German offset manufacturing titans scramble to lock down inkjet alliances. Manroland web systems inks a newsprint deal with Kodak for its Prosper inkjet head technology, as Heidelberg and Fujifilm work toward a September deadline on their own inkjet label collaboration.

Pride in Print Awards are the premiere recognition of excellence in the New Zealand printing industry . And the nAwards dinner is a greaat party. Be there or miss out.

Well-respected industry figure and colour specialist Luke Wooldridge joins the freshly re-energised Kodak team. Wooldridge brings more than a decade of industry experience to the role of territory sales manager for Queensland and NSW.

Nearly a year and half on and the wreckage of CBD Printing may finally get put to bed. Liquidators William Buck have been sifting through the debris since September 2012, but as the matter continues to drag on major creditors may walk away empty-handed.

Goldman Sachs and Koch Equity Development LLC have bought up printing industry supplier Flint Group, a deal valuing the company at a heady $3 billion. The ink is barely dry on the paperwork and already the new owners are drawing up a takeover hit-list to grow the business.

Mark Shergill to take on the troubled printer and avoid liquidation but suppliers and staff are facing substantial losses of jobs and revenue.

“There can be no question that cut prices are the bane of the printing profession all over the world – Australian cities are no exception to the rule – and any honest effort towards betterment is of paramount importance.” Tough words from 1904. Andy McCourt dissects cut-throat printing practise.

Blue Star Group continues its tidal wave of industry consolidation, set to pick up iconic STI Lilyfield from German-based STI Group. The leading point of sale specialist will transfer back into Australian hands just five years after the German print group bought the business back in 2009.

Fuji Xerox lands two major installs as Opus Group invests in the high-speed inkjet revolution, bringing crucial short-run work back onshore. In response to growing customer demand, Opus picks up an Impika eVolution and FX 1400 20-inch, complementing the group's strong offset base.

Reports of site closures and staff sent home are still whirling, but the full extent and nature of the Focus Press's troubles remain elusive. Despite sources indicating an operation shut down today, Matraville and Canberra are up and running with staff being told it's "business as usual".

A decisive plate war win for Kodak as it inks a new three-year direct deal with Blue Star Group. Company heads Geoff Selig and Steve Venn met at Blue Star head office to sign the momentous deal, firmly backing the graphic arts supplier’s recent split from Heidelberg.

Concerns mount over the health of the company as reports have its South Strathfield factory closed. Employees will be told if they are required to report for work on Monday.

Despite the April 1 announcement of EFI's remarkable TARDIS-powered time-traveling 4D press, Heidelberg is deadly serious about 4D. The Jetmaster Dimension is one arm of the German offset giant's latest drive into digital inkjet, geared at printing on three-dimensional objects.

BJ Ball will showcase high-end iconic UK colour paper brand at design conference, Semi Permanent, Carriage Works in May. Focusing on the design community as key paper specifiers, the paper merchant is looking to dazzle with the introduction of the 50 colours of Colorplan.

Despite a dismal turnout at the Harbourview Hotel and a monumental lack of engagement from the industry, diehards refuse to let the all but moribund publishing association die.