Group profits are on the rise and Amcor Flexibles shows no signs of slowing, as it locks down a regional deal with Atlas Converting Equipment for supply of Titan slitter-rewinders. The partnership kicks off with four Titans going in, firing up the business’s rapid growth across the region.

Barcode work is fraught with its own issues and challenges, with as much as 22% of printed jobs not passing muster, demanding costly reprints. Leading barcode authority, GS1 Australia, joins up as a Better Business member to help save printers time and money on rejections and reprints.

After nearly a month of touring country towns and outback tracks, this year’s Currie Roadshow draws to a close right on its own front doorstep. Its final three-day stint in Perth drew record numbers and even rounded off the trip with a few sales.

All the who, what, when and where of the local printing industry, all wrapped up with a bow. Richard Rasmussen, director of Ascent Partners, provides his monthly update on all the industry’s mergers, acquisitions and closure activity, as well as the latest major equipment sales and installations.

Spots are filling up, but there's still a few days left to book a seat at the workshop/seminar, “3D Printing – what’s in it for me?” Focused on bringing 3D printing knowledge to the mainstream printing industry, from 6pm on Tuesday May 13th at Level One, The Chatswood Club, Sydney.

The Roland DG local leadership team sees another slight rejig, with general manager John Wall promoted to president of Roland DG Australia. Marc Margetts, who continues in his role as Australian CEO, also gets a leg-up as he is named president of the Asia-Pacific region.

Konica Minolta has its eye on next generation digital, lifting the curtain on the new bizhub C1060 and C1070 at a string of personalised launches. Printers can put the latest gear to the test at by submitting their own files to be printed off the bizhub live at the launch.

KAMA unveils its latest digital finishing solution at Interpack 2014. The DC 76 foil die cutter and finisher is up and running on the HP Indigo booth, boasting the latest workflow integration as short folding carton runs stray further into digital virgin territory.

Mark Shergill reveals his expanding print empire’s new brand name, Focus Print Group. He breaks his silence after nearly three weeks to reassure customers it’s business as usual, as he folds the now-defunct Focus Press’s client list and assets in under the new masthead.

The Department of Industry has no intention of letting go of its $6 million stake in Focus Press. A spokesperson confirms action is already underway for the government to take back its cash, as liquidators Worrells come on board to carve up the remains of the company.

The cream of the crop line up for number one in this year’s NSW LIA-Heidelberg Graduate of the Year awards. Competition was tough as the field was whittled down to the six finalists, with the winner to be announced at North Ryde RSL on May 14.

The Wedderburn business has steadily grown its labels offering across the region. Snapping up the latest Plate Cleaner 45 from Jet Technologies is just one of Wedderburn’s secret weapons as it prepares for even more market growth in 2014.

Making print into a viable manufacturing process requires more than hardworking presses. It also needs sophisticated production systems designed with strict but flexible parameters to make the important decisions, removing the influence of any single individual. Then it needs management with the discipline to make sure the system works all the time. Meet Anthony Thirlby who is re-writing the book on the future of printing.

From Franklin Web’s extensive ‘print precinct’ in the west of Melbourne, Phil Taylor drives the business that sets the benchmarks for innovation and success in the hyper-competitive world of catalogue print production.