Newly-listed print and marketing group IVE has posted a strong first-half result with earnings up 30.7% on the previous corresponding period to $22.2 million, on a pro forma basis. Revenue rose 13.9 per cent to $196.1 million.

Trans-Tasman media group APN News & Media recorded a loss of $10.2 million for the year and announced plans to offload its regional newspapers in Australia and develop the digital side of the business.

Thirty-two print industry workers from 17 Sydney companies have signed up at TAFE Ultimo for a new ASGA program aimed at upgrading their skills so they can mentor apprentices. ASGA sourced NSW state government funding for the project which could be rolled out across the country.

Sydney developer/manufacturer Impression Technology will release a new DTG Digital M3 direct-to-garment printer at Fespa 2016 in Amsterdam. "We've worked hard to bring about what we believe is the most rugged printer with far less maintenance at a better price point in the market."

Blue Star, a division of ASX-listed IVE Group, has continued its expansion strategy with the acquisition of Melbourne-based direct communications service provider LCS Connect. The LCS operation will be integrated into the Blue Star DIRECT business at Clayton, Melbourne.

More than 450 global digital print and signage companies will showcase their latest technology at this year’s sold out FESPA Digital 2016 event in Amsterdam next month. Exhibitors will include Avery Dennison, Canon, EFI, Epson, Fujifilm, Mimaki, Mutoh, Ricoh and Roland DG.

Blue Star Group’s web heatset division Blue Star WEB has become the first commercial printer in the Asia-Pacific to install the Heidelberg Speedmaster XL106-10-P+LX-LEUV colour perfector with coater. A team of engineers installed the 26 metre, 93 tonne machine in Sydney in 28 days.

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Australasia’s leading printer PMP has blamed the collapse of retail chain Dick Smith and customers supplying their own paper for a 58.8 per cent drop in half year profit. PMP booked a $2.7 million impairment charge related to the money it’s owed by Dick Smith into its first half accounts.

APN Outdoor and oOh! Media posted strong results as digital billboards continued to drive the thriving outdoor market. APN Outdoor reported $41m in profit for 2015, with revenue jumping 20% to $300.8m, while oOh! Media delivered $18.4m in profit, with revenue up 7.1% to $280m.

Flint Group has issued an offer to acquire the web offset business of German ink manufacturer Siegwerk, in the latest consolidation deal in the global ink market. Flint, a global supplier to packaging and print media industries, would also acquire Siegwerk’s Heatset and News Ink lines.

Pioneering environmental technology to recycle paper cups is providing new sustainability models serving markets in more than 50 countries. Laurel Brunner reports on an ingenious process being used at James Cropper Paper, a company in established in 1845.

Offset giant seeks to balance its portfolio by introducing new inkjet digital presses for both the packaging and label sectors while expanding its services to the printing industry.

The newest addition to Heroprint’s digital network is up and going in Sydney with excellent results. For the past five years nearly all the digital work coming out of Heroprint has been produced on a Kodak Nexpress.

The PIAA has postponed its Special General Meeting that was scheduled to take place in Sydney on Tuesday. In a brief statement, the association said the meeting had been deferred for 14 days.