Large Format Review - Business News

Following the massive earthquake that occurred in East Japan on March 11, Mimaki HQ has confirmed the safety of all colleagues and their families at all of their factories and offices around Japan, including their Sendai sales office in Tohoku area. In addition, Mimaki HQ has also confirmed that fortunately their facilities are not affected by this earthquake at all, thus they can continue to provide products without disruption.

Mimaki extend their heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this disaster.

 

Statement released by Toyo Ink, supplier of OEM inks to a number of wide format printer manufacturers:

This is to inform you of the situation regarding the extent of damage to the company as a result of the Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake, as well as our future response, as described below:

Situation regarding extent of damage to company:

Casualties

At the present time, there have been no casualties among employees or their families.

Damage to buildings and facilities

The damage at Toyo Ink Tohoku Co., Ltd. (Izumi-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Pref.) consisted of the toppling of office furniture.

Effect on company operations

At the present time, operations at the companys plant have not been affected. We are currently confirming whether or not it will affect deliveries or procurement of raw materials.

Future response

We will do our utmost to maintain a stable supply.

Impact on business results

We are currently investigating the impact the earthquake will have on the companyfs business results, and will disclose information promptly if the impact is expected to be significant.

Antalis McNaughton is delighted have won ‘Best Bespoke Calendar 2011’ at the National Calendar Awards.

The judges thought that the calendar was ‘outstanding as it was so representative of the printing industry.’ It was delivered to around 7,000 printers in the UK and Ireland, and showed each month the milestones in the history of printed communications.

The calendar, which beat all other entries including the Pirelli 2011 calendar to win the award, was produced in conjunction with Leicester designers’ Stocks Taylor Benson (STB) who are listed in Design Week's Top 100 UK design consultancies.

STB worked with the Antalis McNaughton team to identify 12 key developments, innovations or milestones in the history of printed communications and then used appropriate icons or graphical styles to represent each era.

The calendar takes you from the invention of the letterpress in 1439, through advances such as the first Billboard in 1889 and the development of the Pantone System in the 1950’s all the
way through to the digital print revolution. Each page of the calendar was printed on a different paper from the Antalis McNaughton range including Rives Sensation, Keaycolor, Cocoon Silk and Conqueror Print Excellence.

Chloe Thacker, Marketing Communications Manager at Antalis McNaughton commented: “We are delighted that our success at the National Calendar Awards has continued and this year we have not only won the ‘Best Bespoke Calendar 2011 but also received outstanding comments from the judges’.

Paul Betts of STB commented: “We're delighted to once again have worked with Antalis McNaughton and received the top honour for our design of their 2011 calendar. The calendar takes snapshots of communication and print innovation throughout the ages with original illustration to help tell every story. Each page is printed on different substrates to show off Antalis MacNaughton's product offer.”

Spandex, the one-stop supplier of complete offerings to the digital printing and signmaking industries will be offering visitors to the stand the opportunity to acquire digital printer packages for a promotional price of £9,990.

There are four digital printer packages designed to offer different profitable application possibilities and print technologies including inkjet, direct-to-substrate and thermal. There are no additional costs as installation and basic training is included in all packages.

The packages are:

• Gerber Edge Print and Cut System includes: Gerber Edge FX thermal printer, Omega CP software and a GS15+ plotter
• Inkjet Print and Cut System includes: Mutoh ValueJet 1204 inkjet printer, Summa D120 plotter and Posterprint 14 RIP
• Inkjet & Low Cost Bulk Ink System: includes a Mutoh ValueJet 1304 inkjet printer, a bulk ink system and Posterprint 14 RIP
• Direct to Substrate System includes: Azon direct-to-substrate printer and Omega CP software.

“With these unique, low-cost promotional packages we aim to meet the different application needs of sign makers and digital printers. Any visitor to our stand will benefit from this promotion when signing up during the show”, says Leon Watson, Hardware Director at Spandex.

 

Mr. Hans Kerkhoven has decided to step down as member of the Executive Board and CFO of Océ N.V. after the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 19, 2011. Mr. Kerkhoven will pursue other career opportunities outside Océ.

Mr. Kerkhoven has completed his assignment since the integration of the controlling and finance functions of Océ into those of Canon has been successfully accomplished. Also the annual accounts of the first year after the change of control have been drawn up under his responsibility and supervision.

Mr. Rokus van Iperen, CEO of Océ N.V., will temporarily also assume the position of CFO until a successor has been appointed.

Océ thanks Mr. Kerkhoven for his valuable contribution to the company in a challenging and highly dynamic period and wishes him success in his further career.

Caitriona Wood, consumables manager from printMAX is gearing up to undertake the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge only a mere two months after successfully completing her first half marathon.  During the Easter weekend, Caitriona will be undertaking the challenge, which involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within a 24 hour period.  
 
For both the Brighton Half Marathon and the Three Peaks Challenge, Caitriona is raising money for the charity, Cancer Research UK.  Caitriona has predominantly run 10K races in the past but decided to raise the bar in 2011, as she explains:
 
“A friend encouraged me to consider doing the half marathon and now, having successfully completed that, I have an appetite for another adventure. I am really looking forward to doing my first Three Peaks Challenge in April. The training is going well, and completing the half marathon in February was a real boost and has spurred me on for this.  It’s given me confidence to achieve this next challenge – which I know will be tough, but I also can’t wait to get started!”
 
Added Michael Bolton, managing director, printMAX, “We are all completely behind Cat and are 100% confident she will be able to complete the Three Peaks Challenge within the allotted 24 hours. She has trained very hard, having recently completed the half marathon in Brighton and so we all wish her the very best of luck in accomplishing this next challenge.”
 
To support Caitriona’s fundraising efforts, donations are being welcomed via the following website: http://www.justgiving.com/Caitriona-Wood.