The 2018 conference of the initially challenged FPLMA was kicked off yesterday by Mark Easton (pictured) with automation and integration the key for the flexo and label printers attending the two day event in Melbourne.

The first commercial installation of printed organic solar cells at CHEP's Beresfield facility near Newcastle highlights the wealth of opportunities 'functional printing' has to offer the printing industry, says University of Newcastle's Professor Paul Dastoor.

Eco-solvent wide format printers hold market share against latex, even as HP retains its top rankings. Good growth continues in the sector with both printer volumes and revenue continuing to rise.

High-profile industry identity and long-term association professional, Karen Goldsmith, is resigning from her role as general manager, Visual Connections in September. The well-liked Goldsmith ends a 14-year engagement with the supply side of the printing industry.

“In the last 18 months we have invested some $200m across the business to further expand our offering including the new Franklin WEB NSW operation. All four IVE divisions are doing well.”

Australian sales were up to $204.4m from $201.8m, although this is still behind the 2016 sales of $211m. Spicers does not provide a breakdown between commercial print and packaging in its figures.

Pro-Pac Group's revenue jumped 62 percent in the 2017-18 financial year, aided by major mergers and acquisitions. However, citing increased raw material costs and the drought, the company posted a loss of $5.13 million. Revenue increased to almost $371.5 million during FY2018.

Revenue was $250.2m compared with $258.5m the prior year, with CEO Rebecca Lowde attributing the decrease to the company selling off some parts of its business.

Parcel growth is being driven by a surge in e-commerce. Pitney Bowes says global shipping volume is set to to surpass 100 billion parcels in 2020, with Australia on target to receive more than a billion parcels in three years time.

Participants will have the chance to see a range of the latest digital print, sign, display and graphic design technology first hand, with a guided tour of the show, and to get some hands-on experience in various areas at a number of different stands at the event.

The duo have created a solution using Screen’s Equios universal workflow and roll-fed full-colour high-speed inkjet press, the Truepress Jet520HD working with Meccanotecnica's automatic book folding and sewing machine, the Universe Sewing Digital print finisher.

Hornet Press founder and former owner Graham Bell is having his last day in print today, after a career spanning more than half a century. With his wife Sandra he established Hornet in 1982 as a bespoke trade printer in Knoxfield, Melbourne.

Both companies believe outdoor advertising has significant growth prospects, outdoor currently accounts for just six per cent of the country's advertising spend, and has been on a non-stop growth trajectory for the past 15 years, save for two quarters at the height of the GFC.

David Gittus told staff that WPP and Active Board were not confident that Hubball had the strategies and plans in place needed to transform the business, and not within the timeframe that it says is needed.