New Zealand Printer September 2021

New Zealand Printer

September 2021

Fujifilm’s next revolution in print is here.

The Revoria™ opens the door to the new future of print.

Time to buy local print Surviving the lockdown MCC acquires Hexagon Embracing sustainability

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September 2021 Cover Story p12-13

Fujifilm Business Innovation: The new Revoria Press range includes the Revoria Press PC1120 and the Revoria Press E1 Series machines, offering high productivity and high print quality.

Recently, Fujifilm Business Innovation hosted the Revoria launch at its Print Technology Centre PrintNZ p6-10

8-9 Helping Hand: The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for print buyers to ‘buy local’ and the Printed In New Zealand campaign will do just that.

Iain MacIntyre has the details 10 Comment: As the latest Covid-19 lockdown grinds on, we need to remember that we are in this together, says Ruth Cobb Features p14-41

14-16 Fujifilm Business Innovation: We caught up with industry members at the official launch of the Revoria Press range, catching many of them on camera

CONTENTS Wide Format Plus p23-32

26 Stark Digital: Taya Groups has launched the world’s first eco calculator for banner materials 28 NZSDA Update: The NZSDA can help you make your business more environmentally friendly 29 NZSDA President/Secretary: NZSDA membership brings you numerous benefits, says Andy Lowe. Melissa Coutts offers ideas on how to cope with change 30 NZSDA Signee: Dustin Brattle, from Dzine Signs, shares his journey in sign making 32 Laminating: Drytac specialist Dennis Le Blanc advises when you should laminate Labels & Packaging p34-37

34 Fujifilm: Food-safe ink enables the Fujifilm Jet Press 750S to print on primary food packaging

Advertiser’s index

Aarque 7, 25 APM 7 Contact Labels 7 Currie Group 21 Cyber OBC Eamar Plastics 42 FUJIFILM Business Innovation OFC, 19 FUJIFILM NZ IFC Graphic Lamination & Coating 5 Konica Minolta 11 NZSDA 31 People in Print Awards 33 Pride In Print IBC PrintNZ 35 Stark Digital 27 VPR 42 Wholesale Print 17

36-37 MCC/Hexagon: American label giant MCC has acquired Hexagon Holdings

18 Iridesse: A new Iridesse, supplied through Fujifilm Business Innovation, offers high end Auckland-based printer Crucial Colour a range of digital options for high quality printing 20 Currie Group: Leading Label, based in Christchurch, has installed an HP Indigo 6r Digital Press to increase its production and expand its capabilities 22 Fellman: Use the right strategy for print sales and you can achieve more with less, says Dave Fellman 38-41 Pride In Print: This year’s Pride In Print Awards Gala evening attracted guests from across the industry. See who you recognise in our photo spread

NEW ZEALAND PRINTER PO Box 32-395, Devonport, Auckland 0744 EDITORIAL: 021 631 559 Bruce Craig, Editor: bruce@newzealandprinter.co.nz CONTRIBUTORS: Ruth Cobb, Melissa Coutts, Dave Fellman, Dennis Le Blanc, Andy Lowe, Iain MacIntyre, CIRCULATION: subscriptions@intermedia.com.au

From left: Greg O’Shanassy, Shigeta Kotake, and Dave Lowe at the Fujifilm Business Innovation launch for the Revoria Press range

ISSN 1171 7912

DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES & SERVICE: Brian Moore – brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz +61 410 578 876 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Brian Moore – brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Carrie Tong – carrie@i-grafix.com

New Zealand Printer is mailed to members of the printing, packaging and graphic communications industry in New Zealand 11 times a year, February-December.

2021

Official Media Sponsor

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Printer Media Group New Zealand: New Zealand Printer, ProPack.pro Asia Pacific: ProPack.pro Australia: Australian Printer, ProPrint MANAGING DIRECTOR: James Wells – james@intermedia.com.au GROUP PUBLISHER: Brian Moore – brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz © Copyright 2021: Contents of this magazine are subject to copyright and cannot be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

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September 2021

3

NEWS IN BRIEF DIGITAL printing looks likely to secure new markets in labels and packaging over the next five years, according to industry research analysts Smithers.

With the Covid-19 pandemic adversely affecting other print segments, labels have become a focus and the latest digital technology promises to open new segments and print options for print service providers. Smithers says, led by inkjet, digital’s share of the printed label and packaging market will almost double over the next five years, with improvements making the inkjet process more costcompetitive.

FLINT GROUP has signed an agreement to sell its XSYS division to Lone Star Funds, a global private equity firm. XSYS specialises in the development and supply of printing plates, sleeves and adapters, and prepress equipment to the packaging industry. Antoine Fady, will lead the company as chief executive officer. He says, “This will further enable the XSYS business to advance as a standalone, best in class, full solutions provider to the flexographic and letterpress pre-press industries, with tailormade solutions developed for each market segment.”

PRINTING UNITED, the US show scheduled for October has been cancelled with organiser, the Printing United Alliance, saying, “The ability to deliver a successful tradeshow event for all involved became significantly hampered with the growing uncertainty resulting from the Covid-19 Delta variant and its depressing effect on registration and exhibitor participation. We sincerely thank our industry partners.

We conferred with dozens of exhibitors from all segments and sizes, regularly monitored attendee sentiment, and the weight of opinion supported the difficult decision to cancel.”

ABG adds refined DigiLase 4.0 A B Graphic International (ABG) has launched the next evolution of its DigiLase 4.0 cutting machine.

Currie Group supplies ABG solutions in New Zealand.

The company received a record number of orders for the machine in 2020. The latest refinements include new individual piece options and faster speeds, which combine with its state of the art laser cutting technology.

ABG says this makes the DigiLase 4.0 digital laser cutting machine unrivalled in guaranteeing consistent and accurate results.

The addition of individual piece options will interest to web to print businesses looking to provide customers

Enhanced capabilities: The DigiLase 4.0 cutting machine with enhanced marketing capabilities. The laser cuts the shape of each sticker, providing a cut from the face stock, through the substrate, to the liner. When the web is pulled away from the laser area, the stickers are drawn onto the conveyor system, and the waste is rewound. The stickers then go into a collating conveyor

where they can be boxed in batches of the desired preset quantity.

New software allows increased speed from its single laser head so the upgraded DigiLase 4.0 reduces lead times even further. ABG says it combines the latest workflow technology with barcode scanning.

People in Print Awards opens nominations Nominations have opened for the People in Print Awards and rising Star Awards.

Once again, New Zealand Printer Magazine will host the awards in association with PrintNZ. Visit this website to nominate someone for the awards: https://interpoint. eventsair.com/nzpa/ nzpanom/Site/Register Last December, PrintNZ and New Zealand Printer Magazine delivered the only physical event for the local industry in 2020 with the first People in Print and Rising Stars of Print Awards. This year, we can again recognise

members of the industry who have contributed in an outstanding way over the past 12 months.

Bruce Craig, editor of New Zealand Printer Magazine, says, “We are looking forward to receiving nominations from across the industry.

“The awards give us the chance to celebrate those who have achieved excellence over the past 12 months. That includes a number of areas such as their work in a particular field of the industry like prepress, offset, digital, finishing, design, converting, sign making, wrapping, administration,

warehousing, logistics and supply etc. It can also mean work in the community and other areas.”

Ruth Cobb, chief executive at PrintNZ, says, “We are pleased to support the People In Print Awards that recognise the members of our industry that have made a contribution during the year. There are many people that go above and beyond and it is great to take the time to acknowledge them.”

Craig adds, “It’s fine to self-nominate. If anyone has any questions, please call me on 021 6315 559 or drop me an email at bruce@ newzealandprinter.co.nz.

NEWS for New Zealand – all the latest print industry news from home and overseas, delivered to your inbox Go to the news website

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September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

NEWS Jupe takes reins at Fujifilm Business Innovation

David Jupe

Takayuki Togo

Peter Thomas

Fujifilm Business Innovation New Zealand has appointed David Jupe as managing director.

He replaces Peter Thomas, who stood down recently. Takayuki Togo, head of Fujifilm Business Innovation Oceania, says, “We would like to thank Peter for his significant contribution to Fujifilm Business Innovation and we wish him well for the future.

He has played a key role in rebuilding our business in New Zealand during some very challenging times.

“Peter led the business out of a difficult time in 2015 and leaves behind a much stronger organisation today. He spearheaded the acquisition and integration of technology services company CSG. In addition,

he has cemented our new brand, which creates an exciting platform for our future growth.”

Jupe has extensive experience in senior leadership roles in the graphic communications and outsourced services industries. He steps into the role from his current position as general manager of Managed Services.

He says, “The print industry has undergone a huge amount of change in recent years. This has been challenging in many ways.

So, my focus in this new role will be on ensuring we have a sustainable, long term business. We’ll build on our position as the market leader in New Zealand. We will do this by being nimble and keeping pace with

changing market needs.”

He has held leadership positions as chief executive at two of the country’s largest graphics arts businesses: Blue Star Group and Western Mailing. A graduate of the University of Auckland with a Master of Management degree, he has also worked as an independent consultant and business coach to other executives.

He adds, “I look forward to working closely with our team and our customers.

We will keep bringing innovative print, digital and outsourced solutions to New Zealand.”

IN BRIEF AMCOR has recorded an “outstanding” year financially with profits approaching US$1bn ($1.4bn). Ron Delia, chief executive at Amcor, says, “It was an exceptional year financially for Amcor, with record earnings, exceptional margin management, despite steep raw material cost increases, and supply constraints, and momentum building through the year.

Organic sales growth was two per cent, and we exited the year in Q4 with sales higher than the prior year.”

CERAMIC 3D printing has emerged as a significant segment within the 3D printing industry. In its report ‘3D Printing Ceramics 2022-2032: Technology and Market Outlook’, research company IDTechEx forecasts the ceramic 3D printing industry to grow seven-fold to $400M by 2032. Ceramic 3D printing is seeing increasing interest from high-value sectors such as investment casting for aerospace and defence; chemical engineering; and dentistry looking for ceramic tooling and small-batch parts.

The report also sees more room for growth in research and development related sales.

Heidelberg sells Docufy As part of its continued focus on its cloud-based digitisation strategy in its core business, Heidelberg has announced the sale of its software subsidiary Docufy to investment company Elvaston.

Rainer Hundsdörfer, chief executive at Heidelberg, says, “As part of our portfolio analysis and concentration on our core activities, we have come to the conclusion that Docufy’s planned strategy for the future can be supported in a more targeted manner by a new partner.

“We are focusing our software activities on the expansion of cloud-based applications and platforms for the printing industry. We will use the funds freed up by the sale to drive forward strategic future investments newzealandprinter.co.nz

on the path of our digital transformation.”

Docufy provides information management software that develops and sells high quality software products and solutions as well as consulting and implementation services, training, and SaaS services. Its new strategy will see it expand its software suite into an Industry 4.0 InfoHub, the establishment of new strategic partnerships and the internationalisation of business activities.

Stefan Donat, chief executive at Docufy, says, “We are looking forward to realising our Docufy 2025 strategy with the help of Elvaston. This will allow us to further expand our offering for our existing and future customers.”

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September 2021

5

NEWS

Epson promotes Heat Free Technology Epson has announced its commitment to inkjet solutions and its Heat Free Technology.

The company sees inkjet, using its PrecisionCore technology, as the future of printing for home, enterprise, office, large format and industrial applications. It says PrecisionCore printers use fewer moving parts than traditional laser technology, making them more reliable with lower production and service costs.

Epson points out that its Heat Free Technology uses far less power, often to 94 per cent less, than comparable laser printers.

Epson and National Geographic make this point in their Global ‘Turn Down the Heat’ campaign. They say the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the Earth. As its permafrost ice melts, it releases powerful

Arctic researcher Professor Katey Walter Anthony says the Arctic is melting before our eyes methane greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

This accelerates global warming in an increasingly destructive cycle.

Arctic researcher Professor Katey Walter Anthony, a National Geographic Explorer, has shown how Arctic lakes now emit five times more methane than previously

thought. She says, “The Arctic is literally melting before our eyes, and what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. It affects the entire planet.”

She uses Epson printers to make copies of maps and data from her field research. She says, “Heat destroys permafrost. When we choose to use Heat

Free Technology, we lower our energy consumption.

Consequently, this helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slows permafrost thaw. The environmental burden from manufacturing and recycling spare parts is also reduced. Heat Free Technology uses fewer consumables and parts that need replacing.”

While much of the industrialised world strives to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, Epson says Heat Free Technology brings innate energy savings that can greatly reduce printing solutions’ environmental footprint. Bruce Bealby, general manager marketing for Epson Australia, adds, “Not all inkjet-based technologies are created equal but those with the right balance of reliability, efficiency, sustainability and lower cost will be a force to be reckoned with.”

Print & Pack exits local bindery market Print & Pack Australia and New Zealand, which supplies packaging, printing and converting equipment, has discontinued its engagement with Komori Corporation acquired MBO Group and Herzog & Heymann (H&H). MBO is a folding technology company

and H&H is a subsidiary of MBO Postpress Solutions, with its main market including signature folding.

Carsten Wendler, managing director at Print & Pack, says the move allows Print & Pack to focus on its core strengths of print and packaging. He says, “It

allows both parties to focus on their core strengths.

Print & Pack will have then completely disengaged from the bindery market and can now focus on the print and packaging sector.”

He adds that MBO will announce in due course how it envisions to service its

client base in Australia and New Zealand.”

He concludes, “Both companies have enjoyed a beneficial partnership for several decades but due to structural changes and demand it was MBO’s wish to explore a different approach.”

Labelexpo sets sights on December Labelexpo Asia organiser Tarsus Group has opened registrations for this year’s show, which will take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, China from December 7-10.

Kevin Liu, event director at Labelexpo, says, “Labelexpo Asia will be the largest exhibition for the label and package printing industries held anywhere in the world this year. So it will be a must visit for 6

printers wanting to see what suppliers have been developing since before the global pandemic.

“With global vaccination programmes continuing at a rapid rate, we look forward to welcoming label and package printers. This will be the only Labelexpo show this year. As a result, we know there is a huge appetite to see machinery in action again. In addition, visitors want to network safely with industry friends

and contacts.”

With the global pandemic driving printers to invest heavily in automation, Labelexpo Asia will include a special Print Automation 4.0 feature area and learning hub with regular interactive demonstrations throughout the show.

Labelexpo Asia 2021 and the China Packaging Federation (CPF) will jointly host a summit on label and package printing trends and technologies.

Lisa Milburn, managing director of Tarsus Labels, Packaging and Brand Print Group, says, ‘We are very happy to announce the opening of registrations for Labelexpo Asia 2021.

With the cancellation of so many printing shows over the last two years, label and package printers have not had the possibility to see at first hand the exciting technology which leading industry suppliers have been busily developing.”

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

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NEW ZEALAND PRINTER DIRECTORY & CALENDAR Fespa Global Expo October 12-15, 2021 Amsterdam, The Netherlands Organisers have moved the show and have retained the backing of exhibitors wanting to participate in the wide format showcase. It will run alongside the European Sign Expo and Sportswear Pro expos.

Print & Digital Convention October 20-21, 2021 Düsseldorf, Germany This show will present solutions for combining classic print communication with digital and online strategies in practical applications. It offers orientation, perspectives, and a range of new concepts targeting future-oriented business planning.

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Printing South China March 4-6, 2022 Guangzhou, China With 28 years’ experience, this one-stop platform for technological and business exchange in China’s printing industry with exhibitors of printing machinery and other printing related solutions.

Organisers expect 1500 exhibitors to show their solutions.

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Sign & Digital UK

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March 22-24, 2022 NEC, Birmingham, England Sign & Digital UK facilitates the UK’s largest network of sign and display manufacturers, distributors, resellers, installers and end users. It showcases a wide range of the latest and most innovative products and services.

Craig Paul 027 655 4267 sales@curriegroup.co.nz

Auspack

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signuk.com May 17-20, 2022 Melbourne The southern hemisphere’s largest event for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing and packaging sectors brings together thousands of leaders to experience world-class equipment, technology and solutions. The show also features educational and networking opportunities.

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PacPrint 2022 June 28-July 1 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Covid-19 has led to the further postponement of the region’s largest print show. Organisers remain keen to welcome New Zealand visitors to the event that helps generate business opportunities through the latest technologies, solutions and trends.

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September 2021

7

helping hand

Printed in New Zealand de

Lisa Hegh, chairperson of the Pride In Print Awards

E

ncapsulating the renewed appreciation of the quality, deliverability and affordability of print in this country, PrintNZ has launched a new campaign called Printed In New Zealand.

The campaign will encourage local printers to proudly feature the Printed In New Zealand logo on their work to both promote and celebrate the industry to the domestic market, while also championing New Zealand’s print exports.

Ruth Cobb, chief executive of PrintNZ, says, “We had been looking at this initiative for a while, but momentum was initially derailed with the onset of Covid-19 and the subsequent diversion of resources.

“Things then ramped up again as the pandemic gave people a better understanding of buying locally and supporting our New Zealand economy.

“A considerable volume of printed work has already come back to New Zealand during the pandemic, because of such factors as surety of supply and 8

September 2021

IAIN MACINTYRE

Campaign harnesses new buy local momentum

Fred Soar, president PrintNZ

so on. We need to make sure we keep it here.

“This year the Pride In Print Awards will additionally be themed ‘Printed In New Zealand’ to further emphasise what that programme is all about: recognising the amazing printed products that we produce in this country.”

Supply chain changes Recently elected PrintNZ president Fred Soar concurs that there has been a noted shift in sentiment since the onset of Covid-19, as evidenced by new volumes of work being handled by his own and other New Zealand print firms.

He says, “I can tell you that we are definitely doing a lot more packaging and a lot more book work that would have been sourced overseas previously.

“The disruption in the supply chain and delays in shipping have caused some pause for thought. It is not as robust as people would like. Coupled with that is the sentiment to buy New

Zealand made, support the local economy and keep things going here in New Zealand.”

Soar believes the local print industry should rightfully be proud of the quality of work it produces as well as the sector’s other inherent advantages.

He says, “We do have some pretty good equipment here and I wouldn’t hesitate to say our quality is better than you would source from other countries. But the main advantage is that you are dealing with someone locally and can be a little more involved in the production process. You can actually tweak things along the way if specifications have changed or are hard to meet.

“There is definitely a risk when you are purchasing overseas because quite often you are paying up front. On at least two occasions, we have reprinted books that people have had done overseas because they haven’t been to specification.”

He points out that the world economy has approached a potential turning point in terms of supply and logistics. newzealandprinter.co.nz

helping hand

elivers world class product Invest locally, buy quality

The world looks different: Fred Soar says Covid-19 has made us realise the global supply chain isn’t the “be all and end all”

He explains, “We have realised that the global supply chain isn’t the be all and end all.

We do need to look at sourcing product more locally if we want to have consistency and reliability of supply.

“For example, I have heard that print prices in China have gone up 25 per cent due to a combination of freight costs plus higher operating costs and inflation. That will all come to seed through, so perhaps those days of getting it cheaper in overseas countries are over.”

He has a simple message to deliver to New Zealand-based print buyers who might have previously been tempted by overseas options. He says, “Print in New Zealand. Support local.

We do our best to make sure it is the best value for you. Don’t get sucked in by the lowest per unit cost; it is also about obsolescence and reliability of supply chain.

“We are competitive here in New Zealand, so give us a chance. We will show you that if you partner with us, you will get better value in the long term.” newzealandprinter.co.nz

Lisa Hegh, chairperson of the Pride In Print Awards, sees Printed In New Zealand as timely, with an increasing number of New Zealanders “very much” wishing to buy locally due to a range of factors. She says, “Those print buyers that want top quality or specialised print jobs have always looked to New Zealand printers for their business.

“However, in addition to the print quality and reasonable pricing available in New Zealand, there is a renewed appreciation that buying locally also guarantees that their products will be supplied without transport issues, in timely fashion.

“The Pride In Print Awards programme is here to showcase the incredible breadth and quality of print that is produced in New Zealand. A flow on of this is ensuring buyers of print are aware of our industry’s capabilities and Printed In New Zealand is the perfect vehicle to do this.

“So, we hope this new campaign will encourage even more print buyers to keep print in New Zealand. Invest locally, buy top quality.”

To further cement the campaign, Cobb confirms that, in collaboration with a number of industry suppliers, a “micro” PacPrint-type event is currently in the planning. It is expected to be held in Auckland on November 4 under the Printed In New Zealand brand.

She says, “With Kiwis unable to travel, and PacPrint postponed even further, the timing is right for a local event.

“It will be a micro exhibition, featuring a number of speakers and supplier presentations to provide the industry with an opportunity to hear from some key industry-related stakeholders and external presenters including a panel of print buyers. There will be an opportunity to attend different sessions, with the event woven together by an external MC.” Industry members can also look forward to the People In

New logo set to add impact for local print businesses

A key feature of the Printed In New Zealand initiative is the visual, emotional, and hopefully business impact, that local printers proudly displaying the campaign logo can deliver.

Ruth Cobb says, “The logo will be available to PrintNZ members for a one-off setup fee and small ongoing annual cost. The logo will carry a member identity number so that it can be tracked back to the member and avoid unauthorised use.

“The logo is not only a chance for the printer to brand their work, but for their customer to illustrate they are using local producers.

“We believe the opportunities to promote our industry are vast and, by working across a number of platforms, we can ensure that people recognise the value of Printed In New Zealand for both our members and their customers alike.”

Print and Rising Star Awards, where PrintNZ will again work to host the event with New Zealand Printer Magazine.

She says, “These awards recognise the members of our industry that have gone above and beyond during the year, and those that are starting to make a name for themselves and it offers us a great opportunity to take the time to acknowledge them and celebrate the industry.”

September 2021

9

We are all in this together

A

s we once again find ourselves in the stronghold of Lockdown Level Four, this is a stressful time for everyone, in particular the business owners and managers who guide us through this.

This time around we didn’t have the benefit of three days to prepare as we were thrust into Level Four with literally a few hours’ notice, which was given when many had already finished work for the day.

This made it difficult to have an opportunity to talk to staff about what had to happen, what the new rules were and how it was going to work over the lockdown period.

In my role at PrintNZ, I am working with many people who are concerned about their business, their staff, their own families, and doing right by everyone. In situations like this, there is no such thing as a normal work day. Many of them are working long hours and feeling anxious about meeting expectations.

Everyone turns to them to interpret and then put into action what are quite often unclear rules and guidelines being issued in haste, and then constantly being changed. Those rules are often contradictory and come with the added bonus of unsolicited input from other sources around them making it difficult to know what they can and can’t do, and then make the appropriate decisions accordingly.

There are now multiple team scenarios to manage which all require different inputs and outputs and each one of these situations can be stressful for the people in it and the people managing it.

Working from Home This isn’t as easy as it sounds.

A recent survey found that 71 per cent of people working at home are still improvising a workspace. When we purchased our houses, few of us expected to need an office, so people are working from beds, couches, kitchen benches, dining tables, cupboards under the stairs – 10

RUTH COBB

This industry has amazing people and we can get through all that Covid-19 can throw at us, especially its lockdowns

Here we go again: lockdowns take their toll on everyone, so look out for yourself and for others anywhere they can. And often, they are sharing that space with other people trying to work from home. None of it is ideal and normal outputs are almost impossible to achieve.

Working at work The teams that are still coming to work, while able to provide normal outputs, are having to work under strict protocols that may require them to work quite differently. They are playing a vital role in keeping both the business and New Zealand functioning, providing essential products to other essential businesses. But they are also leaving their homes every day and many will be anxious about the possibility of being exposed to Covid-19 by doing so.

At home, unable to work For this group, the anxiety is about maintaining their income and keeping their job.

It can be difficult to keep to a routine which is a key input to your mental health, and requires more discipline as lockdown extends. There can be a feeling of disconnect and it is important to keep them in the loop.

Reach out when you can The owners and managers of a business are doing their best to manage the anxieties across all these groups, while finding

a pathway through this for the business which will in turn protect all those jobs.

We all, well most of us, only have one boss, but that boss has many employees who look to them for guidance and support in times like these. Spare them a thought about the pressures they are facing and where possible, make sure you work with them, not against them.

We think we make decisions by ourselves but we don’t.

We constantly check with those around us, and while we are working alone, that may be harder. Know those who are your sanity keepers, encouragers, those who can make you laugh when you need it and those who can provide you courage and compassion.

For those outside of Auckland who have made it back to Level 2.5, enjoy the freedoms. For those in Auckland that remain locked down, stay safe. For you all, we are here to help you. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Our industry has an incredible network of amazing people that will help us get through.

And a final thought: our essential workers are once again carrying us all. Is there one small thing that you could do to make their lives a little easier? Sometimes helping others in a small way can actually make you feel a lot lighter yourself.

Kei roto katoa tatou I tenei kaupapa.

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

RETHINK EFFICIENCY WITH THE ALL NEW ACCURIOPRESS C14000 SERIES

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To rethink efficiency, simply visit konicaminolta.co.nz/AccurioPressC14000series

COVER STORY

Fujifilm Business Innova

F

rom its Auckland Print Technology Centre, Fujifilm Business Innovation has launched two production printer models under its new Revoria brand.

The Revoria Press PC1120, a production colour printer for the high-end professional printing market, and the Revoria Press E1 Series a monochrome production printer for on demand printing both for professional and office use, offer New Zealand print companies even more opportunities for profit.

The Revoria Press PC1120 Fujifilm Business Innovation aims to help printing companies to expand their business and increase productivity using new applications, AI (artificial intelligence), and automation technology.

Greg O’Shanassy, Auckland graphic arts sales manager at Fujifilm Business Innovation, spoke at the launch, welcoming and thanking guests for their continued support.

He sees the Revoria Press PC1120 offering limitless opportunities for local print professionals. He says, “It enables your print company to harness the formational power of its productivity and performance. You can now unlock the true value of CMYK+ printing and open new revenue streams.”

The Revoria Press PC1120 offers a range of innovations, starting with its air suction feeder and static removal device.

These features provide highly stable paper feeding for a wide variety of paper including paper containing concentrated amounts of paper dust, cohesive coated paper, and film.

Its feeder system handles paper of different thicknesses ranging from thin paper at 52gsm to 400gsm.

The paper trays offer compatibility with various paper sizes for printing, from small sized paper of 98mm x 148mm to long paper of 330mm x 1200mm in simplex mode 12

Offering limitless possibilities: The Revoria Press PC1120

New digital production presses offer innovation and productivity gains

and up to 330mm x 729mm for duplex printing.

The static eliminator enables printing on a variety of substrates such as films, metallic, and transparent media without them sticking together.

Outputting prints at a high speed of 120 pages per minute, the Revoria Press PC1120 achieves high definition, high resolution prints of 2400 dpi.

It uses Super EA-Eco toner, which boasts the smallest toner particle size in the industry.

At the front end, a new high performance print server, the Revoria Flow PC11, performs RIP processing at 1200 × 1200 dpi and 10 bits per colour (1024 gradations), generating highquality image data.

Equipped with a one-pass, six-colour print engine, it can use up to two special toners such as gold, silver,

clear, white, pink, and custom red, in addition to the basic CMYK toners. These toners enable high value, high quality printing such as metallic colours and natural skin textures.

The image data is automatically divided into five colours of cyan, magenta, yellow, black (CMYK) and pink. O’Shanassy says, “The fluorescent colours of the pink toner expands the colour gamut significantly, resulting in vibrant printouts especially on people images showing vivid colours and with smoother skin tones.”

O’Shanassy says, “The effects you can obtain from the Revoria Press PC1120 include a super sleek varnish effect with gloss; multiple metallic prints using white, gold, and silver plus CMYK overlay; vibrant images with

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

COVER STORY

ation introduces Revoria Revoria Press E1 Series

Greg O’Shannassy, Auckland graphic arts sales manager for Fujifilm Business Innovation, speaks at the Revoria launch an increased colour gamut; smoother gradients with pink; and rich printouts with depth on coloured media with white, gold, and silver.

“The 10-bit gradation makes everything appear smoother and more radiant.

For photographic quality, it automatically brightens skin colours and gives skin texture a beautiful flawless finish. The particles in our super EA Eco toner are 20 per cent smaller than standard EA, making it the smallest dry ink in the world. The result is smooth and beautiful photograph gradation, density uniformity in figures, and printed text without glare.”

Using AI, the Revoria Press PC1120 performs automatic image corrections for photo images. The AI enhances each photo image automatically.

O’Shanassy explains, “The AI-based Photo Quality Optimisation analyses data to identify the subjects within

photographs so that it can apply the right effects during printing to enhance image details.

It automatically improves backlight compensation and sharpness; skin tone correction; brightness and other features such as an image being too dark or too bright, or enhancing the hues in a blue sky. This automatic data conversion removes the need for manual touch up, producing smoother natural gradients and brighter, richer skin tones. This saves valuable post-production time.”

At the end of the new press, Fujifilm Business Innovation has a versatile inline post processing line up offering a range of finishing options including folding, three way trimming, and saddle stitching with square back finishing. O’Shanassy says, “Bookletmaking is easy with the Revoria Press PC1120. The finishing process is simple and automated.”

Fujifilm Business Innovation has designed the new Revoria Press E1 Series to take monochrome applications to a new level with excellent image quality and wider range of applications.

Like its colour production sibling, it uses an air suction feeder to enable high speed, stable continuous output for a range of paper types. It also handles paper containing concentrated amounts of paper dust, preprint paper that uses powder, and cohesive coated paper.

The feeder handles paper of different thicknesses ranging from thin paper at 52gsm to 350gsm. The paper tray offers compatibility with various paper sizes for printing, from small sized paper of 100mm x 148mm to long paper of 330.2mm x 660.4mm.

Printing at a high speed of 136 pages per minute, the Revoria Press E1 Series achieves high definition, high resolution prints of 2400 dpi output resolution using its EA Eco LGK toner with extremely small toner particle size. Its inline finishing line up offers paper folding, saddle stitching, three-way trimming, and saddle stitching with square back finishing.

SIQA (Simple Image Quality Adjustment) automatically corrects image quality by scanning a calibration chart, which improves the efficiency of image quality corrections. The printer is also equipped with copy and scan functions.

O’Shanassy concludes, “We look forward to demonstrating the capabilities of these exciting new digital production presses.”

Revoria enables new opportunities for printers Kevin Ptak, marketing manager at Fujifilm Business Innovation, who spoke at the launch, said, “The new brand name Revoria is derived from the blending of the words ‘revolution’ and the suffix ‘ia’, which means country or land. By revolutionising the production printing business, Fujifilm Business Innovation aims to cultivate new ‘lands’ and to create newzealandprinter.co.nz

unprecedented value. The brand name also incorporates the concepts ‘rebirth’, ‘renew’, and ‘refine’. So its spelling of Revoria with an ‘r’ rather than Revolia with an ‘l’; illustrates a determination to take it a new stage.

“The brand logo illustrates a bird soaring across the fertile land towards a rising sun and in turn, this signifies our customers’ continuous

flight to success with Fujifilm Business Innovation.

“Under the new Revoria brand, Fujifilm Business Innovation will provide customers with a suite of production printing solutions that encompasses production printers, associated print servers, and print workflow software.”

September 2021

13

DIGITAL

Fujifilm Business Innovation

W

hen Fujifilm Business Innovation launched the new Revoria range, at its Print Technology Centre near Auckland Airport, industry professionals came form across the country. The launch gave many in the industry a chance to catch up with friends they had not seen for some time. Everyone agreed thatwe need to see more events like this one.

Meanwhile, New Zealand Printer took the chance to get some photographs of the guests...

lor d Bridget Batche Patrick Crosby an

: From left

s ave Rao ck and D Ja h it w n ve Dean Ke

Jim Grainger (l) and

From lef t: Graeme Durha m, Yogesh Patel, and Fadi Nannis

and Luke Le Shudesh Mani (l)

14

September 2021

e

Nicola McIntyre

Kesha Glen Gledhill (l) and Rakesh

Rae Abbott (l) an d

Jonathan Devons hire

newzealandprinter.co.nz

DIGITAL

hosts industry professionals

Mar ten and Jo landa Van de Vost

and Viral Patel Graeme Charteris (l)

From left Matt Mills, Wayne Gates, and Ruth Cobb

, Lawrence dler, Alistair Egan From lef t: Chris Sa Sadler Evans, and Deirdre

d Shigeta Kotake Kaden McKaffrey (l) an

Dave Lowe and Ju lie

Keven

and Ajay Patel Rajesh Mundi (l)

From left: Nadine Singh, Rosemary Cannella, Jodi Crighton, and Kevin Ptak

Continued on page 16 newzealandprinter.co.nz

September 2021

15

DIGITAL Continued from page 15

Steve O’Too le (l)

and Riki Wite hira

assy, Shigeta From lef t: Greg O’Shan Dave Lowe

Kotake, and

Kevin Ptak (l) and Dave Raos

Tony Shallcrass

16

rk-Jones (l) and Dave Ki

September 2021

m He, and Bruc Blockley, Willia nt ra G : ft le From Lees

e

Kevin Church (l) Sh ane Busch

Ross Tottenham

xnay (l) and Patrck Lo

Wayne Gates (l) and Craig Moore

newzealandprinter.co.nz

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DIGITAL

Iridesse shines at Crucial Colour

W

ith a reputation for quality, Crucial Colour has become the printer of choice for numerous advertising agencies, international corporates and heritage New Zealand brands.

Part of Crucial Colour’s success is its continued investments in print technology and solutions. In April, the company installed an Iridesse supplied through Fujifilm Business Innovation.

Gary Furness, managing director at Crucial Colour, says, “We have had a long relationship with Fujifilm Business Innovation and we welcomed the chance to add the Iridesse to our line up. We work with Fujifilm in other areas so this installation is definitely a win-win for both businesses.”

Relationships matter for Crucial Colour. He says, “In this business, you are only as good as the relationships you have.

We treat our suppliers the same way we treat our customers and how we want to be treated. We have known Greg O’Shanassy at Fujifilm Business Innovation for a long time and he is a good bugger.”

Six colour engine The Iridesse prints six colours at 120 pages per minute on stock rated from 52 to 400gsm and it handles a range of media from plain and coated paper to variations of specialty paper (coloured paper, aluminised paper, films, envelopes, embossed paper, and so on).

The paper weight for auto duplexing is 360gsm.

It offers CMYK plus two specialty colour stations and a range of specialty dry inks (Gold, Silver, Clear, White, and Neon Pink), along with metallic effects with a mixture of gold/ silver and Pantone metallic as well as enhanced finishing with three-sided trimming and creasing. You can output multiple special colours in one pass, such as simultaneous printing of gold and silver.

Another feature is its ability to print banner sheets of 729mm, duplex and 1200mm simplex. With its ability to reproduce colours with added complexity, the Iridesse 18

High end print company adds Iridesse’s capabilities

Gary Furness, managing director at Crucial Colour, with the Iridesse offers fresh possibilities and applications for producing the likes of posters, booklets, brochures and catalogues.

Furness says, “We already knew about the quality that the Iridesse offers. Since the installation, we have made use of its embellishment capabilities such as its metallics. It offers us, and our clients something different.

Our sales representatives are finding that the Iridesse is an easy product to sell.

“Digital printing continues to grow. The demand is for shorter runs and quicker turnarounds. Customers also need variable data printing.

We have to complete an increasing number of smaller jobs. We are close to running it at full capacity. Of course, the overheads don’t change so having the Iridesse helps us respond to the trends in the industry.

“Finishing is inline. We can fold, trim and stitch on it, which means we can turn out booklets and brochures on demand. The clients like the quality and quick turnaround from the toner-based printer.

The quality of the colours is really good on the Iridesse.”

The Iridesse uses Super EA Eco dry toner. For higher image quality, this toner has a high viscoelasticity and a smaller particle size, which

means greater smoothness and better quality of fine detail with improved graininess and dot reproducibility. The toner has a lower melt point and a reduced viscosity, which offers a number of benefits such as using less heat.”

Covid challenges Across New Zealand, the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns have made doing business difficult. He says, “The current lockdown is not doing us any favours. All we can do is essential services and we have a team doing that work but for the most part, the machines just sit still in lockdown.

We look forward to having everything up and running at full capacity.”

What advice does he have for companies battling through the pandemic? He says, “Make sure you keep your debt levels under control. Don’t overstretch yourself. One challenge right now is that money is cheap but that is not always good because you do have to pay it back.

“Our industry is capital intensive and, in that regard, the Iridesse works because it is not millions to buy but it delivers the quality that clients demand. It runs well and is reliable. The Iridesse certainly works well for us with the market we have.”

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

We live in a magnificent world.

Bring the sublime to life in breathtaking detail from Specialty Dry Ink in the revolutionary Revoria Press PC1120. Make neons and pastels pop with electrifying Pink Dry Ink that reproduces the colour gamut in crisp, vivid dimensions.

Discover a wondrous realm of possiblities. www.fujifilm.com/fbnz

DIGITAL LABELS

Leading Label powers on with HP Indigo

B

ased in Christchurch, Leading Label has transitioned from operating as a small company to become a successful and profitable business.

Central to its success is its owner Bryce Coulbeck and his attitude to running the company. He says, “I love having the opportunity to expand the business and we have used the latest technology as a major factor in achieving our growth goals. Of course, this has to be an ongoing process.”

Recently, Leading Label installed an HP Indigo 6r Digital Press, supplied through Currie Group.

HP Indigo built the 6r Digital Press on the foundation of the narrow web printing solution for digital labels and packaging production, the HP Indigo 6000 series.

Coulbeck says, “We already had the HP Indigo 4600 and it had served us well but we were looking to upgrade. We have a number of reasons to move to the latest technology.

To start with, speed matters for productivity gains. The running speed on the new press is twice that of the old one.”

The press allows converters to produce any narrow format label, flexible packaging, sleeve, IML, wrap around label or folding carton job, with easy and quick changeovers.

It supports 12 to 450 micron materials, including standard media with inline priming.

He says, “The technical experts at HP Indigo have obviously worked out some useful innovations with the 6r.

The web guiding is an area we have seen a great improvement.

There is little to no adhesive build up. Also, we were printing offline but we don’t need to do that now; everything happens in one pass. The HP Indigo 6r also delivers superior colour consistency.”

The HP Indigo 6r Digital Press uses superior liquid ElectroInk technology; the only digital colour printing process that matches gravure printing, according to HP. It achieves high resolution and near perfect registration. Converters can fulfil strict corporate branding requirements using

20

Currie Group and HP Indigo help Leading Label expand its capabilities

seven ink stations and a colour gamut reaching 97 per cent of Pantone colours. Premium white ink provides high opacity in one pass and white for sleeves improves efficiency for converting shrink sleeves.

Mark Daws, director labels and packaging ANZ Currie Group, says, “The HP Indigo 6r Digital Press offers Leading Label opportunities to move ahead and expand its business.

At Currie Group, we are excited with the possibilities the new press offers for Leading Label and we look forward to supporting Bryce and his team as they progress.”

Quality and lower costs Leading Label saves time and money with the HP Indigo 6r Digital Press. Coulbeck says, “Maintenance is far easier. The consumable parts last longer and are easier to change over.

For example the, printing blankets are much easier to change and they last three to four times longer.

“Essentially, it is an offset digital press. We did look at toner-based and inkjet machines but HP Indigo quality is so great and the running costs are also excellent for our business.

“Currie Group offers top back up service; in my opinion, far superior to other offerings in New Zealand. There is no one else offering that level of service in New Zealand and

probably Australia too.”

Craig Paul, country manager for Currie Group New Zealand, says, “The HP Indigo 6r Digital Press is part of a programme where the HP Indigo factory reconditions presses that undergo an extensive parts replacement and testing process to achieve print quality equivalent to a newly manufactured press. It comes with a factory warranty. This programme forms part of HP Indigo’s effort to reduce waste and minimise impact on the environment.

“Bryce and his team at Leading Label can also take advantage of the HP Indigo workflow ecosystem including the high productive digital front end: Production Pro for Labels and Packaging and an array of integrated MIS, pre-press and converting solutions from partners.”

Coulbeck says, “Right now, we are pleased to have made this investment but looking ahead, the HP Indigo 6r Digital Press will open up new markets and allows us to consolidate our presence in others. Previously, we were losing ground in the small to medium run multicolour sector, but this will change.

“We are seeing organic growth and for us that is important: growth and the bottom line. Understanding the growth areas in a mature sector is also important for Leading Label.”

Leading Label owner Bryce Coulbeck flanked by HP Indigo operators Jean- Marie Alleaume (l) and Mark Reihana (r), with the HP Indigo 6r Digital Press

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

SALES

Getting more from less Efficiency remains the solution to the two principal problems that plague print shop owners, says Dave Fellman

A

very long time ago, I worked for Moore Business Forms.

This was back in the early 1980s, and at approximately $2.5bn in sales, Moore was the dominant player in the business forms segment and one of the largest printing companies in the world.

Now, multi-part business forms are rarely seen, and whatever remains of Moore exists who-knows-where. I sometimes tell people that I’m a ghost from a segment of the printing industry that no longer exists.

But Moore was a great organisation in its heyday, and for me, the perfect place to learn about printing and sales.

One of my first teachers was the Eastern Region sales manager for my division, a guy named Clay Less, who was very fond of introducing himself as Less From Moore.

Simple efficiency Clay never seemed to care that ‘less from more’ was not as desirable as ‘more from less’.

He practiced doing more with less, though, in a number of ways. One of the early lessons he taught me was how to stretch my $50 per month entertainment budget. He told me, “You can take a buyer to lunch at a steakhouse for $25,” (Remember, this was in the early 1980s), “or you can take three buyers out to Chinese buffet places for the same money. Most buyers don’t need steak, and you can make more of them happy with Chinese food. It’s simple efficiency.”

Clay also liked to point out that the whole business forms industry was founded on the principle of efficiency.

Using carbon paper (and later carbonless), one writing could 22

DAVE FELLMAN

How do you fit more into less? Is that even the right question you should ask about your business? produce two or more copies.

That was a very big deal in the days before copy and printing machines.

Time and money Efficiency is still the solution to the two principal shortages that plague print shop owners: time and money. If you have more than enough of either or both, congratulations. Otherwise, please read on.

The money part is pretty straightforward. If you can’t afford everything that you want, you have to make do with less. Dollars coming in must be greater than dollars going out, or else you are in trouble.

But let’s think about that money going out. What is it paying for?

I would like you to consider the idea that there are only two categories of expense: time and other. Paper, ink and toner fall into the category of other.

Payroll expense falls into the category of time.

If you are paying rent, or a mortgage, that falls into the category of other. If you are contemplating a new piece of equipment, or an improvement to your facility, either of which will make you more efficient, that falls into the category of time.

The point I’m hoping to make is that, when money is limited, you should use as much of it as you can on things that will make you more efficient.

The key to success in doing more with less is to increase the return on your investment of time.

Everybody’s time As noted, payroll expense falls into the category of time. In other words, this is not just about your time, it’s about everybody’s time.

So, here are the million dollar questions: • How much time gets wasted in my operation?

• Who’s doing the wasting?

• How do I make these wasters more efficient?

There’s no one size fits all solution to this sort of problem, but I can tell you the most likely solution only has two parts: training and motivation.

If your employees, or you for that matter, do not know how to perform a task efficiently, someone has to teach them.

And if your employees, or you, for that matter, need motivation to perform, someone has to provide that.

Think about the term human resources. Now think about this: the best way to do more with less is to have your human resources performing at peak efficiency. Evaluation, training, and motivation are the keys.

Dave Fellman, president of David Fellman & Associates, a graphic arts industry consulting firm based in Cary, NC, USA, is a popular speaker who has delivered keynotes and seminars across New Zealand Australia, USA, Canada, England, and Ireland.

He has authored several books including ‘Listen to the Dinosaur’ (2010) and ‘Sell More Printing!’ (2021). Visit www. davefellman.com.

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

WIDE FORMAT +Plus

Taya Groups releases world’s first eco calculator for large format banner materials Becoming more sustainable • When to laminate • Coping with change

WIDE FORMAT NEWS

Aristo appoints Computaleta as a channel partner Aristo Cutting Solutions has appointed Computaleta as a channel partner.

Aaron Kemp, hardware manager at Computaleta, says, “This appointment gives Computaleta a solution across the digital cutting spectrum, including industrial high volume users. Aristo’s German made and engineered cutting tables can solve even the most demanding cutting tasks with precision and reliability., especially for customers who have significant volumes to produce.

“Its Aristomat machines offer a cutting width of up to 5200mm. You can completely customise them with numerous application specific tool heads. Applications include die-cutting, kiss-cutting,

Aaron Kemp, hardware manager at Computaleta creasing, scoring, punching, milling or labelling. They handle a variety of materials including ACM, acrylic, cardboard boxes, foils, foams, laminates, technical fabrics, cardboards, wood, hardboard and non-ferrous metals.

“The Aristomats are as diverse as the graphics industry. You can process all conceivable materials with a variety of tool heads to choose from, to cut cleanly and quickly. Swapping applications from routing ridged materials to cutting

fabrics, banners or stickers is effortless as the machine selects the right tool head for all the various ways to cut a product.

“Aristo is also the only cutting table that can cut ACM with a blade.

“Its software saves all required values, allowing a change of operator without losing any knowledge of how to cut. Whether sheeting or on a roll, an automatic material feed always ensures that the cut is continued precisely.

An automatic eye camera system checks the material distortion of the print and corrects the cut exactly to the designer contour.

“Our dedicated team looks forward to demonstrating the Aristomat’s capabilities to our customers.”

New inks arrive for Roland DG Roland DG has announced the addition of EUV5 Orange and Red UV-curable inks for use in the VersaUV LEC2 series of UV-LED printer cutters.

Aarque Group supplies Roland DG solutions in New Zealand.

With integrated printing and cutting, diverse media support and ease of use, Roland DG says the LEC2 series UV printer cutters are ideal for the quick turnaround of numerous applications, including adhesive decals, labels and

stickers, signs, POP, backlit panels, interior décor and packaging prototypes.

Tony Miller, president of the global sales and marketing division for Roland DG, says, “The LEC2 series is characterised by its versatility, quick turnaround, and unique special printing capabilities for high value added expression on a wide range of compatible media.”

In addition to CMYK, Clear, White, and Primer, EUV5 UV ink now supports new Orange and Red inks

as process colours. CMYK + Orange + Red expands the colour gamut by approximately 20 per cent, increasing the number of Pantone colours reproduced by approximately 200 colours compared to fourcolour CMYK. The company says its True Rich Colour print settings maximise the potential of hardware and inks to produce stunningly vibrant graphics with neutral greys, smooth gradations and natural skin tones. It adds that the new

inks make it possible to more accurately reproduce brand colours that were previously difficult, if not impossible.

Miller adds, “We feel confident the addition of Orange and Red UV inks will bring more value and competitiveness to our customers’ businesses.

Roland DG will continue contributing to the development of the printing industry by providing products and services that expand our customers’ creative possibilities.”

Additive acquisition boosts Kornit portfolio Kornit Digital has acquired textile additive manufacturer Voxel8.

Voxel8’s advanced additive manufacturing technology for textiles allows for digital fabrication of functional features.

In addition, it enables zonal control of material properties.

Ronen Samuel, chief executive at Kornit Digital, says, “Voxel8’s innovative 24

technologies and talent will help us accelerate the execution of our 4.0 strategy. Consequently, we intend to digitise sustainable, on-demand textile production.

“With this advanced and proven 3D technology, we will disrupt the business of fashion. In addition, we will empower completely new creative decorative concepts and never-before-

seen functional textile applications. Further, it enables exploration of new lucrative opportunities in the functional apparel and footwear markets.”

Fred von Gottberg, president and chief executive at textile additive manufacturer Voxel8, says, “Some of the world’s leading global fashion and footwear brands have tested Voxel8’s innovative and sustainable

technology. We can enable the digital creation of decorative and functional applications, eliminating time and waste from the manufacturing process.

“Voxel8 shares Kornit’s vision of transforming the textile industry. We couldn’t be more excited to be part of the journey to build the operating system of sustainable fashion on demand.”

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

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WIDE FORMAT

Kavalan calculator enables environmental comparison

T

aya Groups has launched the world’s first eco calculator for large format banner materials.

The new solution enables businesses to evaluate the eco savings of Kavalan PVC-free banner and textiles. It uses data based on the life cycle analysis process conducted through SGS, a leading global testing, inspection and certification company.

Stark Digital supplies Kavalan solutions in New Zealand. Dave Raos, founder and owner of Stark Digital, says, “As Taya Groups distributor here in New Zealand, using the eco calculator allows us to show you how much you are saving environmentally by not using PVC based equivalent product.”

SGS has conducted life cycle analyses on all the latest Kavalan products. Taya Groups says the data proves that Kavalan materials provide significant eco savings. The company has 12 products available for comparison with their PVC banner and textile counterparts on the Kavalan eco calculator.

Raos says, “The Kavalan range of banner materials offers supreme quality, strength and performance with none of the ecologically-toxic elements of a traditional PVC banner.

Kavalan has a key focus on a zero-toxic end of life disposal and a reduced environmental impact throughout the entire production process. At Stark Digital, we see Kavalan making a difference environmentally.”

Vincent Lin, vice president,

Kavalan produces PVC-free banner materials and textiles

Stark Digital looks forward to supplying PVC-free Kavalan products to the local market

Dave Raos, founder and owner of Stark Digital 26

Taya Groups, says, “At Taya, we put a great deal of effort into ensuring Kavalan has outstanding environmental credentials. We continuously strive to make our products even more environmentally friendly but that is not enough.

We need to ensure businesses understand how Kavalan products can help them meet their sustainable goals.

“We also want them to see how significant the eco savings are compared with PVC banner and textiles. So, we launched this solution for large format banner materials.”

Personalised reports The web-based eco calculator uses comparison data from five prevalent environmental impacts. These are global warming, water consumption, human carcinogens, PM2.5 (polluted particles), and fossil fuel scarcity. Users enter the chosen Kavalan product, their preferred measurement unit, and the quantity. The calculator

generates the eco savings result automatically and sends a personalised PDF to their inbox.

Kavalan distribution partners can easily access the eco calculator with a personalised report. Lin adds, “We continue to rapidly expand our worldwide distribution network. Large format print businesses working with, or pitching to, agencies and brands have a powerful tool in the Kavalan eco calculator with no more lazy claims about recyclability, sustainability, or being eco-friendly. This tangibly demonstrates how it can help with crucial environmental targets, without compromising on quality.”

Raos says Stark Digital is currently the country’s largest banner supplier, soft signage and probably the largest in floor films as well.

He adds, “We are extending the Kavalan range for our New Zealand customers. No other product in this space delivers the data that Kavalan does.

The support numbers they give enables customers to have confidence in sending the used product to landfill, where it can break down. It does not leak toxins or carcinogens. It will break down over 35 per cent in the first 70 days of going to landfill. The balance will break down over time with a neutral effect to the environment.

“So, it is meaningful to partner with Kavalan in its environmentally responsible mission. Sharing this with our customers, as they create amazing graphics with Kavalan products here in New Zealand, enables all of to play a part in helping to protect our planet.”

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

info@starkdigital.co.nz

We are committed to sustainability – are you?

A

re you concerned about your end waste? Are you looking for direction on how to make or lead positive lifetime changes?

The NZSDA, together with some leading suppliers of the industry, have come together and are trying to ensure that more sustainable options are made available for sign makers, and for their customers.

The challenge starts as we begin to seek out solutions on managing and mitigating end waste for a better circular economy and the future sign makers. We need to gather feedback from the industry so that we can better understand the different perspectives, concerns, or arrangements.

We must implement a pathway forward so we can establish some clear processes and procedures with our suppliers and industry to maintain a full circular economy.

Every conversation, and every small intention helps as we begin this journey. Taking action is good for your business; it is good for your people, your staff; and it is good for your community. Leading and inspiring other local businesses to become more sustainable can gain momentum very quickly.

This is because it can boost your sales and your reputation within your community. It can also help you to motivate your staff.

You can start to lead change just by looking at some key ways in which you can manage outcomes. How do you move your people and your products?

Have you looked at how your office or site operations and equipment are used? Also, sign makers can make a real difference right at the beginning of the production process with the design of products.

Making positive change quickly through the design of products involves sign makers using the power to make the change through their knowledge of the what and how end products are 28

More of this: customers want sign makers to use more environmentally friendly products

The time has come to plan and take action to make our industry more sustainable, says Melissa Coutts

manufactured. This can also make the design last longer, as they may choose to ensure that they will be reusable, recyclable or repairable. Customers will love it. Keep in mind that the sign maker must take responsibility for every stage of the product. This means considering the whole life cycle.

Sustainable options Products can have an environmental impact before you start making them, while you are making them, while your customers are using them, and when they are no longer needed. So, small changes you make to materials, operations, and waste management can add up to one big positive change.

Almost all customers now want more sustainable options with their products. So why not please them and build loyalty, while at the same time reducing waste. Tweaking or rethinking products to become more sustainable can also expose ideas for new ones.

If you are also looking for ways to reduce emissions, you have numerous options. You can ask for suppliers to deliver

with bare packaging; you can source locally; you can change to reusable materials; and you can look for options with a sustainable certification.

Avoiding materials that are hard to separate into recycling, like single use items, and making an effort to re-purpose materials can gain you loyalty from both customers and staff. Join or start a take back scheme. Ask your customers to bring back their items when done, so you can re-purpose or reuse. Alternatively, ask your suppliers to pick up unused items in bulk once a month.

Tweaking how you can work with less energy, and understanding how you use it and reduce it, will improve your business operations.

Doing this can knock dollars off your overheads and increase production workflow.

Lastly, believe in the power of your people: your staff members. Embrace their ideas and their passion. After all, they work and breathe your business every day. When they know their opinions and ideas are heard, they feel valued and appreciated and encouraged to make sustainability happen.

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

President Post – the power of networking

I

nformation is gold and there is no better way to gather this valuable resource than by using your NZSDA membership.

Sign shops share the same ongoing issues, and Covid lockdowns have put additional tensions on our businesses. But one great thing is that we are not alone. Talk to your fellow members. Each of us have different experience and ways of dealing with things, so sharing this valuable information can help each other handle the issues we all face.

Whether it is staffing and management issues, or simply which media to use on a certain vehicle, having another signee’s opinion can save your shop time, money, and stress. The NZSDA encourages you to reach out and talk to fellow members, even just to check how they are going. Facing these trials together builds a united front and together, our industry will continue to beat the Covid blues and other challenges.

The NZSDA has a private Facebook page where you can share any issues with other members to get their opinions.

This is proving to be a great

ANDY LOWE, PRESIDENT NZSDA

The NZSDA is your link to the most important business tool: information You are not alone. Belonging to the NZSDA means you can reach out to other members, even just to check in and see how they are doing resource. Or you can simply call your fellow members and ask their opinion. Our doors are always open to our members as well. If we can’t offer any suggestions, we can point you the right direction.

I have learned that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of wisdom. I have also found my staff to be a great source of useful information.

These are the people who are

beside you every day, but they can also look into your business from another viewpoint with some valuable input.

Most importantly, keeping an open mind to change and other ways of doing things has proven invaluable to me in my day to day business and personal life. Understanding I am not alone has given me the reassurance I have needed to continue to strive for success.

Secretary Note – how can you cope with ongoing change?

P

lans were in place and visits were booked but on the eve of lockdown, it all came to a halt. My travel plans for the beginning of my adventure to the North Island, to visit NZSDA members, were cancelled.

Whangarei, and surrounding townships, were my destination. I was very much looking forward to venturing to Northland to visit a number of members, some veterans and some new kids on the block, and all good sorts from the region. Unsure of when my travel plans will get back on track, it seems that thinking a little bit differently sure goes a long way these days as I was forced to discover new ways newzealandprinter.co.nz

MELISSA COUTTS, SECRETARY NZSDA

Melissa Coutts says adjusting to change has its challenges

to connect and engage in this unusual time.

Adjusting to instant changes, certainly has its challenges I want to share a few ideas that have helped me stay focused and on track.

Firstly, I ask myself, what is the worst that can happen?

Many of us fear change but what we are often really afraid of is the unknown. A good way to deal with the unknown is to consider all the different possible outcomes, and then decide on the best and worst case scenarios. Another strategy is to think about the last time you were faced with a big change, how did you get through it? Often, it’s not as bad as it first appears.

Ask, how much can I control? Having an understanding of how much control you have of the situation will definitely help you put things into perspective.

Accepting that things can happen beyond your control and choosing to be comfortable with it is more likely to bring you a greater peace of mind.

View change as an opportunity to learn and grow gives you the freedom and the power to move forward.

Importantly, embrace the positives. This may be a tough ask, but focusing on all the good things can really help you manage change as you plan for the future. Always try to make the best of the situation.

September 2021

29

Creating signs that work by Dzine

A

love for creating great signs has taken Dustin Brattle from his apprenticeship to helming one of the country’s premier sign companies.

He says, “I started straight out of school in 1993. After I completed my apprenticeship, I went into business with my father Steve, starting Dzine Signs in 1997.

The company has continually expanded. He says, “We just grew and grew, from beginning in the garage at home and moving to a workshop in Upper Hutt which was 300sqm, a massive step up at the time.

“What we found was that if you are good at what you do people, believe in you.

“By 2009, we had increased staff numbers and had to move again. Our latest move has taken us into a 1500sqm premises, which houses our 22 staff.”

Dzine Signs utilises the latest technology while retaining traditional sign techniques

Family business Dzine Signs employs a mix of qualified and trainee staff including, proudly for Dustin, five apprentices. Among the other staff are a tradesman builder, three spray painters, a glazier, and several designers.

Last September, Steve Brattle retired, selling his share in the business to Allister and Tracy Jeans, who also own Big Colour, with Aaron King, in Auckland.

Family business: Dustin and Lisa Brattle 30

Full circle: Steve Brattle (r) and Howard White of LB White Plumbing, which was Steve’s first and last customer Dustin says, “It is working well. We were family based and we have retained that core, so it still feels like a family business.

We are left to do our own thing.

Allister and Tracy have an ‘if it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it’ attitude, which we really appreciate.”

New technology Dzine Signs handles some big contracts. He says, “The likes of Kiwi Rail and the Wellington City Council keep us busy. We have survived all right through the Covid-19 lockdowns, but this latest one has been quiet.

We have plenty of work that needs completing; it is just a matter of what we can do under the rules. Once we get out of Level Three, we can get back to what we do best.”

He sees technology as a necessity in the industry. He says, “I feel really passionately about sign as a trade but I am also open minded about using technology. We adopted new solutions in the early stages of digital and we have always kept up to date with the latest print gear.

“This certainly helps to keeps us at the forefront as Dzine Signs is not the usual type of sign shop.”

Dzine Signs has amassed a comprehensive array of

technical solutions, installing some of the best gear seen in sign shops in New Zealand.

Dustin adds, “We take pride in looking for new tools to add to the company’s skill set.”

A love of brush work Despite the pragmatic approach to running the business, Dustin retains his passion for signwriting.

He says, “I love the artistic signage. If there was a larger market for hand painted work, I would do it all day and every day. I usually put my hand up for it when a job like that comes in. And even though Dad is retired at 71 years, we still get him to do brush work from time to time.”

Dzine Signs takes customers’ ambitions seriously. He says, “When you rock into the workshop, I try to find the type of person you are and where you want to take your business.

From there, I can tailor your design to suit your needs. We love the jobs where the client says, ‘Just go nuts’ and we have won awards with those jobs.

“It is a great trade. LB White, a plumbing company, was Dad’s first customer. We had a job to do for them so we had Dad do that as his last job. It kind of completed a full circle in history.”

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

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Individualised Insurance packages from small to large sign companies and debit recovery.

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DON’T WAIT, JOIN TODAY AND ADD VALUE TO YOUR BRAND!

Contact 0800 0800 52 or email secretary@nzsda.org.nz Visit the NZSDA website for further membership enquiry at www.nzsda.org.nz

WIDE FORMAT

Making the decision to laminate, or not Knowing when to laminate can save time and money

E

veryone agrees that lamination can add value to the work you produce but the question has to be: To laminate or not to laminate? Have you ever asked yourself this? If not, then perhaps you should. It could be the difference between winning or losing your next job.

Laminates are an integral part of graphics and will be for years to come. However, there is a time and place for them, as well as occasions and applications when they might not be needed.

So, what are the reasons for laminating? The most common use for lamination is to protect your output from the elements, such as UV degradation.

Lamination will enhance outdoor durability. You can also use laminates to finish a job with gloss, lustre or matte textures or to add an extra property to the graphic such as an anti-graffiti coating or slip resistance.

Laminates can also be used to add body and thickness to your output. This can be particularly useful when printing onto thinner materials; the extra layer will stop the graphic stretching and simplify the installation process.

All of the above should be considered when planning print jobs. However, there are some additional things to consider.

Firstly, when it comes to UV protection, lamination is a must for long-term applications if they are to stand the test of time. After all, these projects will be exposed to the elements and will need support if they are going to survive.

If your focus is on protecting the ink layer of a graphic, you should also consider laminating all long-term work. This applies to both indoors and outdoors, as well as output that will be situated in high traffic locations such as corridors and hallways.

When considering lamination for finishing effects, this is only necessary on some occasions as most print media is available in different finishes.

Newer print hardware even 32

The most common use for lamination is to protect your output from the elements

Lamination is a must for long-term applications if they have to stand the test of time allows for gloss and matte output from the get-go through their ink setup.

Long-term and short-term DENNIS LEBLANC

Have you noticed a reoccurring theme in this discussion around lamination? Most of the reasoning behind lamination is for longer term applications, or, to put it simply, projects that will remain in place for more than one year.

This presents the question: what about short-term revolving graphics? Do you need to laminate these as well?

Outside of the need for adding additional functionality to the graphic, in most short-term applications you can eliminate the need for laminating by choosing a thicker print media with an easy install or removable adhesive solution.

These materials will do the job wonderfully and avoid the added cost and labour of lamination, providing substantial savings for you and your clients.

Today’s print media offerings have addressed this with materials and dot adhesives for easy installation and removable solutions that won’t stretch as you work with them. To that point, there are now textured solutions readily available that can provide scuff, scratch and slip resistance on their own.

Taking all this into account, perhaps ask yourself again: to laminate or not to laminate? It might just save you both time and money.

Dennis LeBlanc is the territory sales manager for Drytac in Eastern Canada. Stark Digital supplies Drytac In New Zealand.

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

2021

AWARDS New Zealand Printer People In Print and Rising Stars Of Print Awards in association with PrintNZ

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Awards!

It’s time to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of the people in print and rising stars of print in New Zealand

Nominations close Sunday October 17 Awards Presentation Event to be held in Auckland on the evening of Thursday, February 17, 2022

Sponsors announced so far:

Nominate Now How can I get involved?

To enquire about nominating for the Awards, contact Bruce Craig, bruce@newzealandprinter.co.nz, 021 631 559 To enquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Brian Moore, brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz, +61 410 578 876

nzpawards.org

LABELS & PACKAGING

Food packaging safe: Fujifilm Jet Press 750S

F

ujifilm extends the application versatility of the Jet Press 750S, for packaging production, with the use of food-safe ink that enables the press to print on primary food packaging.

The company says the market continues to see a growing increase in the number of packaging brand owners and specifiers looking to achieve greater shelf stand out and to differentiate their products from their competitors. In addition, they are looking to reduce stock holdings and to optimise supply chains.

Importantly, they want to find digital press solutions that will allow them to more profitably print offset quality, customised packaging in much shorter and more frequent runs.

Fujifilm says that its Jet Press 750S folding carton solution already satisfies these requirements. The company says the solution delivers exceptionally consistent, high quality output ready for finishing on carton board or synthetic media up to 600 microns thick.

In fact, around one third of all European customers already produce some form of packaging on the Jet Press.

German print house Straub Druck & Medien is one such customer. Chief executive Francisco Martinez, says, “Packaging buyers want consistency as well as solid and bright colours, and the Jet Press presses are delivering all of this.

“We believe packaging will grow in tandem with our commercial printing operation over the next few years, and the Fujifilm machines are essential to our success in this sector.”

A food safety first The Fujifilm Jet Press 750S is the first B2 digital press approved for primary food packaging.

The new food safe ink forms a key additional component of the Jet Press folding carton solution and enables the solution to meet the growing requirement for a reliable digital solution to produce high quality folding cartons for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, household, and personal care markets.

34

Fujiflm’s food-safe ink enables its Jet Press 750S to print on primary food packaging Safety first: the Fujifilm Jet Press 750S prints on primary food packaging The new, low migration, aqueous food safe ink complies with stringent primary food contact regulations, including Swiss Ordinance 817.023.21 and European Commission Regulation 1935/2004.

The company has specially formulated the ink to work with inline (via a bridge) and nearline UV or aqueous coating.

Belgium-based company Packaging for Professionals is among a number of Jet Press customers currently using the press only for printing packaging, including secondary food packaging. Established to fill a gap in the European packaging market for high quality, low volume packaging produced on demand, it has built its business around the Jet Press. It chief executive and co-founder Mohamed Toual, says, “Traditionally, clients in the packaging industry have doubted the ability of a digital press to match the quality of litho or flexo printing.

“However, our customers have been hugely impressed with the quality of the products we have produced on the Jet Press. The feedback we have received has been universally positive and we are very confident that this will continue.”

Software optimisation For companies looking to diversify into packaging, the Jet Press folding carton solution can also incorporate Phoenix imposition and planning software from Tilia Labs. This software optimises the way jobs are collated, or ganged, for printing based on minimising waste or maximising printing speed. This ganging function supports true shape nesting

and automatically provides users with different options to arrange jobs.

The Jet Press 750S features new Samba printheads. Each B2 width print bar containing 17 individually replaceable modular printheads and each of those has 2048 nozzles, ensuring the press can achieve native resolutions of 1200 x 1200 dpi.

“The print bar also takes advantage of VersaDrop technology, allowing precise control and paper placement for the size and shape of each ink drop. The replaceable modular printheads also significantly reduce the necessity for system downtime and minimise breaks in production for press maintenance, with a traditional offset fed paper feed mechanism providing high registration accuracy and reliable operation.

Taro Aoki, Head of Digital Press Solutions in EMEA for Fujifilm, says, “With the ongoing trend towards more creative, personalised and shorter run packaging, forward-thinking converters are increasingly looking for digital printing technologies that offer the reliability and print quality their existing systems have delivered, but with the ability to profitably print short runs. The Jet Press 750S has proved itself as a high-performance and highly versatile press.

“The introduction of our new, food-safe ink, together with options for inline and nearline coating and specialist pre-press software, takes that versatility to a new level and will appeal to many folding carton converters.”

For more information on the Jet Press , please contact Fujifilm New Zealand.

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

LABELS & PACKAGING XXX

Inside the MCC acqu

H

exagon Holdings, which operates as the holding company for a number of specialist narrow web label converters in Australia and New Zealand, has inked a binding Sale and Purchase Agreement whereby global label solutions provider Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) will acquire its businesses.

The subsidiary companies in the deal are Hally Labels Australia, Label Partners Australia, Adhesif Labels New Zealand, Hally Labels New Zealand, Kiwi Labels New Zealand and Rapid Labels New Zealand.

One of the world’s largest label companies, MCC covers market segments that include beverage; wine and spirits; food and dairy; personal care and beauty; home care and laundry; healthcare; durables and technical; automotive; and chemicals.

With more than 9,000 employees, it operates some 80 label producing operations in over 27 countries. Established in 1916,and headquartered in the US, MCC has a long history in labels, having operated in different forms for more than 100 years.

It is one of the world’s largest producers of high quality, pressure sensitive, in mold, and heat transfer labels and a major manufacturer of cut and stack, roll fed, aluminum and shrink sleeve labels. The company services primary market segments around the world through operations in the North American, Latin American, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Asia Pacific regions.

MCC came into being as an entity with the amalgamation of two businesses. Its parent company, Platinum Equity, which acquired MCC in 2019 in a public to private transaction, combined it with WS Packaging, another US-based labelling company the firm acquired in 2018.

The Hexagon acquisition announcement has subsequently has a sequel with

36

American Label giant MCC has signed up to acquire six Hexagon label businesses across New Zealand and Australia

Hally Labels Australia’s Brisbane factory floor

Adhesif Labels began in 1981

Label Partners Australia is based in Adelaide

Hally Label’s digital print room

private equity group Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) signing a definitive agreement to acquire MCC. This agreement should also close by the end of 2021 subject to customary regulatory approvals and other conditions.

Further, in connection with the recent MCC and CD&R transaction, CD&R also announced its signing of yet another definitive agreement to acquire Fort Dearborn from Advent International, and that it intends to combine MCC and Fort Dearborn to create a global label solutions company that will serve consumer packaged goods companies worldwide.

Nigel Vinecombe, chief executive at MCC, says, “At MCC, we have continually worked to invest in our people, processes and technology in order to strengthen our organisation and become one of the most trusted and innovative label manufacturing leaders across the globe.

“Platinum Equity’s financial and operational support have been instrumental to our success.

“This combination with Fort Dearborn and the ongoing support of value added investors provide the opportunity to continue to

Rapid Labels is based in Auckland

strengthen the business and provide best in class service to our customers.”

Nate Sleeper, chief executive at CD&R, says, bringing together the two label manufacturers will result in strong strategic logic and promising value creation potential.

He says, We look forward to working with the combined company’s leadership team to help drive innovation and enhance its offering to a highly discerning customer base around the world. We see numerous opportunities to drive operational scale, achieve sustained growth, and we believe our expertise can help position the combined company for success well into the future.”

The combination of Fort Dearborn and MCC will create a diversified platform across label technologies, end categories, geographies and customers. The combined company is expected to generate approximately US$3bn ($4.21bn) of annual revenue.

In addition, MCC’ should complete the transaction with Hexagon later this year, following confirmation of foreign investment regulatory approvals.

Following the completion of

September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

LABELS & PACKAGING XXX

quisition of Hexagon the acquisition, Daren Hudson, MCC president for Australia and New Zealand, will lead MCC’s enlarged Australasian group. Greg Howell, chief executive at Hexagon will assist across an agreed transitional period.

Vinecombe says, “Bringing these companies together creates an impressive Australasian network and clear market leadership in the region. We are delighted to be welcoming Hexagon’s staff, clients and suppliers to the MCC family.”

Clark Perkins, chair at Hexagon Holdings, says, “We are proud to have established Hexagon and built its operations over the past eight years to be the leading manufacturer of self-adhesive labels in Australasia. We can see many opportunities for the combined business in the Australian and New Zealand markets. The announcement is the culmination of the efforts of all of our employees throughout our ownership and we are deeply grateful for their efforts.”

Hexagon’s label growth MCC says that all existing arrangements with Hexagon employees, clients and suppliers will continue seamlessly.

Hexagon subsidiaries employ 510 staff, own 63 label presses, and operate from eight production sites including Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch and Sydney. It produces self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, linerless wraps and VIP solutions for clients across Australia and New Zealand.

Hexagon’s genesis began in 2012 when Tiri Group acquired Auckland-based Rapid Labels.

Early in January 2013, Tom Sturgess and Mercury Capital purchased the Blue Star New Zealand and Webstar New Zealand businesses. Bundled inside that group was Panprint, the specialist Auckland-based wine label converter.

Later that year, after Geon New Zealand went into receivership, the business acquired the assets of Kiwi newzealandprinter.co.nz

Kiwi Labels, based in Christchurch, has a strong reputation for quality label production Labels in Christchurch. In that early period, Greg Howell successfully led the collective that included Rapid Labels, Kiwi Labels, and Panprint.

In July 2014, the business consolidated its label assets to be owned by a holding company, which it named Hexagon. The formation of Hexagon saw a set of private investors, led by Sydney-based Mercury Capital, increase their involvement in Australasian labels.

In late 2015, Hexagon emerged from a contested sale process as successful bidders for the Hally Group.

This included acquiring Hally Labels in Brisbane, Christchurch, and Auckland; AC Labels in Sydney; and Mark-it Labels in Christchurch.

In early 2016, the family of the late Rob Warren, along with Steve Cowie, selected Hexagon as appropriate owners of Adhesif Labels. Under Warren’s direction, Adhesif had been a leader in Australia New Zealand labels for 35 years.

Adhesif joined Hexagon in April 2016.

During 2016, AC Labels was fully integrated into Hally Labels in Sydney, creating Hally NSW, a platform that enabled Hexagon to expand its market position in the critical market.

Kiwi Labels joined forces with Mark-it Labels in July 2017, creating a larger, broad based business across multiple market verticals.

Kiwi Label’s two Christchurch sites combined in Heathcote, happened simultaneously with the arrival of new converting capability and capacity.

In April 2018, Rapid Labels

acquired the trading assets of Panprint, with clients, equipment and staff migrating to Rapid. This enhanced Hexagon’s competitive position in the local wine industry.

The merger opened up Rapid’s leading wine embellishment suite for Panprint’s client base and enabled Rapid to invest in additional equipment for the top end of wine and craft beverage decoration.

In February 2021, Hally Australia and Adhesif Australia joined forces creating a single Australian business under the Hally brand that has been key in Hally building out a multi state Australian network.

In April 2021, Hexagon also completed the acquisition of Adelaide wine specialists, Label Partners. Label Partners and Hally Labels are expected to amalgamate later this calendar year.

In the meantime, the business is trading as Label Partners (a division of Hally Labels). Post-amalgamation, it will evolve to be Hally Labels SA.

MCC expansion MCC has already made inroads into the Australia New Zealand labels space. It recently acquired Melbourne based Herrods, a provider of in mould label (IML) solutions, for an undisclosed sum.

Vinecombe says the acquisition came about as a result of demand for IML solutions as it is a high growth labelling technology in which pre-printed labels are inserted into a packaging mould during a container’s manufacturing process, resulting in the creation of a fully recyclable, cost-effective, durable and consistent product.

He says, “IML solutions are in high demand globally and Herrods is one of the best, most innovative providers in the industry.

“For more than 50 years, the company has continually invested in its people, processes and technology, making it a valued and trusted partner to a wide range of local and international brands.”

September 2021

37

PRIDE IN PRINT

Industry turns out to celebrate

W

ithout doubt, this year’s highly anticipated Pride In Print Awards exceeded expectations, as industry members joined together to celebrate the best of the best in print. We took the opportunity to catch attendees enjoying themselves at the live event after missing out on a shindig last year.

Jenkins Group

Dave Gick (l) of Award Winner anLogick Print, the 2020 Suprem Business Innova d Greg O’Shannassy, Fujfilm e tion

Kale Print

and Nekkorb Labelmakers

with the 2020 Tainui Press ton oo H a Vaness

the Ye Apprentice of

ar

Wedderburn

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September 2021

newzealandprinter.co.nz

PRIDE IN PRINT

e at the Pride In Print Awards

ner Business Print Gold Medal Win

Industry Developm ent

s

Gold Medal Winn ers

Friends of the Awards: Pakworld

Category Winne rs

ners edal Win M ld o G Labels

Soar Print winners, from left : Fred Soar; Alex Huynh, Tra of the Year; and Travis Jordan, iner Apprentice of the Year

Continued on page 40 newzealandprinter.co.nz

September 2021

39

PRIDE IN PRINT Continued from page 39

Pride in Prin t Awards Sp onsors

APC Innovate

ers edal Winn ns Gold M Publicatio

Hally Labels

Hot Printz

Horton Media

40

September 2021

newzealandprinter.co.nz

PRIDE IN PRINT

Rapid Lab els

d Friends BJ Ball Papers an

Soar Print

ilary Hurley and H e emcees Ben Our awesom

newzealandprinter.co.nz

arta Visy and Ch

Barry

Special Awar current chai d: Scott Por ter former r, Lisa Hegh Pride In Prin t chair with

September 2021

41

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September 2021 newzealandprinter.co.nz

PRINTED IN NZ ENTRIES OPEN SOON! Get ahead and start gathering all those entries together!

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