Blue Star Group, a division of IVE, has continued its expansion drive with the acquisition of Melbourne print and communications specialist Fineline Printing for an undisclosed amount. Fineline CEO Neil Collyer (pictured) will stay on but it's understood there will be several job losses.

News Corp has reopened talks with rival Fairfax Media on a plan to share its print and distribution operations, according to a report in well-informed News mouthpiece The Australian newspaper. "Well-placed sources believe there is a willingness from both sides to strike a deal."

Neopost Australia is looking to build on its HP award of ‘Best Channel Partner Large Format Production 2015’ with the launch of the HP PageWide XL range in Sydney last week.

Deepening collaboration between Horizon digital finishing equipment and HP Indigo new generation digital presses puts Currie Group in the box seat at drupa. Inline integration is delivering increased automation and ensuring faster job turnaround, reduced waste and fewer errors.

It took more than investing in the latest HP digital technology for PMP to meet the demands of the new book publishing business model. PMP COO John Nichols tells Print21 magazine that it also took an innovative approach to turn the production system on its head.

New PIAA director Walter Kuhn (pictured) is once again throwing his support behind the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise money for the homeless. "With your help again, we can make a difference to the less fortunate ones within our community," he said.

If you wanted to put a green label on a printing company, what would you look for? In addition to ISO 14001, companies could be asked to demonstrate sustainability commitments that go beyond managing environmental aspects and impacts, writes industry consultant Laurel Brunner.

And they say there's no money in printing...a small print-on-demand business started ten years ago by three friends in Melbourne is now launching an IPO aimed at raising $30 million ahead of a planned float on the ASX next month. The offer price of $1.33 a share would value Redbubble at $268 million. 

Plockmatic, owners of UK digital finishing specialists Morgana Systems, has acquired KGS srl, manufacturers of the PUR perfect binder range sold by Morgana as DigiBook. “We have been selling KGS products for several years now and have seen the market grow significantly over that time."

Former OfficeMax content marketing specialist Emma Kershaw has joined New Zealand's national printing association PrintNZ as its new marketing manager. Kershaw will be focused on raising the profile of PrintNZ and print in general through industry initiatives Two Sides and VoPP.

Leading printing ink manufacturer Siegwerk has launched a new range of advanced LED UV flexo printing inks for food and pharmaceutical packaging applications. “Siegwerk regards LED UV curing as one of the growth drivers in the market," said product manager Rolf Montag.

An 'amazing' court ruling demonstrates the wisdom of not giving in to the greed of patent trolls attempting to extort funds from print providers and OEMs by claiming patent infringement, writes industry anaylst Dr Harvey R. Levenson, in an update to his previous article.

Australian vehicle wrap master champions Exotic Graphix crossed the ditch and lifted the Trans Tasman Championship trophy in New Zealand for the first time, after winning the Australian ASGA Wrap Masters Challenge in Melbourne last year.

Roland DG Australia, a leading provider of wide format inkjet printers and printer/cutters, has released dates of its Roland DG Academy training program, VersaWorks 2016. Courses will begin in Sydney next month then travel to Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Launceston.

Previous Fujifilm posts have referred to the upcoming graphic arts trade expo, drupa 2016, to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany May 31 to June 10—yes, 11 days of show, seminars, sharing and socialising!