supplier company.

Yvonne Rae

sales team lead, UltraColour Transfers

Yvonne has excelled in her role at UltraColour. After starting off in accounts, she has moved into sales and is now the sales team lead where she has hit the biggest sales targets the company has seen. Her success comes from getting to know the individual needs of each customer and showing a genuine interest.

Zoe Goding

business development manager, Velflex

Zoe came to Velflex with no printing experience five years ago and has been promoted to the business development role. She is recognised for her passion for customers and the gusto with which she tackles learning everything about vinyl printing to better service her customers.

Alan Didus

Victorian sales manager, Ball & Doggett

Alan has diverse experience in sales, operations and leadership. Building and sustaining relationships is a key strength as was seen during the integration of the Victorian sales team during the Focus/BJ Ball and BJ Ball/K.W. Doggett mergers.

Anthony Jackson

National Sales Manager ANZ –Commercial HP Indigo, Currie Group

Anthony is recognised for his achievements in working with the Currie Group team to bring the latest in HP Indigo B2 and SRA3 technology to customers in Australia and New Zealand. AJ looks after the HP Indigo 100K, HP Indigo 15K HD and the HP Indigo 7K.

Arne Baker

sales & marketing team leader, CPH Group

Arne is recognised for the enthusiasm and commitment he brings to his role at CPH Group, a supplier to the signage and wide format industries. He is known for having indepth product knowledge and for always making himself available to help customers find the right solution.

Bill Hessels

warehouse manager, DIC Australia

Bill has almost 25 years’ experience in warehousing and is recognised as a true asset at DIC. He is dedicated to ensuring DIC customers receive outstanding service and delivery. His attention and commitment to improving processes and safety of the DIC warehouses is commendable.

Chris Bowden

partner business manager large format, HP

This self-proclaimed print and sustainability evangelist brings decades of experience to his role. Chris believes that the sale of a printing device is not the end of the sale but the start of a long lasting collaboration which will hopefully see customers grow, diversify and flourish.

Alex McClelland

managing director, Orafol Australia

Alex has held senior roles with Kodak, Transilwrap and Spandex Asia Pacific in his extensive career. He joined Orafol in 2019 after Orafol Germany acquired several Orafol distributors in the reflective, tap and graphics markets in Australia.

Anthony Rossi

sales executive labels & packaging, Ball & Doggett

Anthony started with Ball & Doggett in 2015 and since then moved from Adelaide to Melbourne and is now playing a key role in the thriving labels and packaging space. He is recognised for having a natural ability to deliver information and train staff to effectively become assets within the business.

Ashley Playford-Browne

sales manager large format & textile, Durst Oceania

Ashley has been working in print since he was 16 and in that time has built solid experience across the industry. He is recognised for applying this knowledge when advising Durst customers on the best solutions.

Brett Wark

NSW sales & national product manager sign & display, Smartech

Brett is recognised for using his decades of experience from both the customer and manufacturer sides to provide quality service and advice to Smartech customers. Brett is acknowledged for being able to connect and understand customer requirements and work collaboratively.

Craig Walmsley

South Pacific industrial country manager, HP

Craig’s print journey began 20 years ago at Melbourne’s Print Direct, an early adopter of digital print and W2P. In 2018 he joined HP and works closely with Currie Group on go-tomarket strategies in the commercial, labels and packaging space.

50

Damian Pocock sales executive, Ball & Doggett

Damian began his career in print as a sales cadet in 1980 and later founded Access Paper which was acquired by BJ Ball in 2015. His experience and customer service are recognised as his greatest assets to Ball & Doggett’s continued growth in the display and visual graphics division.

Daniel Lamont general manager, Lamont Sustainable Sign Solutions

Daniel is instrumental in the running and growth of North Queensland’s only wide format trade supplier. He is part of and leads a team of wide and super wide print professionals who continually exceed client expectations. He also offers mentoring, advice and solutions to the signage industry.

David Rusk sales executive, Spicers

David is recognised for providing top level service to all of his customers often outside standard office hours of 9am to 5pm. He enjoys working with customers to find the best outcome and then seeing that solution achieve positive returns for the customer.

Emerson Earl

internal sales support specialist, CPH Group

Emerson is recognised for his outstanding technical knowledge and customer service. As a fairly new entrant to the industry, he shows high levels of responsiveness when requests for information are made. He is also acknowledged for being helpful and effective to work with as a supplier.

Glen Caporn

account executive – production print, Ricoh

Glen is recognised for contributing to the growth of the Ricoh production brand in WA through the Covid period which heavily affected the printing industry. He possesses a deep understanding of the local market which assists printers in choosing the right solution for their business.

Dan Mantel

technical sales, Durst Oceania

Dan is a highly regarded member of the printing industry having established his career as an apprentice at the age of 16 before joining AFI Branding. Now at Durst he is using his immense technical knowledge to help customers find the right solutions for their needs.

Daniela Mastroieni

national strategic relationships manager, Orafol Australia

Daniela is recognised as being well-respected, not only by her peers but also her valued customers. Daniela’s 13-plus years of service to the industry has earned her a reputation of having indepth industry and product knowledge.

Doug Robey owner,

DFLOW

Doug brings more than 30 years of experience working with leading print companies, driving print technology initiatives. He has enhanced the productivity and profitability of businesses with a complete focus on finding and delivering the best technical solutions.

George Maniatis

senior innovation specialist, Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia

George is recognised for displaying outstanding customer service across all aspects of production, training and trouble shooting. He is always willing to learn new methods and will invariably offer alternative and innovative problem solutions that improve outcomes and productivity.

Henryk Kraszewski

Senior Product Manager, Commercial & Industrial Print, Ricoh

Henryk is recognised for expertly executing his role as the marketing manager for production technology and equipment. Henryk has over 25 years marketing and product management experience with Fuji Xerox, Canon and has been with Ricoh since 2016.

Jason Kennedy

account executive – NSW, Fujifilm

Jason, a three-decade print industry veteran, is recognised for caring about his customer base with his can-do attitude to support and help customers with all challenges in the Graphics Market space. He is well respected and customers are keen to listen to him regarding solutions.

Jeremy Brew

worldwide large format solutions, HP

Jeremy has worked in the graphics, print and signage industry since 1999 and joined HP in 2008. He now leads the worldwide Large Format Solutions Presales activities, as part of the HP Go To Market team. He is also a member of the Visual Connections board.

Jimmy

Nguyen regional channel sales manager, Smartech

Jimmy is recognised for using his expertise in finishing solutions to expand the offer provided by Smartech for clients. He has spent over 15 years with Smartech and in that time has transformed the graphics business by introducing automation, embellishment and value-added services.

Julia Van Der Sommen director, Pattern Room

Julia has over 30 years of clothing industry experience as a pattern maker for swim, sport and fashion products. She is passionate about education and is focused on growing local clothing manufacture through smart planning and processes through her latest venture.

Linton Hornsey technical sales, CPH Group

This former painter and decorator is recognised for consistently delivering a top level of service to clients. He started with CPH Group in the warehouse in 2004 and three years ago moved into a technical sales role which he is thriving in.

Marina

Garces

customer service manager, Centrum Group

Marina is a dedicated and enthusiastic customer service professional with over 30 years of experience in the print industry. She started in a book bindery role and now is the customer service manager at leading printer, Centrum Group.

Jonny Rumney

NSW state manager, Celmac

Jonny joined the printing industry in 2000 with no experience as he had come straight from the fine dining kitchens of London and Sydney and began working his way up from being a technician. He is recognised for his thorough product knowledge and understanding of ink consumption.

Kate Scott

head of supply chain, DIC

Kate is recognised for her skill and professionalism in dealing with constant business challenges including shipping delays, escalating costs, lockdowns and raw material shortages. Her resilience and resourcefulness endured DIC could continue to manufacture and this should be celebrated.

Luke Wooldridge

national sales manager, Fujifilm

In addition to being a board member of Visual Connections for the last seven years and a LIA member, Luke is recognised for his expertise in professional sales as well as having the scope to support and help customers with all challenges in the graphics market space.

Matt Ashman

managing director, Durst Oceania

After starting out as an ad agency runner in London’s West End, Matt has print in his blood. His key career milestone so far has been setting up the Durst Oceania branch and being accepted into the Australian print community which he dearly loves.

Matt Johnson managing director, Trimatt Systems

Matt has 35 years of graphic arts industry experience and now runs his own company which designs and manufactures process automation machinery for print. Since starting the business in 2005, it is now recognised as a key industry supplier.

Matthew Taylor key account director, Ricoh Australia

Matthew is recognised for leading the team which secured Ricoh as the preferred print provider to IVE Group, which included having a fleet of Ricoh digital colour print devices replace machines supplied by a competitor that had been a supplier to IVE for almost 30 years.

Paul Lamberti managing director - ANZ, Flint Group

Paul started out as a product development chemist with Toyo Ink before joining Flint as a technical manager in 2002. Over time he has been steadily promoted and now in his 20th year with the company is serving as the ANZ region’s managing director.

Peter Hine

application & colour specialist, Smartech

Peter is recognised for being a leading colour management expert with more than 20 years’ service in printing industry. He has spent 18 years specialising in colour management, large format and digital cutter workflow, HP Latex printers and Onyx and SAI Flexi Rip software.

Royden Thomas

technical sales, CPH Group

A passionate member of a highly motivated team ensuring sign writers and wide format printers around Australia run a smooth and consistent operation by providing them the right product on time, every time.

Matthew McInerney managing director, Jones Brothers Printechnology

Matthew is recognised for running this business which supplies the screen printing industry. It is staffed by a growing number of people who are ex-printers which gives them a special edge in customer service and makes it a great one-stop-shop for the industry in Australia.

Michael Boyle

managing director, HP ANZ

Michael has spent over 25 years working in the commercial print space in Australia and overseas. Most recently he was HP’s managing director in A/NZ but is now leading the HP Large Format business worldwide and is based in Barcelona.

Paul Swanbury

Service Technician, Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia, & LIA member

In addition to his role with Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia, Paul is recognised as a committed and tireless LIA committee member for almost two decades. He, like everyone else in the LIA, freely gives up his time to promote the print industry and assist all graduates.

Richard Kemp

chief operating officer, DIC Australia

Richard has been a leader for over 15 years and is well respected by his team across Australia and DIC’s customers. He has also overseen great change at DIC following the announcement that ink production will cease in NSW and be consolidated into Victoria following a strategic review.

Skipp Humphreys

national sales specialist, Kyocera

A veteran with more than 20 years of sales experience working for digital equipment providers including Fuji Xerox, Currie Group and now as the National Production Inkjet Sales Specialist for Kyocera. Skipp is recognised for his energetic customer service and product knowledge.

Sofia Cerros Designline supervisor, Ball & Doggett

Sofia joined Ball & Doggett four years ago and is a critical part of delivering outstanding service for customers. She is recognised for always being on hand to advise customers on alternatives and whether this be through showing mock-ups or bespoke requirements.

Steven Aglio sales manager NSW, Spicers

Steven is a true industry veteran. He is recognised for always going above and beyond to ensure his customer is receiving the best customer service. This also results in a win for Spicers as his service undoubtedly encourages more sales.

Tatjana Ferguson

product marketing manager, Konica Minolta

Tatjana has over 28 years of sales and product marketing experience and has worked with numerous vendors and clients in the commercial print space. She has been with Konica Minolta since 2019 and enjoys supporting the company’s customer base.

Tony Bertrand

national marketing manager, Ball & Doggett

Tony is a sales and marketing professional with over 20 years’ experience in various industries. He loves tackling new challenges and driving change and growth in organisations so they can be the best they can be. This is achieved through its people, systems and processes.

Stephen Pratt

managing director, Kurz ANZ

Stephen has been involved in the print industry for more than 20 years with leadership roles in companies supplying products and services across digital and wide format print, workflow and consumables. He is now in his ninth year at the helm of Kurz in A/NZ.

Sue Threlfo

happily retired, Konica Minolta

Following 33 years in the printing industry with both Fuji Xerox and Konica Minolta, Sue retired this year. Sue is recognised as being instrumental in introducing digital printing to the world of offset printers, an experience which while challenging, forged many long term relationships.

Tom Ralph

managing director, Graph-Pak

Tom established Graph-Pak in 2005 and has steadily grown it into the well-known industry brand that it is today. He sees only bright opportunities ahead as the marketplace continues to change with the transition into packaging in full swing.

Troy Neighbour

business manager, Fujifilm Australia

Troy was recently promoted into the role of business manager having served as the graphics systems business marketing manager for a number of years. Troy has a deep understanding of the printing industry and loves finding interesting ways to communicate Fujifilm benefits to customers.

Yasmin

Chong sales support, Ball & Doggett

Yasmin has been in the paper industry for two decades and says working in the industry has given her many opportunities to develop. She is recognised for providing top level support to the Ball & Doggett team with the goal of inspiring and educating all users about the wonders of print and paper.

Zaidee Jackson

national business manager, sustainable packaging, Ball & Doggett

With a passion for the paper, print and design industries, Zaidee has thrived in a career spanning over 25 years within sales and marketing. An advocate for the industry Zaidee is recognised for being multifaceted in her engagement with stakeholders, driving commercial outcomes for the business.

Why?

No odor

No spray powder

No set-off

No loss time

• Instant dry

• Instant ON/OFF irradiation

No VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

No Ozone

No large peripheral equipment

No need for overprint varnishing

Reduce electrical consumption

• Up to 91%

Reduce CO2 emission

Reduce heat generation

Long life span

• Up to 15 times

Printing on film and cardboard

Just like your conventional offset press ...without the cons.

A1-Plus Size 8-Colour O set Press LED-UV, Perfecting Device with Printing Quality Control system and Smart Assist Printing functions

Once again, CMYKhub has led the industry by purchasing the first 970PF-8 LED with PQS-D Printing Quality Control system and SAP Smart Assist Printing functions, featuring the award winning Ryobi LED-UV printing system. The LED-UV revolution in print was unquestionably led by Ryobi since Drupa 2008.

With a proven track record, this will be the group’s 15th press and their 6th 8-colour convertible perfector.

Gaining a reputation as a 100% trade only printer who is constantly evolving and setting new standards, CMYKhub strives to empower their resellers, providing them access to the latest technologies.

Sydney : 38 V ictoria Street, Beaconsfield, NSW 2015 Australia

Tel: (61) 2 9318 0099 Fax: (61) 2 9318 0399

New Zealan d : Unit 22, Ground Floor, 6 Ken Browne Drive, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand Tel: (64) 7 949 7722

Singapo re - Tel: (65) 6272 8936

Thailand   - Tel: (66) 2 682 3411-4

Sydne y Melbourne Brisban e Pert h

Malaysi a - Tel: (60) 3 7955 1668 (Kuala Lumpur) Tel: (60) 7 598 0771/2 (Senai, Johor)

d

- Rob Crough 0423 337 788

- Greg Knight 0411 338 855

- Peter Erskine 0432 663 322

- Alan Strugnell 0418 955 512

- Paul Hilleard (64) 21 191 6548

Indonesi a - Tel: (62) 21 2555 8924

Vietna m - Tel: (84) 9 0938 9468

SINCE 2008

970PF-8 LED with PQS-D and SAP