Kodak showcased both its digital technology and traditional print solutions, all designed, it said, to help printers increase productivity and profitability.

The new Jetfire 50 B3 inkjet printing system from Heidelberg, which was showcased at drupa, is now going into demo operation at the company’s Print Media Center.

HP Indigo had the largest stand at drupa, in fact the whole of Hall 17, and released multiple new print solutions and enhancements across its range of commercial, packaging and labels presses.

Blue Star is investing $30m in a new facility that will consolidate several of its current Auckland operations into an integrated 25,000sqm site, and will include the first press of its type in the region.

The Horizon stand featured a trio of ‘smart’ book solutions, including a plowfold book production system, an inline cutsheet printer, a book production system, and a cut and stack smart binding system.

Heidelberg launched its new peak performance 21,000sph Speedmaster XL 106 on the stand at drupa, and highlighted its digital drive with systems integration and its digital inkjet plans.

Imaging giant Fujifilm had one of the biggest stands at the drupa, and used it to show a swag of new print solutions in commercial and packaging hardware, software and consumables.

National print franchise group Kwik Kopy is using a new web-to-print portal to enable its franchisees to engage with small businesses and the consumer market through its website.

Canon is launching two new imagePrograf Pro roll-to-roll wide format print systems, and showing its latest imagePress cut-sheet print systems on its stand, both simulating real-world operations.

Marketing services group IVE, which is the country’s biggest print business, saw all its key profit metrics rise in the 2023/24 financial year, on revenue that was virtually unchanged, at just short of $1bn.

Kodak has launched a new Green Leaf programme, in order it says, to help Sonora users educate their customers about the sustainability benefits enabled by the process-free plates.

Tony Langley, chairman of manroland Sheetfed owner Langley Holdings, says the long-term fundamentals of the commercial print industry are “positive”, and reiterated his commitment to print.

Rayne Simpson has returned to the print industry as national sales manager for Koenig & Bauer ANZ, with the company entering a new era, and racking up press sales on both sides of the Tasman.

The country’s biggest trade print operation, CMYKhub, has now achieved sustainable green print level 1 (SGP L1) certification for all its print production sites.

Breen Printing co-owner Kirsty Woodhead was born into print, and with a passion for education, the environment, and printed solutions, has just become a board member at Visual Media Association.

While much has changed in the print and graphic arts industry over the past 75 years, the core strengths and fundamental values that have driven Currie Group since its inception in 1949 remain.