Heidelberg is offering all print shops free access to the Zaikio Procurement industry platform, which connects printers with their suppliers through MIS.

Printers in some of the most affected regions in NSW during the recent floods have stood strong and have maintained business as usual. But for those that haven't, support is available.

Imaging giant Fujifilm is investing some US$19m on a new facility to develop and produce water-based pigment inkjet inks for global supply, as demand ramps up.

Kodak CEO Jim Continenza has told investors that the company was going to “grow our way” out of Covid-19 and “not cut our way out of it", as the company secured an additional US$375m in funding.

Konica Minolta is launching a new desktop embellishing system, AccurioShine 101, which it says offers specialised embellishment finishing, small footprint, affordable price point, and several multi-coating functions.

A full third of all Heidelberg presses are now being manufactured in China, with the machines being exported to 40 countries, including Australia, New Zealand and most of western Europe.

Adelaide-based outfit Max Print Group is in voluntary administration, the five-year-old business now in the hands of the Dissolve Group.

Impact International has flicked the switch and turned on its upgraded 400kW solar farm, adding 123 more solar panels to the roof of its factory in Western Sydney.

Monet Print Services in Port Melbourne has pulled the plug, with owner Jack Rosner telling Print21 that he is unlikely to return to print after ceasing operations during Covid.

Digital print solutions developer Xeikon has bolstered its graphic arts and commercial product portfolio with the launch of the Xeikon SX20000 digital colour press, based on its new Sirius toner technology.

Press manufacturing giant manroland Sheetfed increased its sales in 2020 by five per cent, and is ramping up production in anticipation of increased demand for this year, putting staff back on full time hours.

Suzan Lindsey and her husband Paul are opening a new Kwik Kopy in their home town of Shellharbour, the new store becoming the third print franchise they own.

German press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer exceeded its own forecast for 2020, with sales keeping above €1bn, although they were 20 per cent down on the prior year.

After a tumultuous six months, print giant Ovato saw its sales revenue diminish by $92.8m or 28.2 per cent in the half year to December, but the company stemmed its losses - which ran to $58m last time - to end the period $9.7m in the red after significant items.

Holistic marketing services group IVE says it is on course to achieve its forecast $100m full year EBITDA, after releasing “solid” half year results on sales that slipped 3.2 per cent, with the company reinstating its interim dividend.

Trade outfit Industrial Print Co has found its niche as one of the country's biggest business forms printers. Clients come from far and wide, and include the biggest and smallest names in print. General manager Steve Scott talks to Print21 editor Wayne Robinson.