Agfa’s offset business – which includes plates – is under new ownership as from today, with a new brand to be launched tomorrow, but it is business as usual for ANZ customers. Under the new owners it will be making major investments in software development.

Inkjet press developer Kyocera has stated its intentions to become a major player in the commercial market, by acquiring French inkjet web developer Nixka.

In its first major acquisition since it was spun out of EFI, eProductivity Software has acquired MIS developer Tharstern – which has a significant ANZ customer base – and branded it as ePS Tharstern

Canon Australia has launched the imagePress V900 series digital colour print system, which it says sets new standards in cut-sheet toner productivity, aiming it at both commercial and inplant operations.

Epson has released two new multifunction wide-format printers in its SureColor T-Series, which will produce posters and POP displays at speeds of 27sqm an hour, with CAD and tech drawings at 130sqm.

Well-liked and much respected local industry notable, John Coote, passed away at the age of 76, after a pioneering print career which took Australian prepress into a new era.

The Print and Visual Communication Association is forming a Mail Industry Coalition, to develop a united industry response to the Government Consultation into modernising Australia’s postal service. In a marked change of approach, the new federal minister for communications, Michelle Rowland, has already written to PVCA seeking its submission.

Finsbury Green, one of Australia's largest print, managed services and logistics companies, and one of the big B1 press users, is celebrating half a century in business this week, with a continued focus on sustainable printing.

Marketing services business Reacon has acquired mmw3degrees, the specialist direct mail and data-driven communications service provider that was suddenly placed into voluntary administration at Christmas.

Australia will now have two strong heatset web businesses, with print management giant TMA acquiring the Spotpress catalogue and magazine division – the heatset operation – and looking to invest in it going forward.

Finishing technology developer Horizon is launching a new iCE StitchLiner system, Mark IV, designed for the high-speed production of high quality sheetfed booklets. Horizon is represented by Currie Group.

Marketing services business Reacon has acquired mmw3degrees, the specialist direct mail and data-driven communications service provider that was suddenly placed into voluntary administration at Christmas.

The Minuteman Press franchise in Springvale, VIC has achieved record sales, moved to a new location, bought a wide format business, and is celebrating 20 years in business.

CPX Logistics in Brisbane is now producing 50,000 books a month, thanks to its new Horizon PUR perfect binder and inline three knife trimmer, supplied by Currie Group, which it has just installed.

At Hunkeler Innovationdays currently taking place in Switzerland, HP is unveiling its latest innovations to the HP PageWide Advantage 2200, and previewing what is to come later in the year.