News

Sawgrass Technologies has announced a long-term OEM agreement with Ricoh to bring its new Virtuoso HD Product Decorating System to market.

To extend its offering for sign and display makers, Agfa Graphics has added an automatic cutting plotter to its Anapurna and Jeti wide-format printer portfolio. The Acorta is currently making its worldwide debut at the SGI 2015 tradeshow in Dubai and is commercially available as of now.

Bettine Pellant has succeeded Tim Webb as Picon’s chief executive.

Pellant, who joined Picon - an association for manufacturers and suppliers to the printing, papermaking and paper converting sectors - in 2007 as events and administration, said of her new role: “Thanks to the work of Tim and the council, Picon is headed in the right direction with a growing membership made up of companies of all sizes, and an expanding roster of alliances with like minded organisations at national and international level. I will work to enhance these relationships wherever possible.”

Spandex has introduced ImagePerfect Self-Adhesive Wall Textile (IP 2324), an opaque and water-resistant fabric specifically designed for printed wallpapers, wall graphics and decals. It is suitable for printing with eco solvent and solvent inks as well as UV-cured and latex inks, and can be kiss cut or die cut.

Roland DG has achieved Investors In People (IIP) Silver Standard status. Jerry Davies, MD, Roland DG (UK), said: “I’m very proud to be leading a company that places such importance on its employees. The whole team at Roland DG is passionate about what they do and what they can bring to the business and this IIP certification is timely recognition of all the enthusiasm, dedication and talent delivered by each employee, every day.”

An energy consultancy firm that specialises in the print and paper sectors has announced a partnership with the NSPCC to raise £25,000 for charity. Utility Bidder will work with the NSPCC to support the National Schools Service scheme, through which every primary school class in the UK is set to receive a visit from the charity to talk about the services it offers to children in need.

Newcastle-based wide-format reseller and trade supplier Your Print Specialists (YPS) is now handling sales and service for Epilog laser and Vision engravers on behalf of CSI in the north east of England.

Events specialist Image Line Communications has been praised for its work on the merchandising area for the ‘Cats’ show at the London Palladium.

With two weeks to go before the show’s opening night, Image Line was chosen by Live Nation Merchandise Europe to build its merchandise concept. Image Line clad the upper part of the ornate, Edwardian wall with Foamex panels overlaid with stars and moon graphics. Small holes were then cut out of the panel section and tiny lights installed to create an effect of stars shining at night. At the centre of the display white vinyl was used to create the words ‘Cats’ and ‘Official Souvenirs’.

Vision Paper and Board, part of the Middleton Paper Group, has become the exclusive UK sheeter for PankaBoard’s PankaBrite fully coated 100% virgin fibre folding boxboard.

Fespa China 2014, which took place from 19 - 21 November 2014 at the Guangzhou Pazhou Poly World Trade Centre, Guangzhou, China, attracted 11,667 individual visitors, making it the best-attended Fespa China and CSGIA event to date.

William Smith has been appointed UK master distributor for 3M’s solar and safety film business.

Dublin-based Horizon Digital Print has bought a 3m-wide Agfa Anapurna M3200i roll-to-roll UV printer.

Peter Morris, former Picon chairman and long-time Picon council member, died on New Year’s day.

Dr Doug Edwards is the new CEO of Xaar. He replaces Ian Dinwoodie who has held the position since 2003 and who will retire this year as announced last March.
Edwards, who takes the helm with immediate effect, said: “It is a privilege to be asked to lead Xaar through this next phase of the company’s development. Excellent progress has been over the last decade but the future opportunities ahead of the company in the world of digital printing are substantial, and I am pleased to return to the UK to take up this challenge.”