ProPrint December 2024

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AUSTRALIA’S BEST TRADE PRINTER

Contents DECEMBER

6-12 Update

A news roundup from the world of print

16 Women in Print’s Print and Prosecco roundup

Highlights from Women in Print’s Print and Prosecco evenings

20 LIA Victoria and Marvel BookBinding open house

Record crowd for LIA Victoria’s final technical tour of the year

24 2024 FESPA Australia Annual Conference

A wrap up of the 2024 FESPA Australia Annual Conference

People power

The industry’s best of the best were celebrated at the recent 2024 ProPrint Awards. Now in its 14th year, the ProPrint Awards has become the premier event for the industry, honouring excellence and recognising the individuals who make the print industry the innovative sector that it is.

Continuing to build on its success each year, the 2024 ProPrint Awards reported a record number of nominations, sponsorships, and attendees, with more than 365 guests gathering at the Shangri-La Sydney to celebrate industry excellence.

who tragically passed away earlier this year.

This edition of ProPrint celebrates all the winners of this year’s event. From print’s rising stars to remembering the ‘titans of the trade’ who have helped shaped the industry to what it is today –we bring you all the highlights from print’s night of nights from page 28.

Also in this issue, we recap the 2024 FESPA Australia Annual Conference. The conference delivered thought-provoking sessions to a record number of attendees who gathered under this year’s theme: Transform, Inspire, Lead.

In this edition we also share highlights from Women in Print’s Print and Prosecco evenings recently held around the country, and showcase Ricoh Australia’s newly opened customer experience centre in Sydney.

62

64 Comment: Charles Watson

Workplace relations: What you need to know for 2025

65 Comment: Mick Rowan

How to navigate stress in the modern workplace

66 ProPrint Diary

Keep up to date with the latest industry events

Editor Claire Hibbit, chibbit@intermedia.com.au

Editor Hafizah Osman, hosman@intermedia.com.au

Design and Production Manager Sarah Vella, svella@intermedia.com.au

Managing Director James Wells, james@intermedia.com.au

Subscriptions (02) 9660 2113, subscriptions@intermedia.com.au

Printed by Hero Print Alexandria, NSW, 2015

Mailed by D&D Mailing Services Prestons, NSW, 2170

This year’s awards included the highly coveted peer voted Printer 50, as well as Supplier 50, Emerging 50, Industry Achievement, Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability, and the inaugural Geoff Selig Scholarship in honour of IVE Group chairman Geoff Selig

Finally, the ProPrint team would like to wish all our valued readers, contributors, and advertisers a happy and safe holiday season. We would also like to thank you for your continued support this year and look forward to bringing you the latest news in 2025.

Claire Hibbit

Visual Connections announces new executive general manager

Visual Connections has announced the appointment of Karren Challoner-Miles to the role of executive general manager – association.

Challoner-Miles’ appointment follows the retirement of long-serving CEO, Peter Harper. As part of the restructure, Sarah Moore has also been promoted to general manager – trade shows and events.

Visual Connections president, Mitch Mulligan, said Challoner-Miles’ appointment came after an exhaustive recruitment process, with the board given the difficult task of making the call from a field of very qualified candidates.

“We were impressed and encouraged by the calibre of candidates who expressed interest in the role, but Karren’s

Pozitive Sign & Graphic Supplies relocates to new larger facility

Pozitive Sign & Graphic Supplies has relocated to a new facility at 152 Russell Street, Emu Plains in western Sydney.

According to Pozitive, the move reflects the company’s commitment to growth, sustainability, and enhancing customer experiences.

“This relocation is an important milestone for us,” said Phil Trumble, managing director of Pozitive Sign & Graphic Supplies.

“The Penrith region is booming, and this puts us in the perfect position to meet the growing demand. With quick access to major motorways and the upcoming Western Sydney International Airport, we are better equipped to serve customers across Australia.

“Our new, larger space means we can showcase more solutions and host even more events to help our clients stay at the forefront of technology.”

The new facility provides several new upgrades, including a larger, state-of-theart showroom designed to accommodate more product demonstrations, customer events, and hands-on training sessions.

It also aligns with Pozitive’s environmental goals with the installation of a 56-kilowatt solar system, reducing the business’ carbon footprint and ensuring

experience and qualifications made her the obvious choice to lead Visual Connections into the future,” he said.

“We are very pleased that Karren has agreed to lead our operational team, and

we know she will bring fresh ideas and a new energy to Visual Connections.”

A senior marketing, brand and product leader, Challoner-Miles has worked within the energy, telecommunications, technology, and news and real estate publishing sectors, managing consumer, business and affiliate marketing strategy and execution for private and board-led organisations across APAC.

She has deep expertise in strategy, organisational operations, market expansion and product development as well as promotion, with experience covering everything from optimising technology and process automation for marketing and acquisition teams, to driving successful omni-channel leadgeneration, acquisition and retention campaigns.

“I’m excited to join the association and to capitalise on all the great work outgoing CEO Peter Harper has achieved during his 18-year tenure. I’m fortunate that I can work alongside him for the next few weeks and benefit from his extensive knowledge of the industry,” Challoner-Miles said.

greener operations. In addition to the move, Pozitive is also implementing a new integrated system to further streamline technical support and service calls, improving response times and ensuring a smoother experience for customers seeking assistance. According to Pozitive, this upgrade reflects the company’s continuous commitment to providing superior service and support.

“We’re grateful for the ongoing support from our customers and suppliers,” said Trumble.

“This move reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and future growth. With improved logistics, a modern facility, and a recently integrated field service system to streamline our technical service and support, we look forward to delivering even better customer care.”

Karren Challoner-Miles

The new facility is located at 152 Russell Street, Emu Plains

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Mark Rixon joins Celmac as national applications and colour specialist

Mark Rixon has joined Celmac as its national applications and colour specialist. In this newly created role, Rixon will enable Celmac customers to optimise their wide-format operations through ink and colour optimisation, applications efficiency, and operator training.

Rixon will operate from the company’s Brisbane office and report directly to Celmac Queensland state manager, Matt Hall.

Celmac managing director Wayne McIntyre said having Rixon on board will significantly add to the company’s range of services while partnering with print operators across Australia and position the business for planned introductions and further growth.

With 14 years of industry experience in customer support roles and having extensive experience with colour management/profiling, project management, workflow optimisation, and technical support and training, Hall said Rixon was the perfect fit for this role.

BOO Group buys Agfa Jeti Mira 2732 LED flatbed printer

Sydney-based BOO Group, parent company of BOOprint, has purchased the Agfa Jeti Mira 2732 LED flatbed printer from SMARTECH.

This is the first Jeti Mira from SMARTECH which will be installed in Australia. The equipment is set to arrive in January 2025, with installation scheduled for early 2025.

The Jeti Mira LED is a moving-gantry flatbed printer specially designed to offer optimal flexibility. Some of its features include up to 2.69m-wide prints, a roll-toroll option, LED curing and advanced 3D Lens Technology.

As a versatile printing machine, the Jeti Mira produces print quality in six colours (CMYKLcLm) and white, with optional (3D) varnish or primer. The 7pl-droplets produce stunning, detailed images and razor-sharp texts.

The Jeti Mira also boasts a ‘Print and Prepare’ mode, enabling users to load one side of the table while the other side is printing. Equipped with UV LED lamps for the curing process, it also offers major advantages in terms of performance, ROI,

“As a leading wide-format hardware and support organisation experiencing tremendous growth, particularly in the Queensland market, we have identified the requirement for a holistic approach to the sales and service functions that Celmac offers,” Hall said.

“With our industry becoming increasingly time-poor and margin

stretched, our customers look to Celmac to assist with fine tuning their operations to enhance their competitive advantage through production efficiency and maximised profitability. Key to this is being able to provide a proactive rocksolid pre- and post-sales service offering.

“Whilst Celmac continues to provide a first-class technical repair service, we have extended our market offering by developing a specialist applications role within the business. This is a national role based in Brisbane and is focused on enabling Celmac customers to optimise their wide-format operations through ink and colour optimisation, applications efficiency and operator training.

“We are proud to announce that Celmac has appointed Mark Rixon to this role. Mark is perfectly suited and will hit the ground running having over 14 years’ experience with high-end colour management, applications and customer support.”

Rixon has experience with key wideformat RIP systems and all major ink technologies including HP Latex, Resin, UV-Curable, Eco-Solvent and DyeSublimation.

“I look forward to working with Celmac’s key customers and helping them with colour uniformity across their machines, as well as assisting them with any workflow challenges they face to get the most out of their machines,” Rixon said.

costs, maintenance, the environment and the generation of extra business.

“SMARTECH is proud to announce its latest partnership with BOO Group, securing the powerful and award-winning Jeti Mira 2732 LED flatbed printer from Agfa,” the company said.

“This marks a significant milestone as it will be the first Jeti Mira from SMARTECH”.

BOO Group is a long-standing partner of SMARTECH – this is the fourth Agfa machine that BOO Group will have in its production lineup.

“[BOO Group’s] decision to invest in the Jeti Mira highlights the importance of SMARTECH’s outstanding service and support, as well as the company’s strong history with the brand,” SMARTECH said.

“The new addition will further enhance BOO Group’s printing capabilities, providing top-tier results with increased efficiency, aligning with its commitment to delivering high-quality service to clients. Stay tuned for further updates on the installation and rollout.”

Celmac’s Matt Hall and Mark Rixon

The Agfa Jeti Mira 2732 LED flatbed printer

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Coritex names Daniel Watts as new managing director

Textile print media company Coritex has appointed Daniel Watts as its new managing director, replacing Josh Kumpers.

The company said Watts brings a “wealth of varied experience and a proven track record” in the industry, positioning Coritex for continued growth and innovation.

Watts assumes this position having taken up the role as national business development and sales manager 15 months ago. His extensive background includes leadership roles at several prominent companies, where he successfully spearheaded strategic initiatives and drove significant business growth.

In this new role, Watts will oversee all aspects of Coritex’s operations, including strategic planning, business development, and customer relations. He will also play a key role in driving the company’s sustainability initiatives, ensuring that

Lamson Paragon CEO initiative raises $250,000 for cancer charity

A group of Sydney golfers recently played for 24 hours, raising $250,000 to fund cancer research.

Thirteen groups of players teed off at 7:30am and played through the night without break, finishing their mammoth round the following morning.

The event, One Day, was organised by Lamson Group CEO, Rodney Frost, who was inspired to establish the challenge following personal tragedy.

“In 2023, my family lost three loved ones to cancer, including my sister-in-law. A close mate had also recently died with cancer, so friends and I decided to launch a fundraising event in all their memories,” said Frost.

Players in the inaugural 2023 One Day event raised more than $100,000.

In 2024, Castle Hill Country Club again hosted the event, with double the number of players, triple the quantity of temporary lighting towers and a special guest, Sam Johnson, who told the players every dollar raised would be spent on precision medicine for cancer patients.

All donations go to Love Your Sister, a charity created by Gold Logie winner Sam Johnson and his sister, Connie. Love Your Sister is dedicated to ensuring

Coritex remains at the forefront of environmentally responsible practices in the textile industry.

Coritex added that Watts’ commitment to sustainability aligns with the company’s vision for the future.

“We are thrilled to welcome Daniel Watts to the position,” Kumpers said.

“Daniel’s leadership and approach will be invaluable as we continue to expand our product offerings and strengthen our market position. His appointment marks a significant milestone for Coritex, and we are confident that he will lead the company to new heights.”

Watts said he is honoured to take on the role with Coritex.

“Coritex has a strong reputation for service, innovation and quality, and I look forward to building on this foundation to achieve even greater success. Capitalising on the strengths and talents of Neal Van Der Merwe as director of operations and the rest of the incredible team, together, we will continue to deliver exceptional products and services to our customers while advancing our commitment to sustainability,” Watts said.

precision cancer treatment for all cancer patients, regardless of location, age, income or status.

General manager at Castle Hill Country Club, Brendan Ellam, said, “We had no hesitation to partner with One Day and Love Your Sister Foundation to play our role in fighting this terrible disease. While golf is usually an individual sport, seeing players and volunteers band together for a greater good is the epitome of our club’s camaraderie. It makes me proud to be part

of Castle Hill Country Club and our local community”.

Windsor Golf Club also staged its own One Day event. Similar events have been planned for other golf clubs around the country, and Frost’s team has developed a guide to help clubs create their own One Day programs.

One Day 2025 is slated for 28 October 2025 at Castle Hill Country Club and Frost has an even bigger ambition: “I think we can raise $500,000 with the support of the Hills community”.

Neal Van Der Merwe, Daniel Watts, and Josh Kumpers

Lamson Paragon CEO Rodney Frost (centre) led a group of golfers to raise $250,000 for cancer research

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VMA gives ‘sneak peek’ of Annual Industry Metrics Survey results

The Visual Media Association (VMA) hosted a member and industry-wide ‘sneak peek’ release of its Annual Industry Metrics Report, the second report across two years, exploring salary benchmarking, employment numbers and demographics, forecasting, apprentice numbers, and more.

The Annual Industry Metrics Report, supported by Ricoh Australia, was started by the association in 2023 with a focus on understanding the industry through the lens of data, the first time in more than a decade. The ‘sneak peek’ was hosted via a webinar briefing by VMA CEO, Kellie Northwood.

Here are some of the key findings contained in the VMA Annual Industry Metrics Survey:

General industry trends

• 67.50 per cent of businesses operate across a single site

• 86.25 per cent of companies are privately owned and operated

• 37.5 per cent of businesses report $1 million - $5 million in annual turnover

• 37. 5 per cent of businesses report $5 million - $50 million in annual turnover

• 17.5 per cent of businesses report less than $1 million in annual turnover

• 7.5 per cent of businesses report $50 million - $100 million in annual turnover

• 38.75 per cent of companies currently employ less than 10 people

• 26.25 per cent of companies currently employ 11-30 people

• 12.5 per cent of companies currently

Kellie Northwood

Labour and salary benchmarking

employ 51-100 people

• 64.91 per cent of industry employ men, 38.63 per cent employ women, and 8.33 per cent employ non-binary people

Service offering and diversity

• 84 per cent of average job sizes are under 1000 units

• 42 per cent of businesses are looking to invest in new equipment and upgrades to expand service offerings

• Packaging, warehouse and logistics, finishing, wide format, and promotional products and merchandise are the top five growth areas (this is the second year packaging ranks the highest in diversification investment)

Quoting jobs and workflow

• Job ordering is mainly via email (59.95 per cent) with e-commerce or web-toprint (30.15 per cent) second, and direct sales (27.09 per cent) third

• Job ordering to quote to production and distribution is the highest concern from businesses with high manual handling costs and fragmented automation being the highest concern areas

• 34 per cent of businesses report average job size has increased, however, 19.74 per cent report job size declined significantly

• 62.5 per cent of volume trends are linked to seasonal campaigns, such as Easter, Christmas, or sporting events

• 77.78 per cent currently employ one or more first year/stage one apprentice (38.46 in 2023)

• 77.78 per cent currently employ one or more second year/second stage apprentice (53.85 per cent in 2023)

• 55.56 per cent currently employ one or more third year/third stage apprentice (30.77 per cent in 2023)

• 33.33 per cent currently employ one or more fourth year/fourth stage apprentice 30.77 per cent in 2023)

• 2.44 per cent of companies pay 100 per cent to the award (10.29 per cent in 2023)

• 26.83 per cent of companies pay 5-10 per cent above the award (38.24 per cent in 2023)

• 39.02 per cent of companies pay 11-20 per cent above the award (36.76 per cent in 2023)

• 21.95 per cent of companies pay more than 20 per cent above the award (5.88 per cent in 2023)

Skills and training

• Finding candidates with the right skills is the biggest challenge for the industry (68 per cent) and a further 47.3 per cent report finding job-ready candidates is challenging

• In 2023, 47 per cent reported a return to onsite work and 2024 reports this trend will continue with a further 27 per cent returning to onsite

• 32 per cent report they will continue work from home arrangements

Business certifications and standards

• 51.35 per cent of businesses hold no certifications

• 27.03 per cent of businesses are ISO9001 certified

• 24.32 per cent of businesses are FSC certified

• 8.11 per cent of businesses report carbon mapping

• 16.22 per cent of businesses have other certifications

• 18.92 per cent of businesses are ISO 14001 certified

• 41.07 per cent of volume trends are linked to education and government, such as elections, budgets, or school terms

In February 2025, the VMA will host national roadshow sessions in Ricoh showrooms across the country, which will provide more analysis across the industry metrics.

Mimaki unveils suite of new products for Australia

Mimaki has announced the availability of three new products for the Australian market following their global releases at this year’s Printing United in Las Vegas.

Mimaki has announced the availability of three new products for the Australian market: the JFX200-1213EX mid-sized flatbed UV inkjet printer, the CJV200 series, a roll-toroll print and cut MFP with eco-solvent ink, and the TxF300-1600, a 3.2m-wide roll-toroll inkjet printer.

New flatbed printer under $100,000

Mimaki Australia confirmed it will be warehousing stock of its new flatbed printer, the JFX200-1213EX, locally and pricing it under $100,000.

The JFX200-1213EX 1.2m by 1.3m flatbed printer will be available within the next few weeks and Mimaki Australia has confirmed stock will be available from local warehouses.

Mimaki Australia channel sales manager, Chris Morrison, told ProPrint the flatbed is an ideal entry-level printing solution.

“At this end of the market – there is no other machine that has the features of this

machine as well as the productivity and the total cost of ownership. Pricing for this model, which will be available from January, is very sharp and under six figures – delivered, installed, and with training,” Morrison said.

“This model provides the same configuration as the larger JFX200EX flatbed with three heads offering CMYK plus primer, white and clear. The 1213EX also offers the benefit of braille printing which is specific to this JFX model as normally to get braille print, you would need the UJF model.

“It offers excellent image quality and is fully automated when it comes to cleaning.”

According to Mimaki Australia managing director, Kohei Kobayashi, this is an ideal machine for small to medium commercial printing companies and suits cut-sheet printing with compatibility up to A0 size.

Entry-level CJV200 printer ideal for smaller print shops

Mimaki has also announced the availability of its new CJV200 eco-solvent print and cut device in three different sizes – 75cm, 130cm, and 160cm.

The CJV200 offers the updated S22 ink with higher environmentally friendly formulation packaged in cardboard cartridges to improve recyclability. The CJV200 is an upgrade to the CJV150 and offers higher speed and increased productivity.

“This is the entry level for our product range is perfect for smaller print shops that are looking to produce a broad range of products including self-adhesive labels and stickers, vehicle wraps, posters and pull-up banners,” said Morrison.

“The advantage of this machine is that we are using the same three picolitre printheads on the CJV200 as we do on the higher end JV330 series. This delivers the same print quality and productivity as the JV330 with an entry-level price. With increasing labour costs becoming a larger issue in the market, this machine offers automatic adjustment which means unskilled operators can achieve the same quality at the click of a button utilising our easy-to-operate graphical user interface.”

Mimaki offers first 1.6m DTF printer with shaker unit

Mimaki also confirmed the release of its TxF300-1600 direct-to-film printer launched at Printing United in Las Vegas earlier this year.

According to Morrison, this is the first time Mimaki will bring a 1.6m direct-to-film printer to the Australian market.

Mimaki has also confirmed that a compatible shaker unit will be available with the TxF300-1600 to make it convenient to purchase both machines in one transaction.

Utilising 1.6m width, this will provide printing companies with the opportunity to create more than just t-shirts, but also rolls of fabric and soft furnishings traditionally associated with dye sublimation.

Chris Morrison and Kohei Kobayashi with the Mimaki JFX200-1213EX

Ricoh Australia opens new experience centre in Sydney

Ricoh Australia recently showcased its new experience centre, with the facility’s design inspired by the company’s global corporate philosophy ‘the spirit of three loves’ – love your neighbour, love your country, and love your work.

Ricoh Australia has opened its new state-of-the-art experience centre at North Ryde in Sydney.

Ricoh Australia managing director, Yasu Takahashi, said the redeveloped site is inspired by the three principles formulated by Ricoh founder Kiyoshi Ichimura in 1946.

“The customer experience centre is inspired by our corporate principles, known as ‘the spirit of the three loves’ –love your neighbour, love your country, and love your work.

“The three loves encourage us to continuously improve and contribute to the wellbeing of all stakeholders,” said Takahashi at the opening.

“These principles reenforce the belief that great people in a great environment makes work fulfilling and fun.”

Takahashi said the centre aims to enhance both the customer and employee experience following the pandemic and subsequent years of hybrid and remote working.

“When it came to renewing this lease last year, it was a hard decision to make because we were uncertain about the future of work. Are we moving to five days in the office or going 100 per cent remote?

“I made the decision that instead of moving somewhere else or going 100 per

cent remote, to convert this space into more of a connection hub between our employees and customers,” he said.

“In order to achieve this, we needed to rethink several key aspects including how are team members working today.”

Takahashi said the company also examined what would be important to customers.

“What does this environment mean to our customers? What does Ricoh mean to our customers? That was another piece that we really spent time thinking about.

“And lastly, how we can demonstrate the value we can bring to [customers] now and in the future. Not only talking about today but what are the future technologies that we can bring, and how we can continuously demonstrate those new technologies.”

Takahashi said the Ricoh customer experience centre it is an interactive space that enables the company to showcase its comprehensive suite of products.

“We’re not just only a print technology company, we also have a vast range of divisional services, such as IT, hybrid workplace solutions, digital automation, and security. We have a wide range of offerings today. This space is about showcasing those comprehensive solutions and service. It also serves as a place to be a collaborative environment between Ricoh, the vendors, and our customers.”

Henryk Kraszewski, senior product and marketing manager, said the concept behind the new experience centre is to showcase the broader capabilities of Ricoh Australia.

“What we have on display here now is not only our production showroom – where we encourage our customers to come in and test our equipment – but at the same time demonstrate the rest of our capabilities across our whole business,” Kraszewski said.

“We are showcasing other offerings such as the concept of hybrid working and how it can best work in many environments. We also have our large AV integration operation – we’re the third largest AV integrator in the world – and we can showcase how that technology can help printers connect to their customers, but also to satellite operations.

“Cyber security is another big topic at the moment and many printers don’t have the capabilities to do this in-house. We can help them with their cyber security challenges and manage that for them. We can also help with IT infrastructure, even down to the level of purchasing computers for customers and getting them ready for their staff to use.

“The way we have designed the experience centre is for it to be used by our customers, so we are encouraging our customers to use these facilities. If they have a town hall, or a meeting and they want to bring their workforce together, they are more than welcome to come here.

“We have the capability to not only host it in-house, but if they have operations across the country, we can stream it. They also can have access to a board room, and workstations so staff can work remotely while they’re away from their own office.”

Attendees also enjoyed a guest keynote speech from artificial intelligence (AI) specialist Dr Sean Gallagher titled ‘The Future of Human Work’ discussing the future impact of generative AI to individuals and teams within the workplace.

Henryk Kraszewski with the new Pro8420S mono printer

Dr Sean Gallagher (Humanova), Tina Economou (Ricoh), and Yasu Takahashi (Ricoh)

WOMEN IN PRINT

Connections and conversations for industry women at Print and Prosecco networking evenings

Women in Print recently held its annual Print and Prosecco events, with a strong turnout of attendees across the country confirming the ongoing popularity of the gatherings.

Women in Print’s annual Print and Prosecco evenings continue to gain momentum, with networking events recently held across the country in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and Sydney.

Women in Print Australia chair Stephanie Gaddin said the Print and Prosecco events are now a well-established favourite on the Women in Print calendar, providing the opportunity for women in the broader print, sign, display, label and packaging sectors to get together, build their industry networks, and catch up with industry friends.

This year’s Print and Prosecco series kicked off in Melbourne at the Village Belle Hotel in Barkly Street, St Kilda.

Women in Print Victorian patron, Rita Karagiannis, said, “Our Print and Prosecco networking events are wonderful opportunities for our community to come together over a drink and some nibbles, fostering connections and sharing experiences.

“Taking time out of our busy lives to gather like this helps us build stronger relationships and support each other.

“We’re excited to host more events like this throughout the year, not just our annual breakfast series, giving everyone more chances to connect and engage within our Women in Print community,” she said.

The Adelaide event, which was sponsored by Access Print Holdings and Retail Ink, was held at The Archer Hotel.

Women in Print SA patron, Diana Nikolic, business development manager at Ball & Doggett, said the SA contingent had an enjoyable night.

“We started with a fun ‘break the ice’ bingo game to get everyone mingling and making connections with women outside their groups. It was great to see everyone

coming together to chat and have a few laughs over some great food and bubbles.”

Western Australian Women in Print gathered on the following evening at the Sassy Cocktail Bar in Perth.

The Perth night, too, was positively received, with WA patron Kimberly Skinner from Total Digital Solutions saying there is real benefit to getting together with people in the wider industry community and getting to know each other better in an intimate setting.

“We had some ice breaker questions which prompted us to go a bit deeper than the usual, ‘how’s business’ conversations. I’m looking forward to building on this event and creating a vibrant Women in Print community in Perth,” she said.

The series concluded in Sydney, with the event, held at the Boulevard Brasserie at the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park, attracting more than 30 women.

New Queensland and New South Wales patrons announced

The Sydney event provided the stage for the announcement of two new Women in Print patrons.

Karen Lawler, business development manager for Cactus Imaging was named the new patron for NSW, replacing Debbie Burgess. Kerry-Anne Boyd, co-owner of Sign Right Australia, was appointed as Queensland Women in Print patron, which was previously held by Morag Pugh.

According to Gaddin, Lawler and Boyd not only bring their significant talents to their new roles, but also add solid wide-format, sign and graphics credentials to the patron mix, ensuring Women in Print can continue to champion the next wave of women in print, packaging, signage, and broader visual media industry.

In welcoming Lawler to the role for NSW, outgoing NSW patron Debbie Burgess said

her time as patron had been “a pleasure and a privilege”.

“I wish Women in Print nothing but the best, and know it is in supremely good hands,” Burgess said.

Gaddin said both new patrons bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to their roles.

“Karen and Kerry-Anne embody the mission of Women in Print to empower and uplift women in our industry. They led a field of impressive applicants who threw their hats in the ring for these positions, a response which speaks to the enthusiasm and commitment of women within our sector.

“We welcome Karen and Kerry-Anne to the Women in Print executive team and are looking forward to their contribution. With them, and our other amazing committee members, sponsors and supporters, I am confident that 2025 will build on our momentum, fostering an environment that creates tangible benefits for our members and deliver even more value to our community.”

WA Women in Print gathered at the Sassy Cocktail Bar in Perth

Elouise Fawcett, Joy Skeels, Sarah Moore, and Karren Challoner-Miles from Visual Connections

Burgess (Bright Print Group) and Karen Lawler

Julia Ho (Smartech Australia), Ximena Guzman, (Smartech Australia), Shaleen MacGregor (Pakpro), Monica Estigarribia (Smartech Australia) , and Leesa Corbett (Smartech Australia)

Belinda Tanner (Media Super), Charlotte Gorham (POS Visual Solutions), Stephanie Gaddin (Digital Image Magazine), and Kathy Chiang (Southern Impact)

Marisa Smyrneos (Ball & Doggett) and Lisa Michalanney (Signageworld) at The Archer in North Adelaide

Serrato (Finsbury Green), Carolina Gonzalez (Finsbury Green), Sharon Menary

Karagiannis, Victorian Women in Print Patron, Robyn Frampton (Visual Connections) and Stephanie Gaddin (Digital

Debbie

(Cactus Imaging)

Marian Taggart-Holland and Clementine Holland from Ecolease

Sandra

(Access Print)

Sonya Beers, Robyn Slater, Monique Lockington, and Nicole Jandik from IVE Group

Rita

Image Magazine)

Debbie Burgess (Bright Print Group) and Karren ChallonerMiles (Visual Connections)

Verlie Hodgson and Krissy Still from Spotpress

Marisa Smyrneos (Ball & Doggett), Sande Bruce (Newstyle Print), and Sandy Aspinall (Creative Juice)

Sharon Menary (Access Print), Sandy Aspinall (Creative Juice), Diana Nikolic (Ball & Doggett), and Marisa Smyrneos (Ball & Doggett)

Carolina Gonzalez (Finsbury Green), Sandra Serrato (Finsbury Green), Mohini Bankal (MCC Label), Gloria Cruz (MCC Label), Geraldine Baptista (MCC Label)

Gabriella Kangas, Karen Lawler, Rebecca Garcia, Emily Watterson, Prerna Dave, and Muna Koirala from Cactus Imaging

Tania Andraos, Soula Kapakoulakis, Rita Karagiannis, and Tania Andraos from IVE Group were Halloween themed

Sarah Moore (Visual Connections), Debbie Burgess (Bright Print Group), Carmen Ciappara (Printer Media Group), and Nicole Jandik (IVE Group)

Victoria Garry, Marissa Wendie, Que Nhi, Verinia Johnston and Amanda McKenzie from Ball & Doggett

DOWNTIME

Visual Connections CEO Peter Harper bows out to industry acclaim

The print industry gathered in Sydney to officially farewell outgoing Visual Connections CEO Peter Harper after more than 50 years in the print, sign and graphics sector.

The print, sign, and graphics industry gathered in Sydney to celebrate the career of Visual Connections CEO, Peter Harper.

The event, which followed a similar occasion in Melbourne, gave Harper’s industry colleagues and friends the chance to reflect on his many achievements as outlined in a speech from Visual Connections treasurer, and long-time board member, John Wall.

Wall acknowledged Harper’s pivotal role in introducing several new and innovative technologies to Australia, establishing the first sign and graphics trade show and founding its original supplier association.

“Peter’s achievements with Visual Connections are well documented; in fact, it is not a stretch to say that he has helped to write some of the most exciting and significant chapters in the story of our industry.

“These include successful Visual Impact, PacPrint, and PrintEx exhibitions, the ongoing strength of the association’s publications, networking events, sponsorship and grants, and important support for, and collaboration with, our fellow industry associations.”

Wall also made special note of the Sign & Print Career Connections initiative –Harper’s pet project – which has grown into a successful, collaborative program that introduces thousands of students a year to careers in the print, sign and graphics sector.

Wall’s speech was followed by a tribute from Visual Connections GM – exhibition and events, Sarah Moore, on behalf of the Visual Connections team.

“Call it sales, call it persuasion, call it negotiation, call it collaboration –whatever you call it, Peter is a master of the art,” Moore said.

“What many don’t realise, is that Peter leads by example. He is always one of the first on site at trade shows for bump in, and one of the last to leave. He also invariably packs the large crates that take all our organiser goods to our shows. Despite our attempts to get him to share the late nights, early mornings and hard, dirty and physical work with us, he goes to great lengths to protect us from the worst of the job. That is typical Pete – he always puts the needs of others before himself.”

Above all, Moore said, the team valued Harper’s unwavering support, trust and confidence, both personally and professionally.

“Having a boss who backs you, even when things go wrong, is invaluable and is so appreciated by our team,” she says.

Harper said he had enjoyed every one of his 50 years in the sector and, in particular, the past 19 with VISA and Visual Connections.

“I would like to thank the Visual Connections board members, past and present, for the faith they have had in myself and the team at Visual Connections.

“They work very hard behind the scenes, giving up their time to make sure your association stays focused and puts back into our industry.

“While I am looking forward to retirement, I know I will miss getting up and going to work each day. More so, I will miss the Visual Connections team. They are a pleasure to work with and they work hard to make me look good.”

Thanking his wife, Jenny, and children for the support which had underpinned his success, Harper took his leave with a final word of thanks to the industry which has been such a big part of his life.

“Thank you again, everyone,” he said. “Thanks for the memories.”

The Visual Connections Australia team: Karren Challoner-Miles, Joy Skeels, Charly Blades, Michelle Cruise, Peter Harper, Sarah Moore, and Elouise Fawcett The Harper family, Adrian, Elizabeth, Peter, Jenny, Genevieve and Simon

Joy Zheng (ADI Displays), Peter Harper, William Qian, and Glenn Woolfrey from ADI Displays

Luke Wooldridge (HV Graphics Media), Robert Mollee (Kodak Australasia) Russell Cavenagh (Mutoh Australia), and Peter Scott (Screen Australia)

Michael Boogaard (Celmac Australia), Peter Harper, and Jonny Rumney (Celmac Australia)

Tatjana Ferguson (Ball & Doggett), Carmen Ciappara (Printer Media Group) and Karren Challoner-Miles (Visual Connections Australia)

Angus and Glyn Scott (Ball & Doggett), James Cryer (JDA Print Recruitment)

Peter Harper and Brad Creighton (Ball & Doggett)

Brett Wark (Smartech Business Systems), Craig Hardman (HP Australia), Peter Harper, and Jeremy Brew (HP Australia)

Peter Harper and Carmen Ciappara (Printer Media Group) Peter and Jenny Harper

Julie and John Hadfield (Control Zone Online) and William Nasato (Nova Sublimation Australia)

Ryan Warby (Epson Australia), Theo Eleftheriades (Kayell Australia) and Brad Creighton (Ball & Doggett)

Michael Punch (Retiree) and Tina Marvis (AusSip)

Stephen Macquarie (Elanora Signs & Engraving) and John Wall (Roland DG Australia)

Karren Challoner-Miles (Visual Connections Australia) and Peter Harper

Peter Harper and Mel Ireland (LIA Qld)

DOWNTIME

Record crowd attends LIA Victoria open house at Marvel Bookbinding

LIA Victoria hosted an exclusive behind the scenes look at Marvel Bookbinding’s facility, with guests treated to a deep dive into the processes of the West Heidelberg site.

LIA Victoria held its final technical event for 2024, with 38 guests warmly welcomed to Marvel Bookbinding & Print Finishing in West Heidelberg for a tour of the world-class plant.

Marvel Bookbinding & Print Finishing owner Wayne Eastaugh greeted the record crowd, before Marvel staff led groups on an extensive tour of the state-of-the-art facility, which handles everything from folding through to high-end, case-bound books.

Marvel’s expertise and long-established reputation for quality makes it one of Australia’s leading finishing houses. More than 100 jobs can be in progress in the factory at any one time, and with up to 13 processes required for each unit, it makes for a very busy environment.

The expertise of the guides including Wayne Eastaugh, as well as general manager Richard Eastaugh, estimator Jason Spencer, production manager Craig Spencer, and CFO Lea Robinson – led to in-depth discussions as the groups

progressed through the plant. Attendees were so fascinated that the tour ran more than an hour overtime, before the group came together again to share their thoughts, inspect job samples, and network.

Wayne Eastaugh said it was a pleasure to host LIA Victoria’s final technical event for the year.

“It was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and to make some new friends, too, and my team and I really enjoyed educating and promoting the many products and processes that Marvel proudly provides to the printing industry.

“We are very committed to supporting and promoting the industry and were delighted to have the opportunity to partner with LIA for this event. We thank them, and everyone who attended, for allowing us to showcase Marvel,” he said.

LIA Victoria president, Robyn Frampton, said the business is one of the best known

and most well-respected in the industry, describing the tour as a highlight of the year for LIA Victoria.

“It is always great to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at a leading company, and the open house was an absolutely fascinating experience as we learned more about the products and processes that Marvel proudly provides to the printing industry,” she said.

“Marvel has always been committed to supporting and promoting the industry, and I know everyone who attended went home with greater knowledge of what is possible in binding and finishing, and with a huge appreciation for the team’s expertise and experience.

“It is only with the support of companies like Marvel that we are able to offer these opportunities to the people in print, so we extend our very sincere thanks to Wayne, Richard and the team for their hospitality and willingness to share their expertise with us.”

The Marvel team (from left) Jason Spencer, Craig Spencer, Lea Robinson, Richard Eastaugh, and Wayne Eastaugh

From left: David Galbraith (JDA Print Recruitment), Lindsay Banks (LIA Victoria), Rhiannon Jones, Kirsty Woodhead, and Luke Woodhead (Breen Printing), Elizabeth Jansz (Holmesglen TAFE), Robyn Frampton (Visual Connections), Heather Barmbagiannis (Holmesglen TAFE), and James Taylor (Taylor’d Press)

Marvel staff treated attendees to an extensive overview of the facility’s features and equipment

The technical tour drew a record crowd for LIA Victoria

Jason Spencer showcased Marvel’s capabilities

Colemans Printing celebrates 70 years of innovation and sustainability in Northern Australia

One of the longest-running family-owned print businesses in the North, Colemans Printing has celebrated a historic milestone.

Colemans Printing, one of the Northern Australia’s longestrunning print businesses, has celebrated its 70th anniversary.

Founded in 1954 by John ‘Colie’ Coleman, the company has grown from a small family-run business into a leader in Australia’s printing industry, providing cutting-edge digital printing, signage, labels, and traditional printing solutions across the Northern Territory and beyond.

From its origins under Colie Coleman, followed by his son Gary, and now under the leadership of third-generation owners and husband and wife team, Tony and Magdaline Coleman, Colemans Printing has flourished in the harsh Northern Australian climate.

“It’s a proud moment to look back at our family’s business and see how we’ve grown with the community around us,” said Colemans Printing managing director, Tony Coleman.

“We’ve seen Darwin rebuild and grow many times, and we’re honoured to be one of the longest-running family-owned print businesses in the North.”

Colemans Printing has continuously evolved, embracing technological advancements to stay ahead of industry trends.

From high-quality offset and digital printing to digital signage and label production, the business has diversified to meet the unique needs of local and

national clients, delivering superior craftsmanship and reliability under even the most challenging conditions.

“We’ve seen Darwin rebuild and grow many times, and we’re honoured to be one of the longest-running family-owned print businesses in the North.” – Tony Coleman

Located in the CBD, Colemans Printing is a one-stop-shop for digital and offset printing in Darwin. In recent years, Colemans Printing has taken significant steps toward sustainability, reflecting its commitment to a greener future. The company has installed 200kW of solar panels across its facility, contributing to energy efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint.

Magdaline Coleman (Colemans Printing), Lord Mayor of Darwin Kon Vatskalis, Tony Coleman (Colemans Printing), and Chief Minister of the NT Lia Finocchiaro

“Tony and I were both raised up in Darwin and we feel very passionately about progressing the Northern Territory forward,” said Colemans Printing director, Magdaline Coleman.

“As a business, we have always been early adopters, and we’re the only business in the Northern Territory when it comes to a lot of the printing technology that we have.

“We probably have the largest machinery and floor space footprint in Northern Australia and most definitely the state, and are unique as we have creative, digital, offset, signage, and most recently, labels, all under one roof.”

“Our business has always prided itself on ensuring that innovation is at the forefront of our manufacturing capability, and that continues with both signage and labels.” – Magdaline Coleman

Colemans houses the latest range of equipment from leading brands including HP, Heidelberg, Konica Minolta, and Summa.

The company is also proud to be the first in the state to install and operate an HP Indigo 6K digital press, supplied by Currie Group, offering labelling solutions to benefit both the community and the environment.

The HP Indigo 6K digital press has enabled Colemans to support industry needs, including the transition to National Packaging Sustainability Targets, which states that 100 per cent of packaging must be reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.

“Our business has always prided itself on ensuring that innovation is at the forefront of our manufacturing capability, and that continues with both signage and labels,” said Magdaline.

“The HP Indigo Labels press allows us to provide sustainable, bespoke labelling solutions for a wide range of industries,

from small enterprises to primary producers, government and defence.”

Colemans Printing has earned a reputation for its deep understanding of the Northern Territory’s unique logistics and local conditions, enabling the company to deliver high-quality, timely results.

“There’s no place like the North,” Tony said.

“It’s tough, it’s hot, and it’s harsh, but we know this place and its people. We were born and raised here and intend to stay here, delivering great results time after time.”

As Colemans Printing looks to the next 70 years, the company remains focused on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in print, integrating sustainable practices with state-of-the-art technology.

Recent investments in land and equipment, totalling more than $10 million, are testament to the business’ dedication to continued growth and leadership in the industry.

In October 2024, Colemans Printing celebrated its 70th anniversary by officially launching its HP Indigo label press at an event with Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Lia Finocchiaro and Lord Mayor of Darwin Kon Vatskalis in attendance.

The launch not only marks 70 years of excellence for the company, but also symbolises Colemans’ ongoing commitment to leading the Northern Australian printing industry into a brighter future.

In recent years, Colemans Printing has taken significant steps toward sustainability, reflecting its commitment to a greener future

The Colemans team celebrates at the company’s 70th anniversary party

Colemans Printing places highly qualified staff in its production team in Darwin

2024 FESPA Australia Conference: Becoming a future-ready industry

The FESPA Australia Annual Conference delivered thought-provoking sessions to a record number of attendees who gathered under the theme: Transform, Inspire, Lead.

Now in its third year, the FESPA Australia Annual Conference has become a key event in the print and signage industry calendar, dedicated to thought leadership and networking opportunities.

Recently held at the Shangri-La in Sydney, Nigel Davies, president of FESPA Australia, told delegates in his opening address that this year’s conference was centred on knowledge sharing and preparing both businesses and industry for the future.

“The mission of FESPA is to connect, inspire, and support,” Davies said.

“[FESPA’s] global connections provide us with an opportunity to learn first hand about others’ unique experiences, gain fresh perspectives, and foster new ideas.

“In my mind, the work of associations and the networks that they nurture, develop, and support is crucial. It’s clear that individual companies alone will not overcome the challenges we face as an industry. Issues like sustainability demand coordinated action, and it’s only through the collective efforts of passionate individuals working towards a common goal that we can make significant progress.

“We’re heading towards a cliff’s edge on some of the issues that our industry is facing, and sticking our heads in the sand won’t help. For this reason, the FESPA Australia conference will always bring you perspectives on topics such as sustainability, balanced with practical business issues such as succession, sales, and technology.”

Forward thinking

The conference kicked off with keynote speaker Gus Balbontin, a futurist whose dynamic presentation focussed on encouraging innovation and driving change. This was followed by an interactive leadership session facilitated by Balbontin.

Throughout the conference, delegates participated in panel discussions on various topics facilitated by industry experts including succession planning, adapting selling strategies to changed buyer behaviour, and the increasing importance of mandatory climate reporting.

Business adviser Andrew Ash led the first panel session on succession planning strategies. Ash was joined by father and son

This year’s FESPA conference reported record attendance

FESPA AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE 2024

team Stephen and Daniel Lamont from Townsville-based Lamont Print and Signs, as well as Nigel Spicer, general manager of Cactus Imaging, and Nigel Davies, FESPA president and CEO of M-Power Software.

“$3.5 trillion is the amount of wealth that is due to be transferred between generations over the next 20 years in Australia. It’s a huge number, and it’s a huge opportunity as well,” Ash told attendees.

“Forty per cent of businesses successfully transition from the first generation to the second. Only 13 per cent transition to the third generation, and three per cent to the fourth generation.”

According to Ash, business owners that are successful with their transition start with the end in mind.

“Transitioning a business between family members is hard, but I see it as an opportunity. One in four business owners actively considered succession as part of their planning. If you take the time to plan, you’re going to be ahead of the other 75 per cent of business owners,” he said.

“Secondly, they prepare early. And thirdly, business owners that are successful with their succession strategy know the value of communication and culture. It’s great to have a vision for the future, but if your family do not know what your plan is, the chances of the business succeeding diminish.”

Spicer agreed communication is key during an ownership transition.

“One of things that I am most proud of is that we still have most of the team with us from the time that we changed [ownership]. Those that aren’t with us are still in the industry, which is incredibly rewarding for us to see,” he said.

“At the time of the change of ownership, communication with the team explaining what was happening and reassuring them that they were a part of a team that was going to move forward with us was really important.”

Stephen Lamont said culture is the driving force behind the Townsville-based business’ succession plan.

“Succession planning was a reaction for us initially, but it is now part of what we do,” he said.

“We’re currently developing our company culture to ensure that it is so strong that regardless of whether I’m there or Daniel is there, it doesn’t matter – it’s the culture that is going to lead our business.

“We have definitive goals for our leadership team in terms of what they do

FESPA Australia president Nigel Davies reflected on the current trends and challenges in his opening address

Keynote speaker Gus Balbontin

Andrew Ash led a panel session on succession planning strategies

FESPA AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE 2024

within the business and what we need them to be. Our goal now is to make sure staff know and understand our vision for the future.”

Daniel Lamont said succession is discussed weekly.

“Just like we talk about money and stock in our weekly meetings, we talk about what we’re doing with our succession plan,” he said.

Davies added, “The day you start the business, think about getting out of it. You need to pressure test your business all the time to see what it is going to be like without you”.

Innovation and collaboration

Another engaging session was on effective selling principles and how businesses are adapting to today’s customers.

The panel, hosted by Troy Cavanagh, sales director of ImageBox Group, included Mary Leishman, brand director of DRK LBL, Andy Fryer director of Easy Signs, and Keith Ferrel, co-founder and general manager of operations from Cactus Imaging.

While the sales environment has changed dramatically over the last five to 10 years,

with access to information more readily available, and the decision-making process more complex, Ferrel believes the principles of selling haven’t changed.

“The way you sell, how you go about it, and the way you gather information might have changed in recent years, but the principle of sales – preparation, perseverance, getting your facts right, and having the right product to sell – haven’t. Social media has made a difference to how information is gathered, but I think face-to-face selling is still the ultimate, if you can do it,” Ferrel said.

Leishman spoke of the importance of collaborating with clients.

“In sales, you can take two paths – you’re doing it to make the sale, or you’re doing it to solve a problem. Sometimes solving the problem doesn’t mean making the biggest sale you can possibly make in that moment, but it will pay off in the long run by having a client that you build trust,” Leishman said.

“I don’t think there’s any new tactic or skill that you can learn and be instantly good at sales. It’s more how you deliver the communication that has changed and how you use your resources.

“Recently, we’ve been trying to encourage more face-to-face selling. We’re doing a lot

more where we are actively going to [customers] in their space because we’ve found that we can find out more about who they are, what their problems are, and how we solve them by being in their world. We’ve also recently found success in going to our suppliers’ showrooms and meeting our clients there.”

Fryer said the company has a digital first approach when it comes to building trust with customers.

“We employ around 170 people in Sydney and none of them are in sales. We purely sell through our website, so it’s all about online marketing for us. How we build the trust – that would generally be built by having sales people – is digitally. Therefore, for us, it’s about customer reviews, videos, and photos to show our customers our scale, our equipment, and our capabilities,” Fryer said.

The panellists agreed on the importance of continuous sales training and product education.

“Perseverance, product knowledge, and preparation are all qualities of a good salesperson,” said Ferrel.

“Understanding how our technology works and understanding the entire process is important so that when our

The event was hosted by comedian Sam McCool

A sustainability panel examined the upcoming mandatory climate reporting requirements

THE FESPA Australia conference provided networking opportunities throughout the day

A key feature of the FESPA Australia conference is the networking opportunities

FESPA AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE 2024

salespeople are in front of a client, they are armed with as much knowledge as possible.”

Leishman explained: “It’s important for salespeople to know they’re a puzzle piece that’s part of a bigger picture, and that they can really grow in their own success by learning from the team around them.

“Our salespeople are representing us –they’re holding the microphone so to speak – and we want to make sure they’re able to convey the message of why we’re

Delegates participated in panel discussions on various topics including effective selling strategies

doing what we’re doing, and that comes down to training.

“Salespeople can learn from other departments, which will strengthen their skills.”

Leishman said it is important for leaders to tailor their training of salespeople based what on what the individuals’ strengths are.

“Sometimes you need to be flexible in your leadership to help that salesperson achieve their highest potential,” he said.

Sustainability was also on the agenda, with a discussion on mandatory climate reporting requirements with David Walton, CEO of Omnigraphics/MMT Print, and Olivia Tyler, chief people and sustainability officer at IVE Group.

Dr. Toby Ford concluded the day by sharing practical and actionable strategies for managing stress and achieving worklife integration.

Closing the conference, which achieved record attendance, Davies said months of preparation went into selecting topics, content, and speakers.

“We are proud to have delivered an interactive and vibrant conference exploring key industry issues. I am sure everyone who attended took away something to improve their business and personal life – I certainly did.”

Event sponsors included: Diamond sponsor Orafol; Gold sponsors Durst Oceania and Visual Connections; Silver sponsors Cactus Imaging, IVE Group, and Hexis; and Bronze sponsors, Pozitive, Ball & Doggett, HVG Graphics Media, Kissel & Wolf, and Mimaki Australia.

FESPA Australia welcomes next generation of leaders

Justin Kirkland, account manager at Fujifilm Australia, was voted the 2024 FESPA Future Leader, following an intensive two-day Future Leaders workshop.

Preceding the FESPA Australia Annual conference, the FESPA Future Leaders Program is a professional and personal development program to identify and develop emerging leadership talent.

Now in its third year, the program further develops the leadership skills of 12 experienced industry professionals in a two-day intensive workshop facilitated by Carl Harman. To date, the program has had 36 potential leaders undertake its programme.

Lisa Michalanney, co-owner of Signage World in Adelaide received the secondplace nomination. Both Kirkland and

Michalanney will receive subsidised trips to FESPA in Berlin in May 2025.

“The Future Leaders program is one of FESPA Australia’s greatest achievements,” Davies told attendees of the FESPA Australia Annual conference.

“We have three objectives with this program. Our first is to develop the participants’ leadership skills using world-class coaching techniques normally accessible to leading executives.

“The second is to seed networking and relationships between diverse leaders here and internationally. The last is to give the participants a deeper understanding of our industry and the opportunity to contribute to the debate on key issues facing our industry.”

Delegates for this year’s program included: Wayne Costain from DRK LBL, Anna Di Giantomasso from IVE Group, Justin Kirkland from Fujifilm, Mary Kung from Imagebox Group, Christopher La Greca from IVE Group, Lisa Michalanney from Signage World, Will Potts from Tint Design, Rahul Reddy from IVE Group, Peter Smith from HVG Graphics Media, Ben Templeton from Durst Oceania, and Emily Watterson and Chris Williams from Cactus Imaging.

FESPA Future Leaders 2024

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 WINNERS

A massive thank you to our sponsors. Your support for the industry and the ProPrint Awards is greatly appreciated.

MATT ASHMAN

Managing Director, Durst Oceania

Platinum Sponsor 2024 ProPrint Awards

On behalf of Durst Oceania, I would like to congratulate all the nominees and winners of this year’s ProPrint Awards. All of the finalists of this year’s awards are an incredible reflection of the high-calibre of talent that we have within the industry.

The ProPrint Awards has firmly established itself as the premier event for the industry, and we at Durst Oceania are incredibly proud to support once again as Platinum Sponsor.

Business is all about people, no matter what industry, and at Durst, we are committed to fostering the talent of our people and celebrating their successes. We are proud to stand alongside the ProPrint Awards, which share the same commitment. From senior

leaders to rising stars, as well as honouring the legends that have helped shaped the industry to what it is today, the ProPrint Awards recognises the people in our industry at all levels, which is what makes it such a unique event.

As an industry, we have so much to celebrate. The Australian print landscape is vibrant, innovative, and engaging. At Durst, we are driven by our focus for innovation, and we are always looking to the next technology. However, this technology needs to be led by the next generation of innovators, and at this year’s ProPrint Awards, we saw this in our emerging talent more than ever. We look forward to continuing to support and celebrate the industry’s next generation of leaders.

Scan to watch Durst Oceania’s reel featured at the awards

KEITH FERREL

Co-Founder and General Manager of Operations, CACTUS IMAGING

Keith Ferrel co-founded Cactus Imaging, which started in New Zealand in 1992, and has since become known worldwide as a leading grand format production company. After a year in Auckland, Keith relocated from New Zealand to Sydney and established the sales arm of Cactus Imaging Australia. This endeavour was so successful that in 1996, Cactus Imaging established a full-scale production plant in Sydney which is now recognised as one of the world’s leading grand format production companies.

In 2000, Keith was appointed as the Group Sales Director and later as General Manager. He played a pivotal role in establishing Cactus Imaging India in Chennai. Keith has served on the HP Customer Advisory Board and is the Asia Pacific and Japan Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for dscoop Asia Pacific and Japan board and the FESPA Australia board.

Keith is widely recognised in the Asia Pacific region as one of the most influential people in the print industry and has been inducted into the FESPA Hall of Fame. In 2014, Keith was awarded the FESPA World Printer of the Year and in 2021 he received the Media Super Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, in 2022, Keith was recognised as winning the Printer 50 category at the ProPrint Awards and in 2023, he was runner-up.

“Keith is widely recognised in the Asia Pacific region as one of the most influential people in the print industry.”

2024 PRINTER 50

A peer-voted award recognising the senior leaders and innovators of the Australian printing industry

Dayne Nankervis

CEO | CMYKHUB

Dayne Nankervis is recognised for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to business improvement which has propelled CMYKhub to become a cornerstone of the Australian print industry. Dayne’s strategic investments have been instrumental in this success, launching label printing and expanding wide format capacity with new equipment across all five locations. By consistently investing in cutting-edge technologies, Dayne has empowered more than 5000 printers nationwide with access to the best equipment. His dedication to innovation and fostering a collaborative environment has solidified CMYKhub’s position as an industry leader, making Dayne a driving force in shaping the future of print in Australia.

Nigel Spicer

General Manager | CACTUS IMAGING

Nigel Spicer is a strong business leader and highly respected in the industry. Under his leadership, Cactus Imaging has continued to strengthen with the addition of new capability enhancements. Nigel has also been the driving force behind the world-first Eco Banner innovation – Australia’s first 100 per cent recyclable billboard. In addition to that, his day job, which is the day-to-day management of Cactus Imaging, has been handled with the utmost professionalism. In 2022, Nigel received the Excellence in Innovation Award from the Outdoor Media Association (OMA) for the development of the Eco Banner. Nigel is committed to lifting the print industry’s profile by always looking out for new opportunities through technology and automation.

Matt Aitken

Managing Director | IVE GROUP

In 2006, Adam Parnell and Andy Fryer launched Easy Signs, and since adopting an online sales model, have transformed a humble start-up into a thriving industry leader. Under their leadership, the company operates out of an impressive facility in Sydney, and has expanded to Pennsylvania, USA. Combined, they employ a workforce of more than 220 people. With a strong technical background, Adam and Andy continually invest in the latest state-of -the-art machinery to ensure Easy Signs supplies consistent, high-quality products to its customers at the lowest cost. Their aim is to reduce the cost of local manufacturing to return work to Australian shores. Adam and Andy were named the winners of the ProPrint Awards Printer 50 category in 2023. 2 4 3 5

Matt Aitken is recognised for leading Australia’s largest diversified marketing company, IVE Group. In the last five years under Matt’s leadership IVE has grown by more than $250 million to a $1 billion company, employing 2000 staff across Australia. In the last 12 months, Matt and the IVE team have completed the integration of the Ovato acquisition, executed its move into the folding carton packaging sector through the acquisition of JacPak, and acquired independent advertising and content agency, Elastic. Most importantly, Matt was steadfast in his leadership of IVE through the passing of its Executive Chairman, Geoff Selig in May 2024. Matt is well regarded by those in and outside of IVE, and for his contributions both within the industry.

Adam Parnell & Andy Fryer

Directors | EASY SIGNS

Nina Nguyen

Founder | PAKKO

Nina Nguyen is the founder of Pakko – an Australian owned company with a vision to be the world’s most versatile cardboard manufacturer. Over the past 12 months, Nina has successfully led the acquisition of several smaller industry players, including the integration of Boxes R Us into Pakko. Nina’s development of Pakko’s proprietary IDP/ES System technology is a prime example of how she has pushed the boundaries of what print can achieve. Nina also recently expanded the business internationally, with a particular focus on entering the UAE and European markets. Nina is described by her peers as embodying visionary leadership as well as delivering an unwavering commitment to excellence in the packaging and printing industry.

Yianni Moratidis

Director | GENR8 PRINTING

Frank Mezo

Managing Director | MEZOGRAPHIC

8 7 9

Yianni Moratidis is an innovator and systems thinker who is dedicated to optimising processes and elevating efficiency in business operations. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for technology-driven solutions, he has transformed traditional printing workflows, integrated automation, and advanced project management tools to streamline production cycles and improve delivery times. Yianni consistently seeks new ways to enhance customer experience and reduce waste, both in time and materials. Always on the lookout for new trends, Yianni stays ahead of the curve, exploring the latest in printing technologies such as digital solutions, eco-friendly practices, and customisable options that cater to evolving client needs.

Rodney Frost has worked in the print and communications industry since 1996. In addition to 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 VMA post the merger of TRMC and 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 businesses with sound and considered advice. Over the past 12 months, Lamson Group has invested a lot of working capital into paper following the Maryvale Mill closing, to ensure it plays a part to help its partners. 6

Frank Mezo has a reputation as someone who can ‘get things done’. Mezographic has a strong focus on sustainability initiatives with the recent installation of its second 100KW solar energy system. Mezographic also carries the Finsbury three-star environmental rating and offsets all its operational carbon. Frank constantly invests in new equipment and technologies in the large format print space. Frank recently purchased a Durst P5 350 HS D4 with full automation – the first of its kind in Australia, as well as a swissQprint Kudu. This new kit, along with Mezographic’s existing equipment is housed in the company’s new neighbouring facility. Frank is a member of FESPA Australia and regularly attends overseas trade shows to stay abreast of what’s new in the industry.

Rodney Frost

CEO | LAMSON PARAGON GROUP

Kirsten Taylor

Director | TAYLOR’D PRESS

After entering the print industry more than 20 years ago, Kirsten Taylor’s passion for creativity and education has enriched her growth process. Kirsten’s commitment to the ‘craft’ of print, and to the industry has been described as an uplifting experience. Kirsten has completed leadership training with Women & Leadership Australia, obtained her Certificate III in Printing & Graphic Arts, and is completing a Bachelor of Psychology. Kirsten recently completed her Mental Health First Aid certification. Kirsten is currently Chair of PacPrint25. Her business, which is co-owned with her husband James, sees its doors open to University and TAFE students to assist in the education of print and production.

Debbie Burgess & John Bright

Joint Managing Directors | BRIGHT PRINT GROUP

This brother and sister team are fourth generation printers, and they well and truly have print in their veins. Debbie Burgess and John Bright are both recognised for their commitment to their 61-year-old successful family business and its mission to provide high quality print and environmental standards. They also support the industry more broadly through Debbie’s recent 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 and supports many charities through volunteer programs and donations.

Romeo Sanuri

Managing Director | NEXT PRINTING

Romeo Sanuri transitioned from IT to print 20 years ago and is a thoughtful and collaborative leader who enjoys working with others to find the best solutions. He sees competition and collaboration as integral for the industry as otherwise there would be a monopoly, which he says would not benefit anyone. Sustainability is a key focus with Reboard technology adopted by the business almost 10 years ago. Seeing major brands and agencies embrace paper and cardboard instead of plastics has fuelled the growth of Next Printing. The company recently won the Global FESPA Silver Award in Munich for its sustainability stand design for the Clarins Pop-Up Store.

Ewen Donaldson

Director | VIVAD

Ewen Donaldson is the Founder and Managing Director of Vivad, which started operating in 1999. In Ewen’s words: “this industry provides an endless source of inspiration. Every day brings new opportunities to be creative and make a contribution”. For the last 25 years, the Vivad team has had a purpose to leave every situation better than when they found it. Specialising in supplying the trade with large format digital printing on fabrics, rigids, and roll-to-roll, Vivad recently developed its own web-toprint portal that has been built from the ground up with the user in mind. Vivad offers a wide range of standard display systems as well as bespoke projects for customers’ unique ideas. 10 12 11 13

Leon Wilson

Director/Passionate Print Geek | REVOLUTION

PRINT

Leon Wilson is a dedicated print innovator on a mission to help shape the future of the industry. Leon’s global search for cutting-edge practices, equipment, and sustainable solutions reflects his commitment to excellence in print. Leon’s passion extends beyond the technical realm; he also leads with a strong focus on mental health advocacy. He invests in others by nurturing their growth, sharing his experiences, and creating safe spaces for them to take calculated risks. Leon is not only transforming the print industry with world-class practices but also exemplifying exceptional leadership.

Paul Wilcockson

Production Director | JCDECAUX GROUP

Paul Wilcockson previously worked as NSW Operations Manager for Sema, COO at Dashing Group, and is now Production Director at JCDecaux/GSP Print. With a wealth of industry experience, Paul has honed his skills on leading complex transformations, stakeholder management, and achieving successful outcomes. He is proficient in financial management, risk analysis, and team leadership. Paul has transitioned the company’s print operations to renewable energy sources and is an advocate for eco-friendly materials. His print journey involves elevating print’s importance, championing sustainability, and propelling progress.

Marcus

Marchant

CEO | VISTAPRINT

With more than 30 staff, Carbon8 is a blend of makers, thinkers, and creators. Peter Musarra and Kenneth BeckPedersen channel decades of experience through state-of-the-art facilities to offer more than just print – by creating tactile experiences that resonate. Peter is known for his meticulous attention to detail as well as his depth of knowledge, and dependability. He excels in managing complex jobs with intense deadlines. Kenneth is an innovator and leader and has dedicated two decades to printing, steering Carbon8 with relentless ambition and a vision for achieving the extraordinary. 14 16 15 17

Marcus Marchant has shown great expertise and displayed exemplary leadership skills as Vistaprint CEO Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Marcus brings to the table a thoughtful approach to leadership and is proactive in working with colleagues and takes the time to understand and hear them out. Whether it’s working internally or externally, Marcus looks to be a hands-on leader which exemplifies his core values. Marcus is also known for his passion in his community with several initiatives aimed to promote diversity and inclusion in workplaces.

Peter Musarra & Kenneth Beck-Pedersen

Co-Directors | CARBON8

Jason Turvill

Operations Manager | EASY SIGNS

Jason Turvill stumbled into the print industry after a stint at university studying engineering and has since worn almost every hat available at Easy Signs – working his way up from customer service to operations manager. He has a passion for technology and innovation, advancing all aspects of the product offerings at Easy Signs, investing in new technologies and ideas to push the print industry forward in sustainability. Jason’s achievements include the planning and execution of the manufacturing site fit out in the USA Easy Signs business, as well as managing the customer service, graphic design, marketing, and software development team at Easy Signs. He has also achieved his biggest single objective since the inception of Easy Signs – 500 jobs a day on average.

Jamie & Jason Xuereb

Co-Founders | MEDIAPOINT

The Xuereb brothers started Mediapoint in 2006, with the business now servicing more than 1000 resellers annually. Their biggest achievements in the last 12 months have been the implementation of new product lines involving its revolutionary label setup and also its Durst P5 350 HS D4 fully automated flatbed printer. The duo is not only committed to lifting the profile of the print industry through innovation, support, and sustainability, but are also actively driving their business and the industry forward. This progressive and forward-thinking approach ensures that Mediapoint remains a leader in the industry, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in print.

Marty West

Managing Director | BLUEPRINT DIGITAL

Michael Nankervis is the Managing Director of Onpack – a specialised labels and packaging business established in 2017. The company has grown significantly in the past seven years in self-adhesive labels and more recently diversified into direct printing onto aluminium beverage cans. Michael and the entire Nankervis family are great ambassadors for the print industry, guiding a number of successful businesses that focus on future investment and development. Michael regularly hosts printers from around the country to share his advice and insights. Michael has focused on lean manufacturing at all times, with this being the best strategy to promote environmental sustainability. 18 20 19 21

Marty West has lived and breathed his family business since he was old enough to fold screen printed T-shirts at four years old. He joined Blueprint Digital part time in 1998, and transitioned to full time after high school, learning all facets of the business, from pre-press, to printing, pressing, cutting and sewing. Three years ago, he took over from his father as Managing Director. Blueprint Digital has always been a trade fabric printer, morphing from screen printing T-shirts to dye sublimation promotional products, to the current wide format, state-of-the-art production facility producing soft signage. Throughout all the challenges and growth, Marty has always maintained the family ethos of loyalty, quality, reliability, and speedy lead times.

Michael Nankervis

Managing Director | ONPACK

Kirsty & Luke Woodhead

Owners | BREEN PRINTING

Kirsty and Luke Woodhead share an unwavering passion for the printing industry and its people. Together, they are dedicated to creating quality, innovative solutions for their clients while also sharing their enthusiasm for print with the wider community. Over the past five years, they have shown resilience, overcoming challenges faced by many like-minded small businesses. Today, with a business that employs 15 staff, they are focused on growth and are investing in new technologies, as well as in their team. They are also focusing on adapting sustainable practices. Kirsty and Luke recently secured a second site in Healesville that will be crucial for the next stage of growth, allowing the business to invest further in finishing and wide-format machinery.

James Taylor Director | TAYLOR’D PRESS

24

James Taylor is entering his 30th year with Taylor’d Press, a business he founded and started from his parents’ garage. James’ passion, dedication, and understanding of print is contagious and he is an exceptional advocate who inspires students to join the print industry. Sharing his knowledge attained from his years of printing, James and the Taylor’d Press team also host open houses with university and TAFE colleges across design and print. Forever generous with his time to educate, James is completing his T&A at RMIT so he can bring his knowledge to the classroom. Working as a teacher and assessor with new apprentices, he is excited to propel the growth of apprenticeships and collaborate with industry to make print more visible for future careers.

Aaron Lusch

23

General Manager | PLATYPUS PRINT PACKAGING

Aaron Lusch is recognised for his leadership at Platypus Print Packaging and his strategic focus on advancing the company’s position in the sustainable fibre packaging industry. Over the past 12 months, Platypus has concentrated on significant IT developments to provide valuable data for informed business decision-making and has prioritised automation improvements to enhance production output. These initiatives are aimed at ensuring that Australian manufacturing remains competitive. Notably, Platypus Print Packaging is the largest printing company in Queensland. In 2022, Platypus Print Packaging successfully acquired the packaging business of catalogue and magazine printer, Ovato.

Mariano Imbrioscia

Operations Production Manager | VIVAD

Originally from Buenos Aires, Mariano Imbrioscia began his career as a graphic designer and quickly developed a passion for large format digital printing. In 2002, he moved to Australia, where he has continued to excel in the industry for more than two decades. Since 2016, Mariano has been an integral part of Vivad, where his expertise and dedication continue to drive innovation and success. Mariano has been described by his staff and peers as a mentor, helping staff achieve their career aspirations and assisting them to become professionally successful. Mariano has been acknowledged for identifying potential in future leaders and has nurtured this talent to help them grow and develop by passing on important skills and knowledge. 22

25

Andrew Crump

Operations Director | PEACOCK

BROS

Andrew Crump has played a pivotal role in the label industry for many years, managing operations across multiple plants, whilst onboarding a number of print businesses to enhance the Peacock Bros brand. As a fifth-generation member of the Peacock family, print has always been a part of his life. Andrew has been a strong advocate of digital technologies, bringing innovation to the industry through new applications and printing techniques. Andrew has also been instrumental in putting Peacock Bros on the map as one of the largest privately-owned label businesses in the region, with recent acquisitions of Insignia Labels and AMR Hewitts, seeing the business enter the folding carton and flexibles space.

Angelo Varnakulasingham

Senior Overseer | CORRECTIVE SERVICES

INDUSTRIES PRINT

Angelo Varnakulasingham has more than 40 years of screen printing and large format printing experience and is passionate about training others in the printing trade. Angelo mentors inmates that would have never considered printing as a trade before they leave custody and become successful printers for small businesses. After 11 years at Long Bay, he has developed the workshop to a fully functional printing business with modernised technology and equipment. This has greatly increased productivity of 30 inmates producing a range of products from graphic design artwork, signage on acrylic, timber, or metal; promotional merchandise and more.

Andrew Hall

Managing Director | FACTORY ONE

Andrew Hall has been in the print and signage industry for 15 years. Since taking the reins of Factory One six years ago, Andrew has continued the celebrated reputation the business has built over the years while implementing new processes based on his own experience and success in the industry. He has quadrupled the turnover of the business, achieving 38 per cent growth last year, and brought on several blue-chip clients, such as Lion Co, Western Union, and Camera House. Andrew attributes much of this incredible achievement to his team since he believes that people are the core of a business. Factory One has also recently relocated to premises three times larger than before as it continues to expand and grow.

Cliff Brigstocke

CEO - Production & Distribution | IVE GROUP

Cliff Brigstocke is recognised for his long-standing senior leadership in the industry and enduring passion for print. Cliff was integral in the acquisition of Active Display Group and AFI Branding, a move which has expanded IVE Group’s footprint in the market. Cliff is equally passionate about strategic supply partnerships and in addition to his day job, has responsibility for group procurement at IVE Group. Cliff along with senior colleagues, work closely with large and small strategic suppliers alike and enjoy identifying and implementing new technology with the ultimate aim of driving customer value and efficiencies for IVE Group, particularly as the company continues to diversify.

Clinton Daley

Managing Director | VALIANT PRESS

Clinton Daley is a fourth-generation printer and is a Director of the NewLitho Group encompassing NEO, NEO NSW, Eastern Press, and Valiant Press. In 2024, Valiant Press moved from its long-time Ringwood home to a new state-of-the-art secure facility, increasing the group’s footprint in Mulgrave to 11,500m². Investment in new machinery continues to be the company’s focus, with the company entering a new significant round of capex investment. Valiant Press is also a member of the International Printers Network (IPN), the world’s foremost global alliance of leading printing, visual communications, and graphic arts companies.

David Walton

CEO

OMNIGRAPHICS AUSTRALIA & MMT PRINT

David Walton was appointed CEO of Omnigraphics and MMT Print in October 2022 and at under 35 years of age, acquired both businesses from QMS in June 2023. Since the purchase, David has invested in eight new pieces of print hardware and the business has achieved more than 30 per cent year-on-year revenue growth in the first 12 months. David is also co-founder of Climate One, which aims to eliminate PVC ending up in landfill. To date Climate One has collected 120 tonnes of soft PVC waste – this includes end of life billboards, signage, shade sails and awnings, various other soft PVC products and offcuts from Omnigraphics and MMT Print.

Dan Bodey

Operations

Manager | BOOM STUDIOS

Dan Bodey is described as admirable in his personality and care towards work, clients and team, as he is excellent in his epic signage skillsets. Having worked in the industry for 15 years, Dan has picked up a strong drive and ability to build anything, source anything, print anything and make anything – a tenacity that led him right into the Boom Studios doors, a production company that turns bold creative briefs into epic retail and brand experience spaces. With this background, Dan is now driving key projects around progressive material development and R&D around alternate build methods for improved quality and design-for-disassembly.

Dean Boceski

Managing Director | RAINBOW INDUSTRIES

Dean Boceski is a second-generation printer and a former LIA Graduate of the Year. He started working in the family business while still at school. He now runs the company, where wide format latex print has been embraced and specialities such as signage and a CNC router, have been added. Rainbow Industries became the second company in the country to install an HP Latex 700W because of the waterbased inks and HP’s commitment to sustainability, with this install led by Dean. He continues to test new medias and hopes to take on direct to rigid substrates in the future, enhancing Rainbow Industries’ go-to-market offering in the advertising and marketing space.

Dominic Borrello

Co-Founder | IMAGEBOX GROUP

In 1988, Dominic Borrello co-founded ImageBox which quickly evolved from a commercial photographic laboratory to a prominent leader in digital large format printing. After 35 years, Dominic is still passionate and actively involved with clients, oversees daily operations, and drives equipment innovation to simplify and automate with the latest digital and technological printing platforms, ensuring ImageBox remains at the industry forefront. His growth-oriented vision has led to strategic expansions and investments, enabling the company to offer diverse products and cutting-edge solutions to a growing client base. With a great team of skilled and dedicated staff, Dominic’s commitment to excellence and efficiency keeps a sharp focus on the needs of clients.

Holly Masters

Director | MORGAN PRINTING

Holly Masters oversees all the operational aspects at Morgan Printing, managing finance, new business ventures, and handling the creative dimensions of marketing, web, and social media. Since purchasing the company in 2013 with her husband Tony, Holly has committed to sharing the artistry of print and its place as a marketing and communication method. From an extensive corporate background to family business ownership, Holly brings a fresh approach and representation of small businesses and print communication to her clients. Looking ahead, Holly aspires to broaden Morgan Printing’s clientele, showcasing the diverse printing capabilities the company offers. Holly is an active member of multiple community committees.

Glenn Moffatt

Production Manager | CACTUS IMAGING

Glenn Moffatt has been Production Manager at Cactus Imaging for more than seven years. In that time, he has taken the company’s production efficiencies to another level. His attention to detail and the acceptance that only the best will do has certainly rubbed off on his staff who all take great pride in their work. Glenn is regarded as a major part of the Cactus Imaging management team and is known to be extremely reliable. Glenn is fully committed to lifting print’s profile by always looking out for new opportunities through technology and automation. Glenn is recognised for his extraordinary knowledge, which has proved to be a huge asset to Cactus Imaging. He also participated in the FESPA Future Leaders program last year.

James Sultana

Owner | GRAND PRINT SERVICES

James Sultana is well regarded in the industry as a trade printer producing signage for national campaigns who has been in business now for eight years. Based near Wollongong on the South Coast of NSW, James supplies to many large print businesses in Sydney and nationwide. James has 17 years of industry experience specialising in the grand format and display markets. James prides himself on doing anything it takes to ensure client deadlines are met and quality products are produced. To continue to support his clients, James is always on the lookout for the latest technologies and is constantly reinvesting in the newest machinery. The newest addition being an automated finishing machine that will speed up taping processes to get jobs into market quicker.

Karen Lawler

Sales Manager | CACTUS IMAGING

Since starting at Cactus Imaging in 2017, Karen Lawler has worked at building strong relationships with her peers and clients. Karen often goes above and beyond for her client base, considering many of them now friends. She is diligent, a bit of a perfectionist and likes to over-deliver on expectations. Cactus Imaging’s journey into environmental sustainability is something Karen loves to champion, promoting green options to her clients at every opportunity. She is also passionate about projects that promote Cactus Imaging as well as the print industry overall. Karen hopes to be able to inspire more women and young people to be involved in the print industry through growing print’s profile on social media.

Michael Hawkins

General

Manager

| HAWK PRINT

Michael Hawkins’ career in print began in 1994 as an apprentice, where he honed his skills in screen printing and stencil preparation. Michael then moved into signage and fabricating, print manager and installer roles. His passion led to the creation of Hawk Print. Under Michael’s leadership, Hawk Print has become renowned for its high-quality, cutting-edge digital print services and innovative signage solutions. His commitment to excellence has driven the company’s success, establishing it as a trusted partner for shopping centres and businesses seeking standout visual communications. Beyond the business, Michael enjoys sharing his knowledge through mentorship.

Melissa Marshall Director | SIGNARAMA TUGGERAH

Melissa Marshall is director of NSW Central Coast print service provider, Signarama Tuggerah. Melissa and her husband Gary acquired the business in early 2019, bringing with them a passion for print, and a new business outlook. Keeping members of the original team and continuing to support local talent in the print industry, they strengthened their expertise and application options. Melissa has since become a significant voice in the print industry, educating business leaders on the benefits of sustainable signage. Her team’s efforts have influenced industry wide adoption of better practices and prevented thousands of tonnes of waste from going to landfill. Melissa is also chair of the Signarama Adfund and a major contributor to the print industry.

Michael Jenkins Director | LITTLE PRINT

Michael Jenkins is the owner of Little Print, a leading Melbourne-based print company known for its innovation and customer-first approach. With more than a decade of experience, Michael has transformed Little Print into a fullservice provider, spearheading the development of automation and web-to-print solutions. His leadership has driven the creation of several sub-brands, including diecutstickers.com.au, and custom-built production workflows that streamline operations. A strong advocate for sustainability and industry growth, Michael is passionate about integrating technology to improve efficiency and mentoring upcoming talent in the print sector.

Pranil Chandra

General Manager | NEXT PRINTING

With more than 20 years of experience in the print industry, Pranil Chandra has established himself as a key driver of profitable business growth. At Next Printing, he has played a key role in successfully transforming the company from a traditional wide-format printer into a leader in sustainable print and event activation solutions. This strategic pivot has led to a remarkable threefold increase in revenue from sustainable print solutions, underscoring his sharp market insight and strategic foresight. Additionally, Pranil has been instrumental in launching the now-thriving labels division, which has quickly emerged as a significant contributor to the company’s overall success.

Simon Carmody

Managing Director | SPOT

PRODUCTIONS

Over the last four decades, Simon Carmody has worked through all levels of production and management to become the business owner he is today. He 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. Simon now employs 90 staff and is humbled by the ongoing support of national clients. He is also a strong voice for the industry and has been a board member of the Print & Visual Communication Association. Simon is known as someone who is happy to help others and enjoys arranging industry charity events.

Samantha Bailey-Jensen

Director | BAILEY PRINT

GROUP

Samantha Bailey-Jensen has more than 25 years of experience in the wide format printing industry and is widely recognised for her passion and commitment to delivering outstanding visual solutions for businesses. As the co-leader of Bailey Print Group, alongside her brother Peter Bailey, Samantha has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise. Together, they drive the company’s growth through continuous innovation, embracing new technologies, product developments, and sustainability initiatives to ensure they provide efficient, high-quality, and exceptional service. Samantha is an active member of Business South Bank and a valued business partner to the Brisbane Economic Development Board.

Simon Pugh

Managing Director | QLM GROUP

Simon Pugh is CEO and majority shareholder of QLM Label Makers, one of Asia- Pacific’s largest label and packaging companies. QLM began in 1974 as a small family business and in 2002, Simon took over the management and ownership. The company has since embarked on a continued growth strategy which now sees it operating two manufacturing facilities in Australia with sales offices in every mainland state, as well as manufacturing in five countries including Malaysia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Simon has spent more than 35 years working to develop the standard of accessibility for label printing in Australia and Asia Pacific. He is passionate about the importance of values underpinning the engagement of its team and company stakeholders.

Stephen Lamont

Managing Director | LAMONT PRINT + SIGNS

With 25 years of experience as a qualified tradesman in signage production, Stephen Lamont has successfully guided Lamont Print + Signs to become Northern Australia’s sole super wide format (over 100-inch) trade supplier for the signage industry. Stephen is recognised for his dedication to elevating the profile of print and supporting fellow printers. He has been described as unwavering in his commitment to lifting the profile of print and driving business innovation. Through the annual VIBE business conference, Stephen also offers business coaching to help sign companies grow. The company’s recent expansion, which includes new facilities and state-of-the-art printing equipment, is a testament to his dedication to continuous improvement and innovation.

Stuart Gittus

Print Manager | IVE GROUP

Stuart Gittus has been described as a seasoned expert in the print industry, serving as the General Manager of Print at IVE Group, one of Australia’s leading print and communications providers. With decades of experience under his belt, Stuart has established himself as a key figure in the industry, known for his strategic vision, operational expertise, and commitment to innovation. Stuart is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s print production, from planning and strategy to execution and delivery. Under his leadership, the print division has continued to thrive, delivering a wide range of products including catalogues, magazines, direct mail, and point-of-sale materials, all tailored to meet the specific needs of IVE Group’s clients.

Steven Power

Print Manager | MSP PHOTOGRAPHY

Stephen Power has worked in the print industry for 36 years. At MSP Photography, he has progressed through supervisor roles to Print Manager/Site Technician where he is responsible for the management as well as maintenance and resolution of technical issues in the print departments. His unwavering commitment to the print trade has not only propelled the success of the companies he has worked with but have also enriched the entire industry. Throughout his tenure with MSP Photography, Stephen has demonstrated exceptional expertise in every facet of printing. Stephen is also committed to helping others within the industry. He is a mentor to many, known for his vast knowledge and expertise.

Sue Waite

Sales Manager - Signage & Large Format KWIK KOPY AUSTRALIA

A dedicated and passionate print industry enthusiast, boasting more than 30 years of active engagement within the industry, Sue Waite has worked with Kwik Kopy Australia for 24 years and another eight years managing three Sydney CBD centres. Sue’s current role has involved pioneering the relatively new domain for Kwik Kopy of large format and signage which has resulted in impressive expansion within the business. This has meant a keen focus on fostering strong relationships by collaborating closely with suppliers, Kwik Kopy centre owners and staff. Beyond her print passions, Sue has also broadened her career and personal outlooks through extensive volunteerism.

Susan Davies

Chief Operating Officer | MSP PHOTOGRAPHY

Susan Davies has been an integral part of MSP Photography’s print facility for 13 years. In her current role, Susan oversees a state-of-the-art printing facility that serves as the backbone for Australia’s largest school photography provider. Susan’s responsibilities encompass the full spectrum of business operations, including production, printing, quality control, supply chain management, human resources, recruitment, training, workplace health and safety, compliance, and finance. She also plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and managing the expectations of 25 franchise businesses nationwide. Susan has also made it a priority to support and advocate for the advancement of women and individuals from various cultural backgrounds in the print industry.

Congratulations and well done to Keith Ferrel and the Printer 50 winners!

Check out the full 2024 ProPrint Awards photo gallery featuring attendees and winners from the unforgettable gala event in the February 2025 edition!

PETER HARPER

Outgoing CEO, Visual Connections

Outgoing CEO of Visual Connections Peter Harper was honoured with this year’s Industry Achievement Award.

Now in its third year, the Industry Achievement Award honours an individual with more than 25 years of experience. The recipient of the Industry Achievement Award will have made a significant contribution to the industry beyond their own business. The winner is judged by the 2023 Printer 50 Top 10 and platinum sponsor, Durst Oceania.

Harper, who founded the original sign industry supplier association 30 years ago and has been at the helm of Visual Connections for the past 18 years, announced his retirement in July, bringing to a close a career of more than 50 years in the print, sign, and graphics sector.

INDUSTRY AWARD ACHIEVEMENT

Harper said he was honoured to receive the Industry Achievement Award following the calibre of past winners.

“I’ve been humbled by the hundreds of best wishes and kind words that I have received over the last few months since I announced my retirement in July,” Harper said.

“I seriously don’t believe that I should be mentioned in the same category as previous winners like Peter Clark and the great Geoff Selig.

“I’ve been in this industry for some 50 years now and I have truly enjoyed every one of those years. Like all of us, we have our ups and downs in our career, but I don’t think I would have changed anything, including the last 18 years that I have been part of the supplier

“I’ve been in this industry for some 50 years now and I have truly enjoyed every one of those years. Like all of us, we have our ups and downs in our career, but I don’t think I would have changed anything.”

associations, first with VISA and then with Visual Connections,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to retirement, but I know I will miss of all this. I would like to thank the Visual Connections board, past and present. These people work very hard behind the scenes and give up their valuable time to give back into the industry.

“I would also like to thank my team at Visual Connections. I have worked with some great people over the years but none better than the ones I work with today.

“Finally, I would like to thank my family. They are my rock and I’m certainly looking forward to spending a lot more time with my wife Jenny, my four children, and my six grandchildren. Thank you very much for this award. I’m honoured, and thanks for the memories.”

2024 INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

In recognition of an outstanding achiever in print

SILVER SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSOR

CLIMATE ONE

”Officially launched this year, Climate One was created to avoid putting PVC into landfill by recycling end of life soft PVC. Utilising world-first technology, Climate One’s mechanical separation recycling process, located at its Queensland factory, is able to recycle billboards printed on PVC banner and save them from going into landfill.“

Climate One, an Australian initiative aimed at reducing PVC waste, took out the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award at the 2024 ProPrint Awards.

The Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award is awarded to a company that is undertaking sustainable practices within their organisation, using sustainable materials, or has achieved specific sustainability benchmarks or improvements over the last 12 months.

In Australia, the soft PVC industry disposes of 22,000 tonnes of waste into landfill annually, with the advertising and media segment contributing more than 1,500 tonnes of this, with an estimated 115,000 tonnes of soft PVC in circulation.

Officially launched this year, Climate One was created to avoid putting PVC into landfill by recycling end of life soft PVC. Utilising world-first technology, Climate One’s mechanical separation recycling process, located at its Queensland factory, the company is able to recycle billboards printed on PVC banner and save them from going into landfill.

Climate One’s patented technology and process has also been third-party verified by the globally recognised accreditation company, Global Greentag. Media agencies nationally and several large out of home providers have shown immediate support for the initiative mClimate One is now quoting recycling as an option for all out of home billboard

campaigns for Dentsu and other wellknown agency groups. Climate One has also recycled and booked campaigns for Woolworths, Dan Murphy’s, Mercedes, TAC, Milkrun, Medibank, Nike, and Taxibox.

“We launched nine months ago and since then we have seen continuous support from the output companies, agencies, printers, and suppliers,” said David Walton.

“We have managed to collect around 120 tonnes so far, and we are looking to continue developing our output of products that we’re recycling. We’re also working with the University of Queensland to develop a closed loop banner solution, hopefully in the near future.”

2024 SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

In recognition of outstanding achievement in sustainability

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

JACINTA ALLEN

Graphics Prepress Coordinator, Breen Printing

Jacinta Allen, graphics prepress coordinator at Breen Printing, was named the recipient of the inaugural Geoff Selig scholarship.

Geoff Selig, who tragically passed away earlier this year, was the former executive chairman of IVE Group.

The scholarship is dedicated to Selig’s passion for encouraging emerging talent within the industry, and his desire to see people grow and thrive as well as the enjoyment he received from seeing people develop and succeed.

The scholarship provides a financial value of up to $10,000 for personal and professional development and is funded jointly by ProPrint and IVE Group.

The scholarship is one of three created by IVE Group in Selig’s honour. Two other scholarships have been created for IVE Group staff on an annual basis.

All finalists for this year’s 2024 ProPrint Awards Emerging 50 category (excluding IVE staff) were eligible to enter, and were

GEOFF SCHOLARSHIP SELIG

“I’m delighted to have been chosen for such a special award. I’m passionate about helping evolve the print industry through the latest innovations and new practices to keep us relevant and competitive.”

asked to answer three questions based on how the financial award will improve themselves, their employer, and the industry as a whole.

“Geoff was third generation from the Selig family in our business and he was a pioneer in the industry for over 40 years,” said IVE Group managing director, Matt Aitken, at the ProPrint Awards.

“IVE would not be where it is today without Geoff’s vision, courage, and passion for our people, our staff, and our clients. Geoff brought passion, commitment, and energy. He was a true visionary in our industry. He cared deeply about all people, particularly our staff, and was an incredible leader, colleague, mentor, and a friend to many.”

ProPrint and Printer Media Group managing director, James Wells, said the large volume of scholarship applications from the Emerging 50 nominees made the judging process very difficult.

“It was clear, however, upon closer examination that Jacinta’s short-term and

medium-term career aspirations represented the most comprehensive list of activities supporting the growth of herself and her employer in both a personal and professional capacity Congratulations Jacinta on behalf of the ProPrint team.

You are a truly worthwhile recipient of the inaugural Geoff Selig Scholarship.”

Jacinta Allen said: “I’m delighted to have been chosen for such a special award. I’m passionate about helping evolve the print industry through latest innovations and new practices to keep us relevant and competitive. I’m also keen to further explore the effects our industry has on the environment and how we can implement more sustainable practices moving forward. I plan to visit industry leaders in Japan like Fujifilm, Konica Minolta, and Canon to learn more about the technology and machinery they’re using, what they’re planning on introducing and where they stand on sustainability. It means a lot to me to now be able to bring back information and knowledge on their practices to benefit both my workplace and the wider industry.”

Proud Gold Sponsor of the ProPrint Supplier 50 Award from World War I. The Link was Oscar’s way of creating a sense of connection in the local community. And since those humble beginnings, IVE has grown to become Australia’s largest diversified marketing company. From creative, content and brand activations through to print, uniforms and 3PL, we continue to create connections across the marketing mix.

ivegroup.com.au

Anthony Zupanovic

Production Supervisor

EASY SIGNS

Beth Corbin

Customer Happiness Manager

EASY SIGNS

Chloe Ford

Apprentice

TALBOT PRESS

Christine Gardiner

Graphic Reproducer

STUDIO LABELS

Bec O’Burtill

Project Manager

BLAIR SIGNS

Bethany Ziola

Sales Support/Customer Service

CHARTERS PAPER

Chris La Greca

Business Development Manager

IVE GROUP

Darcy Ellerton

Field Services Engineer

DURST OCEANIA

2024 EMERGING 50

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

SPONSOR

SPONSOR

SPONSORS

GOLD

SILVER

PLATINUM

Ella Boromeo

Sales Executive

OMNIGRAPHICS

Emily McEwan

Print Finisher and Digital Printer

JAMESPRINT

Gabriella Kangas

Account Manager

CACTUS IMAGING

Imran Yunus

Finishing Machinery Operator

MULTI-COLOR CORPORATION

Jaden Perumal

Trainee Field Service Engineer

DURST OCEANIA

Joseph Lahoud

Technical Application Specialist

BALL & DOGGETT

Katie Ammavuta & Andrew Butcher

Owners

KWIK KOPY BALLARAT

Ellisha Venz

Internal Account Manager

MMT PRINT

Evan Gill

Sales Manager

KWIK KOPY EAGLE FARM

Glenn Lewis

Marketing Coordinator

KWIK KOPY

Jacinta Allen

Graphic Prepress Coordinator

BREEN PRINTING

John Wallace

Business Development Manager GALE PACIFIC

Justin Tout

Production Coordinator

BREEN PRINTING

Kayla Massimissa

Customer Service

MINT IMAGING

Kristyn Breeze

National Communications & Digital

Marketing Manager

SNAP PRINT SOLUTIONS

Laila Stevens

Printing Apprentice

ECKERSLEY PRINT GROUP

Lucia Sin

Administration/Sales Support

DURST OCEANIA

Manuela Da Encarnacao

Director

GRAPH-PAK LAMINATING FILMS

Mary Olorga

Binder Operator IVE GROUP

Michael Montefalcon

Distribution Network Manager

IVE GROUP

Nicholas Smith

Director

PARK DOUGLAS PRINTING

Lachlan Morgan

Dark Room Operation and Ink Technician

DRK LBL

Lisa Michalanney Co-Owner

SIGNAGEWORLD/3D SA

Luke Lambourne

Operations Manager SS SIGNS

Mary Kung

Digital Studio Manager IMAGEBOX GROUP

Melissa Mackie

Graphic Design Manager EASY SIGNS

Mitch Hann

Production Manager MSP PHOTOGRAPHY

Nicole Jesenko

Freelance Graphic Designer

NICOLE JESENKO CREATIVE

Panteha Jadidi

Marketing Manager

KWIK KOPY

Robert Neale

Apprentice Printer WESTROCK

Sumita Bhatnagar

Labels & Packaging Segment

Marketing Lead HP

Taylor Montgomery

Fenceprint Production Manager

LAMONT PRINT + SIGNS

Tommy Mavros

Creative & Graphic Designer COLEMANS PRINTING

Wayne Costain

Print and Pre-Press Production Manager

DRKLBL

Yan Ng

Project Manager

IVE GROUP

Rahul Reddy

Account Manager IVE GROUP

Sarah McMillan

Graphic Designer SPICERS

Tammie-Lee Pickles

Customer Service Lead

LAMONT PRINT + SIGNS

Taylor O’Neill

Marketing Coordinator SPICERS

Vivek Panchakshari Director GREENIGO

Ximena Guzman

Head of Marketing and Communications

Asia Pacific SMARTECH

Zaf Haq

Project Manager

IVE GROUP

2024 SUPPLIER 50

In recognition of those who serve the Australian print industry and help it flourish

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Abe Weiszberger CEO STICK ON SIGNS

Alfred David

National Sales Manager POZITIVE

Anthony Jackson

National Sales Manager ANZ - Commercial HP Indigo CURRIE GROUP

Brett Addison

Sales Development Manager ANZ ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING (EFI) AUSTRALIA

Adam Todd

National Industrial Print Solutions Consultant

KONICA MINOLTA AUSTRALIA

Andrew Cocker

General Manager Production and Industrial Print

KONICA MINOLTA AUSTRALIA

Ben Templeton

Service Manager

DURST OCEANIA

Brett Wark

NSW Sales Manager & National Product Manager Sign & Display

SMARTECH BUSINESS SYSTEMS

Chris Bowden

Partner Business Manager - Large Format Production Print HP AUSTRALIA

Craig Walmsley

South Pacific Industrial Country Manager HP AUSTRALIA

David Rusk

Account Manager SPICERS AUSTRALIA

Elli Zlatanovski

Key Account Manager CHARTERS PAPER

Glen Makary

Key Account Manager SPICERS AUSTRALIA

Henryk Kraszewski

Senior Product & Marketing Manager - Production Print

RICOH AUSTRALIA

Jacek Rogoz

Service Technician

SMARTECH BUSINESS SYSTEMS

Craig Hardman

ANZ Country Manager Large Format Printing HP AUSTRALIA

Cyndi Setia

Marketing & Design Manager

SPICERS AUSTRALIA

David Whitbread

Author and Publisher

THE DESIGN MANUAL

Enda Kavanagh

APAC - Industrial Software Sales Lead HP AUSTRALIA

Glenn Conyers

National Sales Specialist - Graphics FUJIFILM AUSTRALIA

Ian Parsonson

Managing Director

HEXIS AUSTRALIA

James Merhab

Sales Executive

BALL & DOGGETT

Jason Hay

National Sales Manager

MIMAKI AUSTRALIA

Jeremy Brew

Sales Enablement - Greater Asia & India,

Large Format Production

HP AUSTRALIA

Johnathan Meads

Sales Executive

BALL & DOGGETT

Justin Kirkland

Account Manager

FUJIFILM AUSTRALIA

Matt Ashman

Managing Director

DURST OCEANIA

Michael Boogaard

Business Development Manager

CELMAC

Philip Trumble

Managing Director

POZITIVE

Jaxon Crocker

Director ABC COPIER SOLUTIONS

Jimmy Nguyen

Regional Channel Sales Manager

SMARTECH BUSINESS SYSTEMS

Jonny Rumney

NSW State Manager

CELMAC

Mark Daws

Director - Labels & Packaging ANZ CURRIE GROUP

Melissa Donnelly

Business Development and Account Executive

SPICERS AUSTRALIA

Mitch Mulligan

Managing Director

BÖTTCHER AUSTRALIA

Richard Ward

Applications Specialist

SMARTECH BUSINESS SYSTEMS

Rob Brussolo

General Manager - Sign, Display & Digital

BALL & DOGGETT

Sarah Moore

General Manager VISUAL CONNECTIONS

Shane Hanlon

Account Manager Graphic Systems

FUJIFILM AUSTRALIA

Tim Hawes

Business Development Manager

SMARTECH BUSINESS SYSTEMS

Tony Bertrand

Head of Marketing BALL & DOGGETT

Vincent Nair

Executive Chairman & CEO

SMARTECH BUSINESS SYSTEMS

Wayne Hood

Visual Communications Portfolio Manager

SPICERS AUSTRALIA

Roger Labrum

Analogue Sales and Marketing Manager FUJIFILM AUSTRALIA

Scott Chong

Business Development Executive BALL & DOGGETT

Stephen Pratt

Managing Director Australia & New Zealand KURZ AUSTRALIA

Tom Ralph

Managing Director GRAPH-PAK

Trevor Crowley

Sales General Manager ANZ FLINT GROUP DIGITAL

Warren Davey

National Equipment Sales POZITIVE

Wayne McIntyre

CEO CELMAC

IN MEMORIAM

‛Titans of the trade’ remembered

The 2024 ProPrint Awards In Memoriam tribute honoured ‘12 titans of the trade’, with the segment led by Aaron Lusch, general manager of Platypus Print Packaging and son of industry pioneer, Tom Lusch.

“This year has been particularly bittersweet as we mourn the loss of many industry legends that have passed away over the past 12 months,” Aaron Lusch said at the 2024 ProPrint Awards

“Without the influence of these people, many of us wouldn’t be here and our industry would look profoundly different to what it is today.”

Aaron Lusch also spoke of his father’s impact on the print industry. Tom Lusch, who passed away in January this year, was founder of Queensland-based Platypus Print Packaging.

“The saying goes, ‘if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life’ and that was certainly true for Tom Lusch,” Aaron said of his dad’s legacy in print.

“Despite being one of the hardest working people I have ever known, he never saw work as work. Many in the industry enjoyed his mateship, and he was regarded by all as an all-round good bloke. I am sure that all of us have been

influenced for the better by at least one of these 12 legends that we honour tonight. I invite you to reflect upon the traits of these industry legends and consider what it was that made them exceptional and as we do so, appreciate their contributions and build on the foundations that have been laid for us.

“Thank you for being here tonight to celebrate our industry, our remarkable history, and the wonderful legends of the game.”

Neil Mulveney Champion Press

Rod Cummings EFI

Graeme Ross Raleigh Paper

Geoff Selig IVE Group

Peter Friend Ngui Craftech Visual Communications

John Fisher John Fisher Printing

Tom Lusch Platypus Print Packaging

Gordon Anthonisz CPI Group

Warwick Roden Roden Print & Packaging

Joan Daniels Frank Daniels Printers

Mike Gleeson G.T. Graphics

John Gage Dominion Print Group

Workplace relations: What you need to know for 2025

Visual Media Association’s Charles Watson weighs in on the workplace relations

issues

set to shape 2025, and how the print industry can navigate through them successfully.

The past year has brought significant amendments to workplace relations legislation, creating new compliance and operational requirements for employers. Key reforms included the ‘right to disconnect’, changes to casual employment laws, revised definitions of ‘employer’ and ‘employee,’ amendments to enterprise agreement-making and related bargaining requirements, and expanded rights for workplace delegates.

The rapid pace at which the government pushed through these changes made workplace relations a key focus throughout 2023 and 2024.Unsurprisingly, this wave of legislative amendments has kept the Fair Work Commission (FWC) exceptionally busy. According to its 2023/2024 annual report, the FWC handled more than 40,000 claims, marking the highest claim lodgement rate on record and a 27 per cent increase from the previous year’s reporting period. So, what does 2025 hold?

Looking ahead to 2025

Wage theft legislation

In 2025, new wage theft laws will come into effect starting in January. Under these laws, employers who intentionally underpay their employees may face criminal charges. An employer will commit an offence if:

• They are required to pay an amount to an employee under the Fair Work Act or an industrial instrument (such as an enterprise agreement); and

• They intentionally engage in conduct resulting in failure to pay these

amounts to or for the employee on or before the due date.

The Fair Work Ombudsman will continue to investigate wage theft issues. However, the prosecution of alleged offences will be handled by the director of public prosecutions or the Australian Federal Police. If found guilty, companies and individuals may face significant fines and even imprisonment, with cases assessed based on the criminal standard of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.

Potential regulation of non-compete clauses

The government has also been considering potential regulation of noncompete clauses in employment contracts. These clauses aim to restrict an employee from accepting a job with a competitor or operating a competing business, typically within a specific geographical area and for a set duration. From an employer’s perspective, noncompete clauses are designed to safeguard trade secrets, know-how, and other sensitive commercial information.

However, the overuse of these clauses can limit an employee’s ability to work in their area of expertise and, in some cases, hinder career progression. Courts generally only enforce non-compete clauses when they are deemed reasonable and when there is a clear risk of the employer losing confidential information. The government is expected to tread carefully on this issue, as it requires balancing the rights of employees with the legitimate interests of employers. Thus, while regulations on non-compete clauses

may be discussed, any legislative action is likely to be measured and deliberate.

A pause on major workplace reforms

Aside from these considerations, there does not appear to be any additional major workplace relations reforms currently on the government’s immediate agenda. This pause may be strategic as Australia enters into an election cycle commencing in early 2025, with the next federal election likely to be held in May 2025. During election periods, governments tend to avoid introducing contentious legislation, particularly in areas such as workplace relations, which can impact a wide voter base.

The

search for talent

In 2025, the ongoing shortage of skilled candidates and attracting new entrants into our industry is expected to remain a pressing challenge. Through initiatives such as the Skills and Training Roundtable of members, the VMA is actively working to overcome related challenges and address training needs within the industry. However, sustained progress will require collaboration across all industry stakeholders to create lasting solutions for talent attraction, retention and skill development.

Embracing change with confidence

As we move towards 2025, our industry has demonstrated and will continue to showcase its adaptability and creativity in meeting these evolving and emerging challenges. The support of our members has been instrumental in driving the successes we achieved this year and with your ongoing support we look forward to 2025. Together, we’re well-positioned to make 2025 another year of growth, innovation, and achievement.

Charles Watson is GM – IR, Policy, and Governance at the Visual Media Association

This article is of a general nature and guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.

In 2025, the ongoing shortage of skilled candidates and attracting new entrants to the industry is expected to remain a challenge - Credit: iStock.com/andresr

The fight or flight response can affect your business and workplace COMMENT

Learning how to navigate stress in the modern workplace can be advantageous in business.

Stress is ever-present in today’s fastpaced world, particularly in the modern workplace. From tight deadlines to high-stakes negotiations, business can often feel like a battlefield, with many stuck in a fight or flight cycle. This ancient response, once necessary for survival in the wild, now manifests in our professional lives, making it critical to understand and manage stress effectively.

First described by Walter Cannon in the 1920s, the fight or flight response is the body’s automatic reaction to perceived threats. When triggered, stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol flood our system, preparing us for action. In the past, this reaction helped humans outrun predators. Today, it might push someone to power through a late-night deadline or tackle a challenging business presentation.

While this response can provide a shortterm performance boost, chronic activation leads to adverse outcomes like burnout, decreased productivity, and various health problems. Recognising when the fight or flight response is helpful and when it’s harmful is critical to navigating modern business challenges.

Fight or flight can help

There are situations where the fight or flight response can be advantageous in business. In moments of crisis, this heightened state can enhance focus and decision making, essential for handling unexpected challenges. In competitive settings, such as high-pressure sales or negotiations, the energy surge can drive professionals to perform at their peak, sharpening instincts and fuelling creativity.

For some, stress even sparks innovation and problem solving, particularly when

deadlines loom. Leveraging this response wisely in certain situations can provide a critical edge in the business world.

However, problems arise when the fight or flight mode becomes a default state. Chronic stress disrupts decision making, shifting thinking from strategic to reactive. Teams suffer with stressed individuals more prone to conflict, hindering collaboration and damaging workplace relationships.

The serious long-term health effects of stress include increased risks of cardiovascular problems, weakened immune systems, and mental health challenges. These factors can reduce an individual’s performance and impact overall productivity, creating a toxic cycle of stress and underperformance.

In response to these challenges, progressive companies are implementing comprehensive stress management programmes with initiatives ranging from stress awareness training and mindfulness programmes to restructuring work environments with flexible schedules and de-stress zones.

Leadership plays a critical role in setting the tone for stress management. When executives model healthy approaches to stress, it encourages employees to do the same. Effective strategies often include educating teams about recognising and managing acute stress, creating opportunities for rest, and fostering a culture that balances performance with well-being.

Investing in comprehensive wellness programmes addressing physical, mental, and emotional health can see tangible returns: increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and improved employee retention. This is not just a feel-good strategy; it’s a smart business move.

Progressive companies are redefining success itself. While financial metrics remain essential, they’re no longer the sole measure of a company’s worth. Employee satisfaction, work-life balance, and well-being are crucial indicators of a company’s health and future potential.

As businesses evolve, so do the approaches to managing workplace stress. Technology, environmental design, and policy changes are shaping more harmonious work environments. For example, wearable devices that track stress levels allow employees to monitor and manage their stress in real-time, enabling proactive stress reduction.

Biophilic office designs – integrating natural elements such as living walls and natural light – are becoming more common, as research shows that exposure to nature reduces stress and enhances wellbeing. Additionally, some companies are implementing mandatory downtime policies, requiring employees to disconnect during off-hours or vacations fully. This approach directly challenges the always-on culture that contributes to chronic stress.

By recognising how stress influences the body and mind and cultivating a workplace culture prioritising performance and wellbeing, businesses can empower employees to survive and thrive. This transformation elevates individual wellbeing while fuelling innovation, creativity, and long-term prosperity.

The future of business doesn’t lie in a constant state of fight or flight but in mastering the art of navigating the modern work landscape with agility, resilience, and mindfulness.

As we continue to think laterally and embrace a more holistic approach to the challenges of today’s workforce, the k ey to unlocking our full potential will be harnessing the power of our primal instincts on our terms, for a future that thrives beyond survival.

Mick Rowan has spent the past decade building printIQ into one of the most recognised software brands in the printing industry.

The serious long term health effects of constant stress include increased risks of cardiovascular problems, weakened immune systems, and mental health challenges - Credit: iStock.com/Jacob Wackerhausen

EVENT

Heimtextil

FESPA Australia BBQ

Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025

FESPA Sydney Social

CCE International

FESPA Global Print Expo 2025

PacPrint 2025

Print4All 2025

Labelexpo Europe 2025

Pack Print International

ProPrint Awards

LOCATION

Frankfurt, Germany

Melbourne, Australia

Lucerne, Switzerland

Sydney, Australia

Munich, Germany

Berlin, Germany

Sydney, Australia

Milan, Italy

Barcelona, Spain

Bangkok, Thailand

Sydney, Australia

DATE

14-17 January 2025 13 February 2025 24-27 February 2025 27 February 2025 11-13 March 2025 6-9 May 2025

20-23 May 2025

27-30 May 2025

16-19 September 2025

17-20 September 2025 14 November 2025

Hosting an event? Send an email to the editor Claire Hibbit chibbit@intermedia.com.au with the details

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Breathing new life into A1-plus size printing

Introducing the RMGT 970 with Skeleton Transfer System

Why Why ?

No odor

No Ozone

No spray powder

No set-off

No loss time

• Instant dry

• Instant ON/OFF irradiation

Reduce CO2 emission

No large peripheral equipment

No need for overprint varnishing

Reduce electrical consumption

• Up to 91%

No VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Reduce heat generation

Long life span

• Up to 15 times

Printing on film and cardboard

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

A skeleton transfer cylinder will be offered as an option for 970 model A1-plus size straight offset presses. The cylinder mechanism leverages the technology of RMGT’s flagship 10 series, which boasts a solid reputation in the packaging industry.

This newly added feature will enable the press to handle a wide range of sheet thicknesses from 0.04 to 0.8mm, expanding business opportunities by flexibly printing not only commercial and publication products but also packaging and speciality items.

Handles sheet thickness of up to 0.8mm to meet the demands of packaging printing.

Maximim sheet size of 650 x 965mm allows flexible handling of a wide variety of multi-up printing work.

Low-cost heavy-stock printing enhances competiveness (Approx. 20% lower plate costs and 18% lower power consumption versus a B1-size press)