6 Issue 254 - August / September 2024 www.signlink.co.uk INDUSTRY / NEWS signlink signlink signlinkmagazine The safety and legality of Mumbai billboards have been questioned following the devastating collapse of a large hoarding in the city. At the time of writing, it was reported that 14 people had been killed and at least 75 injured after the 70m x 50m hoarding fell onto houses and a petrol station in May. Reports say that the collapse was caused by a severe storm that included “speedy winds” causing the billboard to sway before crashing down and trapping several vehicles below. Local authorities have stated that the billboard was several times larger than the permitted size and the agency that erected the billboard did not have permission to do so. The hoarding has been in place since 2021, and according to local journalists was rented out at ₹2 crore a month (£189,000). According to journalist Linah Baliga, the BMC wrote to the Government Railway Police (GRP), which manages the land, about the illegality of the billboard in 2021 to which the GRP said that they did not need the BMC’s permission. The case is now in the Supreme Court. The role of the GRP is to observe law and order in all railway properties. The BMC has said that 179 illegal billboards still stand in different spots throughout Mumbai. In 2015 a woman was seriously injured after a four-tonne digital billboard fell from a site in London. At the time Clear Channel investigated the installation and 39 others that were rolled out around that time. Fourteen killed after Mumbai billboard collapses Iron advertising structures, like the 100-foot billboard that fell, can become victim to rust in harsh weather ISA-UK reverts back to BSGA The new logo for the rebranded BSGA The British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA) and the International Sign Association (ISA) have amicably concluded their formal alliance meaning a rebrand for the UK association. The BSGA has been known as ISA-UK since 2019 when it formed its alliance with the US signage association. The two entities have assured members that a “robust collaboration” between the two groups will still exist. The rebrand back to BSGA comes with a new logo and new visuals for the various membership certifications that the association has distributed to members along with detailed documentation outlining the working guidelines for being a BSGA member. Gary Bagstaff, managing director of Print Sauce has recently taken on the role of vice president of the BSGA. FaberExposize, a wide-format printer based in Leeds, recently printed a set of large memorial banners for the beloved Leeds Rhinos legend, Rob Burrow. The commemorative crowd banners, each measuring 35m by 20m, were a focal point of the Challenge Cup Final, held at Wembley Stadium. The project saw the team work around the clock to meet its extraordinary turnaround time which despite other large deadlines, the team felt they had to undertake. Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in December 2019 which led to him raising awareness of the disease with fellow rugby player, Kevin Sinfield. On June 2nd, 2024, Burrow died from MND aged 41 at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield. FaberExposize honours Rob Burrow Registration has officially opened for the second edition of WrapFest, the specialist vehicle wrapping event organised by FESPA. Taking place from October 3rd to 4th at the famous Silverstone racetrack in Northamptonshire in the UK, the 2024 event will again play host to exhibitors from across the vehicle wrapping and graphics sector. Confirmed exhibitors so far include Adapt Amari Digital, All Print Supplies, William Smith, 3M, Garware Hi-Tech Films, and HP, with visitors able to learn more about their latest solutions for vehicle wrapping. The 2024 show will have a heightened focus on education and training as well as hosting the regional UK & Ireland World Wrap Masters heat. WrapFest is returning to Silverstone racetrack this year after a successful debut in 2023 Crowds held up large banners dedicated to Rob Burrow and his work for the MND Association Registration opens for FESPA’s WrapFest 2024 According to CMYUK, there has been a significant rise in Fiery Prep-it software sales which the supplier has hailed “a new era in pre-press efficiency and material savings”. The software solution enables the prep, layout, and automated production of printfor-cut jobs and connects seamlessly to any RIP, printer, digital cutter, or router able to process PDF files. This enables various brands to be integrated and enables printers and sign-makers to leverage their existing equipment. Other features of the software include free-angle true shape nesting technology which optimises specified surface dimensions by placing jobs as a group in the most space-efficient way possible. According to CMYUK, Prep-it reduces setup time by 90%. CMYUK reports rise in Fiery Prep-it sales Amira Bouchiba [R], CMYUK Academy Manager in a Prep-it training session By David Osgar
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