Printers from around Australia flew into Melbourne last week for an exclusive Konica Minolta innovators event on Thursday, August 9, capped off by a visit to Revolution Print in Ballarat.

Fairfax Media posted a net loss after tax of $63.8 million for the 2018 financial year, compared to a net profit of $84 million the previous year, but CEO Greg Hywood says the company is in “good shape” ahead of its proposed buyout by Nine.

Further bans on plastic packaging would threaten food safety and health regulations, according to industry group Packaging New Zealand (PNZ), whose members include global giants Visy, Orora, Unilever and Amcor Flexibles. "This would be a step too far," says PNZ ED Sharon Humphries.

Kodak is selling its thriving Flexographic Packaging Division and will use the proceeds to repay outstanding debt as it shifts focus to other growth areas including Sonora litho plates, inkjet and workflow. “This is a great opportunity to unlock value for shareholders," says CEO Jeff Clarke.

Contemporary printing is a technology-driven manufacturing industry, yet when the unexpected fault occurs service respons becomes the crucial factor. That’s where the Currie Care Centre comes in.

Note Printing Australia locked out half its work force this morning in retaliation for ongoing industrial action by the AMWU, provoking the remaining workers to go on a one-day strike in support. The workers will return on Monday maintaining their ongoing work bans on overtime.

Cost to control the invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in pulp, paper and wood products will likely add to price hikes for paper to printers. According to a special briefing issued by industry authority, Paper Edge, the pest is most likely to be found in products from countries such as the USA, Italy, Germany and France. Paper from Japan has a lower risk.

German press giant Koenig & Bauer joined competitor Heidelberg in posting impressive numbers for the first half of 2018, with security business and increased orders in packaging printing boosting order intake by 17.2% to €705.3m. Cash flow rose from minus €20m to €17.4m.

Prominent industry figure Mike Boyle has been appointed managing director at HP South Pacific, responsible for business operations in Australia, New Zealand and the surrounding islands.

Packaging company Orora posted strong growth for the year ended June 2018 with profit after tax up 12% to $208.6 million and sales revenue up 5.2% to $4.2 billion.

The annual Flexible Packaging & Labels Manufacturers Association (FPLMA) technical forum to be held in Melbourne later this month will feature a range of sessions on automation and integration across the printing and packaging industries.

Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) Australia has once again taken out the MBE Worldwide Marketing Excellence Award for 2017, ahead of 31 other countries.

The organisers of next month’s Visual Impact 2018 at Sydney Olympic Park have put together a strong program of workshops to help visitors navigate latest industry trends and exploit new opportunities.

Jock Martin of Barossa Digital in South Australia has won Roland DG Australia’s 30-year anniversary ‘Buy and Win’ competition, open to customers who bought a participating Roland DG device during May and June.

Australian packaging giant Amcor is buying US flexible packaging leader Bemis for $9.2 billion with the deal expected to close in 2019. 'New Amcor' will be incorporated in Channel Islands tax haven Jersey and list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).