Issue 347 - March / April 2024 www.printmonthly.co.uk FESPA Global Print Expo ▲ We speak with exhibitors and event organisers about what to expect Page 28 & 30 Premier Paper Group From a special company culture to eco initiatives, we highlight Premier Paper Page 36 Hybrid Machines Is one really better than two when it comes to investing in new technology? Page 65 Need for More Tech Adoption Ricoh comments on a lack of technology adoption within businesses in the UK Page 08 Siegwerk Celebrates 200 Years Founded in 1824, family-owned Siegwerk is celebrating 200 years in business Page 18 Women in Print We speak to women in the print industry in celebration of International Women’s Day Page 49
3 CONTENTS Issue 347 March / April 2024 www.printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 ISSN 2976-9213 NEWS Industry 06 Business 12 Micropress has invested £3.5m in the business to broaden its offerings for its customers Kit & Media 20 Environment 24 People 26 events 28 SPECIALS Under the Hood: Fujifilm ApeosPro C series 33 Company Spotlight: premier paper group 36 Under the Hood: Xeikon LX3000 LION 39 COLIN SINCLAIR MCDERMOTT: INDUSTRY TIPS 42 litho printing 45 International Women’s Day 2024 49 We speak to women in print about their biggest learning curves and proudest moments event spotlight: peak performance print 2024 52 FEATURES lamination equipment 57 How can the latest developments in lamination equipment help to level up print finishing? workflow software 61 hybrid machines 65 textile and garment print 69 IN THIS ISSUE 69 10 45 36 49 52 14 30
ISSUE 347March / April 2024 FESPA Global Print Expo March 19th to 22nd RAI Amsterdam, the Netherlands www.fespaglobalprintexpo.com The Print Show September 17th to 19th NEC, Birmingham, UK www.theprintshow.co.uk Publishing director Page Tuck Sales director Chris Davies Lead contributor Rob Fletcher Contributors Brian Sims, Colin Sinclair McDermott Contact Editorial: 0117 980 5040 Sales: 0117 960 3255 Production: 0117 980 5041 Accounts: 0117 980 5042 Find us online www.printmonthly.co.uk Socials All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher. The views expressed by contributors to Print Monthly magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or editorial team and Link Publishing Ltd. takes no responsibility for any errors that may have occurred. The publisher also accepts no responsibility for the advertising content, including any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Link Publishing Ltd. retains the right to publish and re-publish any images or information sent to the publication. Link Publishing Ltd, Unit G, Link House, Britton Gardens, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1TF Editor Carys Evans carys@linkpublishing.co.uk Online editor David Osgar david@linkpublishing.co.uk Production Shaun Edwards shaun@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales Tim Hall tim@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales Luke Stoneham luke@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Kathryn Quinn kat@linkpublishing.co.uk Office therapist Skye PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Printed on Sappi Magno Satin from EBB Paper CBP00015512002182040 March / April 2024 - Issue 347 4 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Hello and welcome to our March/April issue of Print Monthly! As I am writing this, the sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and it finally feels like we have turned the corner as we enter our final days of the ‘Tuesday of the Year’ that is February. In this issue, we hear more valuable and savvy tips from Colin Sinclair McDermott, aka The Online Print Coach where he discusses how to craft your own unique identity within the print industry (P42). We also speak with some female industry members in celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8th) who tell us all about their careers so far including their biggest learning curves and proudest moments (P49). In our Features, we take a look at the Lamination Equipment available and how this can help you to level up your print jobs (P57), as well as find out what the latest hybrid machines have to offer and ask whether in this case, one is in fact better than two (P65). It’s been a jam-packed time for news as always with the UK having entered a recession and issues in the Red Sea-Suez Canal affecting printers (P06 & P08). We also hear about a new initiative championing Young People In Print and the need to encourage more women in STEM (P08 & P10). Despite challenging economic times, there have been a number of significant business investments with Micropress investing £3.5m in the company and five print experts having joined forces to launch a new spirit labelling business (P12). Finally, with only a few weeks to go, we hear from exhibitors and head of event Michael Ryan to find out what to expect from FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 in Amsterdam (P28 & P30). As always, we hope you enjoy and thanks for reading! EDITOR S NOTE Carys Evans MEET THE TEAM DATES FOR YOUR DIARY VIDEO COVERAGE Scan the QR code to watch our video coverage over on our Print7 YouTube channel
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INDUSTRY / NEWS 6 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Industry members react as the UK falls into recession The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed a 0.3% decline in gross domestic product (GDP) between October and December 2023, meaning technically the UK economy has entered a recession due to GDP falling for two or more quarters in a row. In an announcement on February 15th, Labour shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said: “Rishi Sunak’s promise to grow the economy is now in tatters. The prime minister can no longer credibly claim that his plan is working or that he has turned the corner on more than fourteen years of economic decline.” The ONS says that in terms of output there were falls in all three main sectors in Quarter 4 of 2023 with declines of 0.2% in services, 1.0% in production, and 1.3% in construction output. Speaking to Print Monthly, general manager at the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA), Brendan Perring, says: “What is currently happening is concerning but I do think there is light at the end of the tunnel. As long as nothing else goes wrong, I think this recession will continue through to the middle of the year.” Perring explains that in the past the print sector economy has not always reflected the general economy as often financial turbulence can cause a big amount of competition and marketing from brands and retailers which fight for a “reduced pool of money” which equates to bigger print volumes. “We always base our IPIA analysis off our constant communication with the grassroots of our members,” says Perring, adding: “Members are saying there’s been a noticeable slowdown and business has gone much quieter recently. This encompasses everything from print procurement to technology and machine investment.” In November 2023 the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) released its Printing Outlook which stated that output and orders remained subdued in Q3, but improved confidence meant expectations were positive for Q4. Forecasts at the time expected an improvement in output growth, with the caveat that fewer companies would experience declining growth rather than a seasonal boost for all. Charles Jarrold, chief executive of the BPIF, said: “The survey newly reports on uncertainty levels, thankfully they are now expected to stabilise and, with more than threefifths of the industry with an excellent or good cash flow position, there is well-founded hope for the period ahead.” Regarding the reasons for instabilities in the marketplace and consumer confidence, Perring says the increasing number of global issues are all giving consumers and marketers hesitancy when purchasing or making investments. “If you are a marketeer sitting in the head of a major brand and looking to do a national print run, you are looking at the world stage and you are seeing the disruption in the US, Europe (with the Russia/Ukraine situation), and now in the Middle East. “Looking at that disruption and the fear it instils in consumers will make you think twice about going ahead with your new print campaign which tells everyone how wonderful everything is, and that people should invest in your products.” Regarding the build-up of a recession, Perring has explained how the timeline of the pandemic and the industry recovery since has built up to this moment. “Our overall findings are that during the disruptive Covid period around 40% of print volume was lost as orders were never placed because of the pandemic and then were never placed afterwards. “There was never a re-spike in demand to make up for that loss. Many companies took out various types of loans and were supported by furlough to make up for that loss but as work never increased past normal levels, this put a lot of stress and tension into the market.” Brendan Perring estimates the printing industry is close to 98% of overall printing output compared to before the pandemic By David Osgar
INDUSTRY / NEWS 8 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Following the closure of Arjowiggins and its historic paper mills including Stoneywood paper mill, which operated for over 250 years, the ramifications of the closure have hit news headlines. The latest development (at the time of writing) of the Stoneywood paper mill based in Aberdeen has meant dozens of former workers have won a legal action over claims they were made redundant without being officially consulted. In November 2023 the BBC reported that five former workers at the mill won separate legal action about their redundancy which led to an employment judging ruling that workers weren’t given the official 45-day consultation. A mass legal action was lodged by the Unite Union on behalf of workers of the mill which has now led to 75 compensation claims. Speaking to the BBC, Unite legal officer Mark Lyon said: "This is only the first in a series of judgements covering around 75 of the 300 members, and other claims are pending.” Problems in the Red Sea impact printers Supplier of inks and coatings to the print and packaging industries, Flint Group, has commented on the continuing issues across trade routes in the Middle East which are affecting the costs and delivery of goods within the industry. Flint Group recommends customers proactively plan stock levels in anticipation of increased lead times caused by current global issues. Attacks and unrest in the Middle East have meant growing concerns in regard to substantial increases in the costs of sea freight containers and their availability. Many sea freight carriers have introduced surcharges due to the requirement for vessels to re-route via the Cape of Good Hope instead of using the Rea Sea-Suez Canal. Doug Aldred, chief commercial officer at Flint Group, says: “Consistent with many businesses, our global supply chain, transit times, and costs have been impacted by developments in the Red Sea. "The redirection of sea freight around the Cape of Good Hope, bypassing the Red Sea-Suez Canal route, is anticipated to lead to extended transit times, ranging from two to six weeks. These changes also affect other sea freight routes, notably transatlantic crossings, due to the limited availability of containers and ships.” Flint Group says the situation has meant it will continue to evaluate costs carefully and evaluate the implementation of freight surcharges, where relevant. Flint Group has been affected by problems in the Red Sea-Suez Canal Arjowiggins’ Stoneywood mill operated through numerous world events such as WWII Workers win legal action Young People In Print initiative launched Young People In Print (YPIP), a new group created by several professionals in print and its associated industries, has been formed to bridge the gap between education and the workplace. Elizabeth Bowerman, head of UK sales at Stephen Austin & Sons has spearheaded the group along with Paul Stead of ASL Group, Joanna Stephenson of PHD Marketing, Kelvin Bell of Vpress, Lucy Swanston of Nutshell Creative, and Delroy Simmons of Dayfold. Bowerman, a long-term advocate of attracting young talent to the industry, says: “We are reaching out to schools and universities to enable students to see for themselves how amazing the print and packaging industries really are. “Sadly, our industry has an old-fashioned image, and there is very limited print or packaging education available today, apart from print apprenticeships, but even then, not all printers are using their levy to fund employees.” YPIP has been launched to promote the industry as a more dynamic, high-tech, innovative, connected, and exciting place to work. YPIP has been established by several professionals within the print industry Ricoh comments on ‘lack of technology adoption’ Ricoh UK has weighed in on the current conversations taking place in government and businesses regarding productivity and innovation in the UK. The comments come after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt stated on the Rest is Money podcast: "We are about 15% less productive than Germany, […] because they invest a lot more in plant and machinery around every single worker, so they are able to physically produce more, and they can, of course, be paid more as a result of that.” In response, Simon Isaacs, national sales director for Ricoh UK has highlighted the UK’s lack of tech adoption as one of the reasons businesses in the UK are lagging. Ricoh Europe research shows a notable misalignment between employee expectations of workplace technology and the reality provided by employers. 46% of UK and Irish employees believe their employers are lagging when it comes to adopting technology that would benefit them. Ricoh UK’s recent report The Automation Gap found that 77% of the printing industry wanted to automate to improve efficiencies, yet 52% of businesses are still running on legacy or manual systems. Ricoh UK has highlighted that 85% of businesses are not embracing AI technology enough By David Osgar By David Osgar By David Osgar By David Osgar
INDUSTRY / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine 10 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 Learn2Print, a provider of training in print and graphics, has announced its Learner of The Year for 2023. Geneve Gurr, a member of MacroArt’s print and fabrication team since 2021 has progressed through the company’s training programme leading to her winning the accolade from Learn2Print. As a provider of industry-recognised qualifications, Learn2Print works with a variety of companies within the printing industry to upskill workers as well as to safeguard staff and offer new jobs and opportunities. Sponsored by Heidelberg, the award recognises an individual in print who exhibits ‘exceptional’ qualities and achievements within their learning journey. Gurr’s six tutors all recognised her progression, eagerness for knowledge, and high work standards making it a unanimous decision for her to win the award. Learn2Print surprised Gurr and the MacroArt team, which is based in St Neots, Cambridge, by visiting to announce the news along with presenting a trophy, gift voucher, flowers, and a certificate in recognition of Gurr’s achievements. Speaking about the award, Jonathan Bray, managing director of Learn2Print, explains: “Our award is now sponsored by Heidelberg which has recognised what we do for the industry and now also has apprentices on board with us. It has really become a highly recognised and prestigious award.” Speaking about the win, Gurr says: “I am delighted to be awarded Learner of the Year by Learn2Print. I didn’t know when I started with MacroArt in 2021 where this journey would take me, but with the support of everyone here I’ve been able to make huge strides in this industry and I can’t wait for what’s next!” Recently MacroArt expanded its training programme with a partnership with Inspire 2 Ignite, which focuses on bridging the gap between NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) youths in the UK. Learn2Print reveals its Learner of the Year [L to R] Jonathan Bray from Learn2Print and Geneve Gurr, Mark Rose, and Lee Garnett of MacroArt By David Osgar Following on from International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11th), Carole Noutary, Beyond Printer Director at Domino Printing Sciences, has proposed business strategies to promote diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) roles. Noutary says that despite progress in gender equality and growing interest over the last decade, women are still underrepresented in STEM fields. Statistics highlighted by Noutary show that women make up less than 30% of the global STEM workforce. A recent report by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found four key factors to the gender gap were stereotypes, unconscious bias, lack of role models, and work-life imbalance. In this case, the demanding hours and the masculine assumptions and traits of many roles can mean women remain more likely to choose options like part-time work to handle family responsibilities. Addressing how businesses can address this imbalance, Noutary says: “Businesses can play a crucial role in instilling the belief that women not only belong but can thrive in the STEM industry by promoting effective female role models and encouraging women working in STEM to share their stories.” Domino discusses women in STEM Women make up around 17% of STEM roles in the European Union, and only 14% in India The Printing Charity, a dedicated support organisation for the printing industry, has launched its 15th Rising Star Awards offering anyone aged 18 to 30 the chance to obtain up to £1,500 in funding. Previously known as the Print Futures Awards, the scheme allows applicants the chance to enhance their career skills in categories such as communication, resilience, presentation skills, leadership and management, and core skills. The awards are open to anyone working in any position within the wider print industry, primarily including print, paper, packaging, graphics, and publishing, all of which are supported by the charity. If successful, applicants will use the grant of up to £1,500 to invest in training on industry-recognised qualifications from professional bodies. The Printing Charity encourages potential candidates to speak to their manager, mentor, HR team, or trusted colleague before making an application to help identify skills gaps or personal goals. More information and the application form can be found on the Printing Charity’s website. For more information email awards@theprintingcharity. org.uk. Applications will close on Friday, April 5th. Printing Charity Rising Star Awards open The Printing Charity supports the estimated 98,000 people working in 7,200 companies in the UK By David Osgar By David Osgar
BUSINESS / NEWS 12 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Five printing experts based in Scotland have launched a new premium spirit labelling production business called Spirit Label Solutions in response to the growing demand from producers of increasingly popular craft whisky and gins. Collectively the founders have over 100 years of experience within the print sector and have set up the company in order to bring a bespoke approach to label production. The company has been established with an investment of £5m for the state-of-the-art facility and production line which is based in a recently refurbished unit in Westway at Glasgow airport. The facility is 15,113sq ft and is based in Scotland’s largest fully enclosed industrial park which has links to Glasgow Airport and the city centre. Spirit Label Solutions will seek to produce fully bespoke digitally printed labels including embellishments, foiling, tube wraps, embossing, and packaging design. Founded by chief executive officer Alex Mulvenny, managing director Tom Lightbody, and directors Finlay McLachlan, Jamie Thomson, and Chris Crockert, the company secured a long-term lease agreement with Canmoor, a developer and asset management business. Mulvenny says: “Our primary focus is on delivering a high-quality label printing service to our clients. With extensive experience in premium spirits labelling, our leadership team brings over a century of collective industry experience.” Spirit Label Solutions launches [L to R] Alex Mulvenny, Chris Crockert, Tom Lightbody, Jamie Thomson, and Finlay McLachlan By David Osgar Agfa, part of the Agfa-Gavaert Group, has partnered with EFI for both companies to integrate their technologies into their portfolios. The partnership will debut at FESPA Global Print Expo in Amsterdam (March 19th to 22nd) where the companies will demonstrate the benefits of the collaboration on their respective stands. Under the agreement, Agfa will integrate EFI’s roll-to-roll system into its offerings while EFI will incorporate Agfa’s hybrid inkjet printers into its suite of solutions. Arnaud Calleja, vice president digital printing solutions at Agfa, says: "By integrating [EFI’s] roll-to-roll platform into our sign and display offerings, we are poised to deliver an exceptionally diverse product range with unprecedented value to our customer base.” Agfa and EFI announce strategic partnership Micropress has invested £3.5m in the business to keep broadening its offerings to customers. The Suffolk-based business specialises in solutions for publishing, direct mail, and advertising media such as brochures and leaflets. Micropress currently employs around 180 people and has generated sales of around £30m in 2023. The investment has meant an extension to Micropress’ existing site which joins the paper warehouse and main factory together, giving the company an extra 1,600sq m of operating space. Micropress has also purchased a Canon IX3200 inkjet press, Horizon CABS4000V to increase short-run binding capacity, and an additional TH 82-P Stahlfolder, and there are plans to invest in a complementary automated stack-down system. Micropress has invested in new equipment and space in order to increase production and solutions Both companies will debut the collaboration at FESPA in Amsterdam Micropress invests £3.5m in business FACER. which services a number of wellknown brands with printed packaging has provided a new packaging solution for PerfectTed which acquired investment from Peter Jones and Steven Bartlett last year on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den. Teddie Levenfiche and Marisa Poster, founders of PerfectTed entered the Den to obtain £50,000 in investment for a 5% stake in the business which produces matcha green tea products in order promote positive energy and wellbeing to tackle mental health disorders. FACER. provided PerfectTed with a gabletopped envelope-based carton pack to house seven sachets of PerfectTed’s single serve matcha as well as a shelf-ready solution to hold 12 packs in retail stores. FACER. partners with Dragons’ Den winners FACER. recently celebrated 85 years in the print and packaging industry Tradeprint recently welcomed local MP Chris Law to its new expanded facility which has doubled its operational space from 20,000 to 40,000sq ft. Chris Law is the MP for Dundee West and is part of the Scottish National Party (SNP) having occupied the seat since 2015, being re-elected in both 2017 and 2019, the latter of which he received over 22,000 votes. The visit to Tradeprint acted as a chance for the company to showcase the expansion of its premises as well as the investment it has made in large machinery including a Heidelberg LED UV offset press. Law was shown the scale of Tradeprint’s operations as well as the impact of its continued investment in the city of Dundee with the company having supported job creation, retention, and skills development in the local community. The visit also gave Tradeprint the chance to highlight the challenges of rising energy costs and new legislations such as the Plastic Packaging Tax and Tradeprint’s mission to achieve net zero by 2040. The company stressed that innovative solutions are needed to mitigate the cost impact of legislation as well as strategic adaptation from the industry to deal with the recent EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Tradeprint welcomes local MP to premises The visit provided the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the industry By David Osgar
BUSINESS / NEWS 14 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Saica Group has announced it is investing more than €100m (£86.7m) in a new corrugated board plant in Barcelona. The site will combine the operations of Saica Pack El Prat and Saica Pack Barcelona to increase the combined production of the factories by up to 45%. Set to begin operating in Spring 2025, the project is seen by Saica as a “pivotal benchmark for innovation and sustainable packaging solutions”. The investment also reflects evolving market demands for corrugated board and new packaging solutions. The group had a turnover of €4.4m (£3.8m) at the end of 2022 and employs over 10,000 employees across countries like Spain, France, Turkey, Poland, and the UK. Purchased in 2010, the land has been developed with the involvement of Saica Group into an industrial estate that is occupied by a number of major companies. Ramón Alejandro, Saica Group chairman, states: "This investment will allow us to have the latest digital technology. We will be able to increase our production capacity and also improve the service we provide to our customers.” Saica Group invests in corrugated board plant The new investment represents Saica Group’s commitment to the southern European packaging market By David Osgar Antalis has continued its international expansion with the acquisition of an industrial packaging distributor in Portugal, 100 metros - Soluções de Embalagem, Unipessoal (Packaging Solutions, Unipessoal). The company operates out of Pacos Ferreira (Porto region of Portugal) and Lisbon and specialises in the distribution and conversion of packaging materials and components. Having been founded in 2000, 100 metros had consolidated sales of around €13m (£11.2m) in 2023. With a strong base in Europe Antalis sees the latest acquisition as furthering its expansion in the packaging market in the area of Iberia alongside its recent Spanish acquisitions of Cohal, Garalmi, and Gosuma. Hervé Poncin, chief executive officer at Antalis, says: "100 metros is a tremendous opportunity thanks to its know-how in packaging converting and custom packaging development.” Antalis continues expansion with its latest aquisition Elliott Baxter & Company (EBB) has purchased Broadgate Paper. Supplying cut-size papers to City of London companies as well as schools in the Essex and Kent areas, Broadgate Paper will now be a part of the EBB Office & Paper division based at EBB’s Thurrock site. Broadgate was founded by Paul Rossiter in 1998 and has focused on delivering an image of sustainability and ease when delivering its products. Chris Sandwell, sales and marketing director for EBB, says: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of Broadgate. We have known Paul for a long time and believe his customer focus and high degree of service at Broadgate fit ideally into the EBB Office strategy. EBB has expanded its Office & Paper division with the acquisition of Broadgate 100 metros has over 20 years of experience in developing unique and specific packaging solutions EBB expands Office & Paper division Supplier of paper and paper pulp, Sappi has concluded its consultation process regarding its Sappi Lanaken Mill which has ceased paper production. The mill was an integrated pulp and paper mill located in Belgium and employed 581 workers in a site that produced 530,000 tpa of coated woodfree paper which was sold into the European print market. Sappi announced the start of the consultation process on the possible closure back in October 2023. Since then, the production of paper ended in December 2023 and an agreed social plan for employees has been made. The closure of the site is expected to be complete by the second calendar quarter of 2024 with the financial impacts of the closure to be included in the company’s first quarter financial results. Sappi to cease production at its Lanaken Mill Sappi says the priority of the European business will be to grow its packaging and speciality products A document and data processing business based in London and Manchester, Millnet, has been acquired by its managing director, Steve Chadd, in a deal with legal technology group, Consilio Global. Accountants, Price Bailey, and law firm, Howes Percival, advised on the transaction in a deal which those involved say will enable Millnet to strengthen its financial position in the face of major challenges facing the confidential document and data processing sector in the UK. The deal means Steve Chadd acquired all shares of Docbuster along with the trade and assets of the UK Paper division, trading at the time as Millnet Document Services which through the transaction merged to become Millnet. Millnet employs 37 members of staff and provides document, data management, and processing services to clients in the professional services sector. Chadd comments: “We are delighted to have successfully completed the management buyout of the Millnet business here in the UK, marking an exciting new chapter in our journey. The acquisition ensures that the management’s interests are better aligned with the business’ long-term success and will help us navigate the competitive challenges ahead.” Managing director acquires print business The acquisition was completed with the help of Price Bailey accountants and Howes Percival law fi rm By David Osgar
The new line of VIP Label Printers, consisting of the VIP600, VIP650, VIP700, and VIP750, is designed to seamlessly integrate into any work environment. With its compact design, these printers offer unmatched versatility for businesses seeking efficient and cost-effective labelling solutions. The mid-range models, VIP600 and VIP650, boast a printing speed of up to 12 meters per minute, making them ideal for businesses with moderate production needs. On the other hand, the VIP700 and VIP750 models take labelling to new heights with impressive speeds of up to 18 meters per minute, catering to high-volume production demands. One standout feature of the VIP Label Printers is their integration of Memjet inkjet thermal technology, delivering an extraordinary 1600dpi print quality. This ensures that businesses can achieve sharp and vibrant labels that meet the highest industry standards. What sets the VIP650 and VIP750 models apart is their utilisation of water-resistant print technology. This groundbreaking feature makes them particularly well-suited for industries dealing with chilled food and beverages, animal care, cleaning products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other moisture-exposed products. The water-resistant print technology not only enhances durability but also ensures that labels maintain their integrity in challenging environmental conditions. Printing & Packaging Made Easy The VIP750 is a game-changing digital colour label printer with enhanced water-resistance technology. • Digital colour label printer • Up to 18m/min print speed (12 ips) • Up to 1600 x 1600 dpi resolution • Ruggedized for industrial usage • Enhanced water resistance print technology • Printable width up to 215mm (8.5”) info@libertypackagingsystems.co.uk 01992 460 111 www.libertypackagingsystems.co.uk Discover the state-of-the-art Kirk-Rudy RFID Encoding System supplied by AMS Mailing Systems. From seamlessly feeding to meticulously verifying RFID tags, this cutting-edge system operates with exceptional speed and precision. Comprising essential components such as a feeder, PC & software, camera, encoder, and bases, the system is engineered for accurate performance. Its proprietary software is optimised for reading, encoding, validating, and meticulously tracking RFID tags with utmost reliability. Elevate your operations with optional features like an advanced inkjet printing system, a highly efficient stacking system, an intuitive RFID label applicator, and a seamlessly integrated conveyor system, all seamlessly compatible with the RFID Encoding System. The Kirk-Rudy RFID Encoding System has evolved to meet the diverse needs of various industries. From encoding and imprinting hang tags to a plethora of applications including direct mail, wet and dry inlays, labels, wristbands, hard tags, cards, stickers, and fobs, this system is engineered to excel across a multitude of applications, ensuring unparalleled versatility. The RFID System can be seen used in an array of applicationssuchassmartpackaging,livestock&petidentification, product traceability, contactless payments, authentication & security, asset tracking, and inventory management. Printing & Packaging Made Easy Feed, transport, read, encode and verify RFID Tags with the Kirk-Rudy RFID Encoding System • Featuring Impinj ItemEncodeTM hardware • UHF Gen II RFID chip pipeline encoding • Integrated speed control, processing up to 600 ft/min (183m/min) • Reads 1D, 2D barcodes and OCR • High reliability camera, up to 240 frames/second • Easy-to-use KR XMatch software interface 15 www.printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347
18 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 Siegwerk celebrates 200-year anniversary Siegwerk, a global provider of printing inks and coatings for use within packaging and labels, is celebrating its roots as a family-owned business which started in Siegburg, Germany 200 years ago. The company, which is now in its sixth generation of ownership, is using the motto “Let’s celebrate” in order to mark the milestone. Established in 1824 as a retailer of manufactured goods, the German familyowned company entered the printing industry not too long after its inception. After opening a calico (cotton fabric) print store the company went on to be one of the first illustration rotogravure print stores in Germany before becoming a fully automated ink production facility. In 1911, Siegwerk Chemisches Laboratorium was founded as a specialist in the production of gravure inks and other graphic-used chemicals. Today, the company says its corporate culture is influenced by its origin as a family business as values like responsibility, open-mindedness, foresight, and dedication are still preserved. Siegwerk was founded in Siegburg, Germany 200 years ago Fedrigoni announces new acquisition Specialist in materials for luxury packaging and creative solutions, Fedrigoni, has announced a new corporate venture capital program to identify start-ups and accelerate their innovations and technologies into the group. The latest acquisition, done through a capital increase of a minority stake, is in connected solutions and consulting company, SharpEnd / io.tt which is based in the UK and the US. SharpEnd / io.tt uses technologies such as NFC, QR codes, and augmented reality (AR) to develop connected packaging, product, and retail experiences for brands powered by its SaaS (software as a service) platform called io.tt which is used in over 130 countries. Marco Nespolo, chief executive officer at the Fedrigoni Group, says: “This deal, strongly synergic with the recent acquisitions of Tageos and the Grenoble R&D Centre, will enhance our solutions portfolio in the world of smart labels and papers”. The deal consists of an initial investment with a path to acquire their entire capital in the longer term. SharpEnd was founded in 2015 as the world's first Internet of Things (IoT) agency ARMOR Print Solutions renamed as Altkin Altkin (formerly ARMOR Print Solutions), a European “alternative” print firm headquartered in Nantes, France, has debuted its new name and trajectory. The change of name has been made to reflect the ‘coherence and relevance’ of Altkin’s offerings and services which it believes offer fair solutions with freedom from technological and financial constraints. In 2023, Altkin reported a turnover of around €90m (£76.8m) and is planning to extend its fairer, greener “fair printing” model to the entire printing sector. The new name has been chosen to combine the shortened ‘alt’, meaning alternative, like an ‘alt’ key on a keyboard with ‘kin’ which represents family or clan, as well as being an anagram of ink. Together the name Altkin reflects the shared mission to find different ways of creating impact together, while the logo features a curved K which represents a fork in the road, to demonstrate the idea of choosing a different route. Altkin is part of the ARMOR Group, a specialist in thermal transfer ribbons for labels and packaging Precision Card Services (PCS), a provider of commercial cards, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The company was founded in 1993 by Rob Nicholls and Tim Holt who had a combined 20 years of experience in the field. Originally known as Plastic Card Services, the company employs around 40 people and was recently acquired by Woodberry Packaging. In 2018, the company launched the Plastic Card Hub, a web-to-print platform. The company also rebranded in 2022 with the introduction of its recycled PVC offering. PCS celebrates 30th year Kustom Design Printing celebrates award win Kustom Design Printing, which operates under online brands including Fast Labels, Fast Print, and Discount Sticker Printing, has won the award for Medium Business of the Year at the 25th Doncaster Business Awards. A platinum member of the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF), Kustom Design Printing has stayed ahead of the curve over the past few years with investment in HP Indigo print presses, as well as obtaining ISO accreditations 9001 and 14001. Finance broker, Bluestone Leasing, which offers bespoke financial solutions to the print and reprographics sectors, has launched a new and unique endto-end finance platform called the Bluestone Portal alongside a significant rebrand. Bluestone’s rebrand and product launch took place on January 15th, which saw the launch of Bluestone portal with an internal launch party in the Bluestone head office in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The rebrand includes a new name, website, and a new approach to the business. Bluestone launches new finance platform BUSINESS / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine
KIT & MEDIA / NEWS 20 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine March / April 2024 - Issue 347 Liberty to offer VIP Colour printers Having become the official UK dealer of VIP Colour, Liberty Packaging Systems (LPS) now offers a series of label printers described as “redefining printing technology standards”. Included in the new line-up of VIP Colour label printers are the VIP600, VIP650, VIP700, and VIP750 all featuring a compact design and seamlessly integrating into any work environment. The VIP600 and VIP650 are the mid-range models and feature printing speeds of up to 12 metres per minute. The VIP700 and VIP750 models have printing speeds of up to 18 metres per minute and cater to high-volume production demands. Described as a “standout feature of the VIP Label Printers” is their integration of Memjet inkjet thermal technology which offer 1600dpi print quality. The VIP650 and VIP750 models also offer water-resistant print technology which makes them ideally placed for industries dealing with chilled food and beverages, animal care, cleaning products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other moisture-exposed products. With each VIP Colour label printer, LPS offers free installation, training, on-site service, and maintenance. Liberty Packaging Systems now offers a range of label printers from VIP Colour Kodak helps bring Poor Things to life Kodak has detailed its work with Searchlight Pictures to create vivid promotional postcards for Searchlight’s latest award-winning film Poor Things starring Emma Stone. KODAK inkjet printing technology was combined with impactful photography to showcase the beautiful vision of the film while also showcasing the quality and productivity benefits of the KODAK PROSPER ULTRA 520 Press. Poor Things was shot on a combination of KODAK EKTACHROME, VISION3 500T, and EASTMAN DOUBLE-X Black & White 35mm film stocks. This choice was made due to the unique and artistic vision of the film. The postcard collection made alongside the film’s promotional campaign provided a visual memento for fans, showcasing bold images captured on KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 400 Film by Lanthimos and renowned photographer Atsushi Nishijima. The PROSPER ULTRA 520 was an ideal choice due to its offset quality on coated and glossy papers at speeds of up to 152mpm. Kodak produced 110,000 postcard sets for the launch of the film in the UK, US, and EMEA markets Bluetree Group adds second Landa press Bluetree Group, a large online printing business which operates through instantprint, Route1Print, and Kingsbury Press, has ordered a second Landa S10P Nanographic Printing press. The acquisition has been made so that the B1 digital solution can help bolster the group’s operations in luxury and layflat book printing as well as stitched and perfect bound booklet products. While much of its expanded work will come from Route1Print, the second Landa press will also serve Kingsbury Press, a business that specialises in luxury books and brochures, which was acquired by Bluetree Group in 2021. The investment has been made due to the rapidly growing book printing market which Bluetree Group has refocused on following the closure of its medical division which it set up during the pandemic to supply Type IIR medical masks. The purchase is part of a broader £5m investment in the company’s book printing division as books and booklets have become some of the fastest-growing segments of the business. The Landa S10P Nanographic Printing Press is designed for double-sided printing of general commercial print, online print, publishing, and packaging applications Colgraphix UK, a provider of wide-format and digital dye-sublimation solutions, has been announced by Graphtec UK as a certified reseller for Mutoh sign and display flatbed and UV direct-to-object printers. In July 2023 Graphtec was appointed by Mutoh Europe as its UK distributor for its range of printers and consumables. The deal included the distribution of ValueJet machines, XpertJet Pro printers, and the industrial UV-LED flatbed PerformanceJet. ColGraphix UK announced as certified Mutoh reseller Intec launches B2+ flatbed in "world first" Intec Printing Solutions has introduced the ColorCut FB780-T digital die flatbed cutter and tangential creaser which it says is a “world first”. The compact cutting table can be used for packaging, point of sale, and label applications and features two tools: a 2.5kg Active Tangential Creasing Wheel and Passive Contour Cutting tool. The FB780-T operates two working modes: DIRECT which uses Intec’s ColorCut Pro software direct from a PC; or HELD mode which is standalone operation where repeated jobs can be run independent of a PC. Building on its ColdLam 1650 technology, Neschen has revealed the new Neschen ColdLam 1650 SW laminator. Features include two swing-out shafts which allow for easy and careful operation for operators and substrates; an integrated compressor which operates without the need for a separate compressed air connection; and roll-to-roll functionality and processing speeds of up to 8m/min. The ColdLam 1650 SW can process a range of materials from cardboard, photo paper, and MDF panels and the feed table features an integrated unwind tray for easy media handling. Neschen builds on its ColdLam 1650 technology
24 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 ENVIRONMENT / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Epson has announced that all electricity used at Epson Group sites around the world will now be sourced from renewable sources. Epson says this makes it the first company in the domestic manufacturing industry to complete the transition to renewable electricity at all of its worldwide sites. The switch started in Japan where a number of industrial manufacturers are headquartered. The company committed to the switch in March 2021 and has since initiated the change throughout sites in Japan and then all remaining sites around the world. The Epson Group consumes approximately 876 GWh3 of electricity per year. By sourcing renewables to cover this demand, Epson expects to reduce its yearly carbon dioxide emissions by around 400,000 tonnes. Yasunori Ogawa, global president for Epson, says: “For eight decades, Epson has demonstrated a proactive approach to environmental action. We have maintained the founder's commitment to preserving the cleanliness of nearby Lake Suwa and became the world’s first company to eliminate CFCs [Chlorofluorocarbons] from our manufacturing processes. “Now we have successfully completed the switch to 100% renewable electricity at all Epson Group sites in just two years and ten months since declaring our commitment to doing so in 2021. This will not only help us to achieve our own goals but will also help to facilitate a broader adoption of renewable electricity within society by spreading awareness.” In addition to the latest change, Epson will promote the wider adoption of renewable energy and power generation. Ogawa concludes: “Our goal of realising social sustainability is a bigger issue, one fraught with difficulty, but we will act with determination to address the issues with a spirit of creativity and challenge." Epson achieves 100% renewable electricity Epson’s latest environmental measure is expected to reduce its yearly carbon dioxide emissions by around 400,000 tonnes By David Osgar UK national paper merchant, Denmaur, has set out an ambitious target of becoming net-zero by 2045. This target comes after the company became the first UK national paper merchant to validate its near-term carbon reduction target through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Denmaur has now used the same framework to validate its net-zero target of 2045. This target will see Denmaur reduce its total scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by a minimum of 90% by 2045 with any remaining emissions neutralised. In addition, the company has pledged to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030. This 2045 target is five years ahead of the global deadline first defined by the landmark Paris Agreement. Danny Doogan, marketing and sustainability director at Denmaur, explains: “We targeted 2045 based on the net-zero work and aspirations of our customers as well as the decarbonisation plans and initiatives that are starting to come through from paper and board manufacturers.” A manufacturer which announced plans to switch some of its mills into green paper plants last year is Burgo including Burgo Adrennes in Belgium where Denmaur’s flagship Amadeus range is produced. Whilst the company’s net-zero target appears ambitious, Doogan says: “during discussions with several manufacturers in the last year, it’s apparent there is a strong intent to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, fossil fuel-based energy in paper production – a significant Scope 3 element of our carbon footprint.” In order to measure its greenhouse gas emissions in line with leading global standards such as Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO14064-1, Denmaur uses carbon specialists Nero Carbon. Greg Selfe, director of Nero Carbon, adds: “Denmaur is a fantastic example of a major company proactively measuring and reducing its carbon footprint to stay ahead of both environmental regulation and its competition.” In addition to reducing its overall carbon emissions, Denmaur will also continue to promote and invest in World Land Trust’s Carbon Balanced Paper programme. Denmaur commits to net-zero by 2045 Denmaur has set out an ambitious net-zero target for 2045 after becoming the first UK national paper merchant to validate its near-term carbon reduction target through SBTi By Carys Evans
26 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2024 - Issue 347 PEOPLE / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Tony Hards, former chairman and managing director of Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS) and Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE) has passed away aged 84 following a short illness. The team and current managing director at IFS, Eric Keane, have expressed their sadness upon learning about Hards’ death, especially due to the legacy and success he was known for. According to the company, Hards possessed a “dogged” and “never-give-up” attitude which enabled him to quickly become known in the industry after joining GAE (forerunner company to IFS) in the 1960s as its top sales colleague. Hards moved into senior management in the mid-1980s when he acquired ownership of GAE, partnering with his long-term business partner Bryan Godwyn. Writing about his memories of Hards, Keane says: “I first met Tony in 1980 when I joined GAE as a young salesman, Tony was a great mentor, he taught me so much about the business, all of which served me well over the decades in several successful business ventures. “Tony was great at spotting talent and so many current and former colleagues enjoyed their time in successful careers working under Tony’s direction.” Hards was well-known within the commercial print and machinery supply sectors thanks to his active role in industry association, PICON, as well as his relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. In 2012, Hards was awarded the title of Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspapermakers in recognition of his life-long contribution to the print industry. Today IFS is a supplier of finishing equipment to the graphic arts sectors as well as the exclusive distributor of Horizon quick-response finishing solutions in the UK and Ireland. Keane adds: “Tony was very much a disrupter in the printing machinery market and simply loved the challenge of bringing into the market many new product ranges. The most successful of these introductions being Horizon. Tony secured the agency for Horizon Print Finishing products in 1981 and established their products as UK market leaders.” The team at IFS says Hards will be sorely missed and passes on their sympathies to his family, friends, associates, and everyone who knew him. Former IFS chairman passes away aged 84 By David Osgar The Printing Charity, an organisation which supports individuals and companies within the print industry through various forms of support, has announced Nicky Morgan as its 2024 president. Nicky Morgan, the Rt Hon Baroness Morgan of Cotes, accepted the charity’s invitation to hold the office of president for 2024 due to her connection to the industry after her time as Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary. Morgan comments: “During my time [in her role] I saw firsthand how print, publishing, and graphic arts, and the trades allied to them, such as packaging and paper, continue to shape and define UK culture.” Serving in the Cabinets of former prime ministers David Cameron and Boris Johnson, Morgan was the Member of Parliament for Loughborough between 2010 and 2019 and also served as Minister for Women & Equalities and Education Secretary. Morgan is now a member of the House of Lords and carries with her experience within both the private and public sectors, including a career as a solicitor specialising in mergers and acquisitions. Nicky Morgan, the Rt Hon Baroness of Cotes is Charity's 2024 President Nicky Morgan has accepted the charity's invitation to be its president for 2024 Ricoh UK has announced Simon Wheeler as its new strategic account director for high-speed inkjet solutions, succeeding Patrick Neininger who is retiring at the end of March 2024. Wheeler has held executive-level positions at the likes of Hewlett Packard (HP), Canon, and Océ and has had a career in the print industry which spans 25 years across areas such as the UK, EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand. A provider of integrated digital services and print solutions, Ricoh has continued efforts to expand including the release of new colour presses as well as initiatives like Ricoh UK’s continued work with The Prince’s Trust. Speaking about this latest appointment and the retirement of Neininger, Tim Carter, commercial print director at Ricoh UK Graphic Communications, says: “I’d like to thank Patrick on behalf of everyone at Ricoh for his dedication and success, and wish him a very happy retirement.” Carter adds: “We look forward to welcoming Simon and the wealth of knowledge and experience he will bring to the team. Simon’s expertise will be instrumental in delivering our ambitious growth strategy.” Ricoh announces Simon Wheeler as new strategic account director Simon Wheeler has been chosen due to his “in-depth understanding” of inkjet technology Tony Hards was known for his love of golf and was a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur FC
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