Clancy . . . overflow . . .the best bits . . . funnies
In fine old 19th century tradition they’ve extended a two-week lockout to four weeks and are threatening to push it out even further. UK paper merchants, who take a lot of Finnish product, are making soothing noises about the supply chain but confess that if the extended lockouts continue things could get nasty.
Whatever happened to the ideal Scandinavian industrial system?
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Punch Graphix, the Belgian owner of digital press maker Xeikon and CTP manufacturers Strobbe and basysPrint, is hitting its targets as it steps into the stock market this week. Selling at a premium over its launch price the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is now valuing the company at AUD$275 million.
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At PacPrint last week there were many levels of competition, from the most colourful stand (Currie Group by a bull’s roar) to the sexiest wide format poster (talk about soft porn). But one of the fiercest battles raged about the coffee counters with every second exhibitor handing out free coffee. In a packed field Clancy’s vote has to go to the Canon people who had a barista par excellance on the stand who brewed the best java this side of Sydney. It became his first port of call every morning.
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But for luxury nothing in the show could beat the massage chair at the Ricoh stand. Although Clancy didn’t actually get to sit down in it, enough hardened show veterans told tales of delightful release that chair developed mythic proportions.
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For those of a more physical bent the rowing competition on the Böttcher proved an irresistible draw card. Mitch Mulligan was the taskmaster, overseeing the sweating rowers trying to win their instrument of torture. Over the show he gave a rowing machine as a prize every day to the hardest stroker as well as a gift voucher to the winner of the lucky draw. And the rowing machine winners are:
Umesh Sharma – Corporate Print Solutions
Des Macpherson – Classic Graphic Services
Tom Colman – Forestville Printing
Geoffrey Russell – Sydney Allen
For the vouchers the winners are:
Ji Babbage – Student
Des McPherson – Classic Graphic Services
Gary Simberg – Fuji Xerox Australia
Mathew Lucas – All States Book Binding
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And finally … Astrid Swires sends us this timely warning of a virus that played havoc at PacPrint.
There is a dangerous virus being passed electronically, orally and by hand.
This virus is called Worm-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If you should come into contact with WORK put your jacket on
and take two good friends to the nearest pub. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolator-Neutralizer-Extractor (WINE).
The quickest acting WINE type is called Swift-Hitting-Infiltrator-Remover-All-Zones (SHIRAZ) but this is only
available for those who can afford it, the next best equivalent is Cheapest-Available-System-Killer (CASK). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.
Forward this warning to five friends. If you do not have five friends you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life. This virus is DEADLY(Destroys-Every-Available-Decent-Living-Youngster).
PacPrint update: After extensive testing on the showstands and in the entertainment venues of Melbourne it has been concluded that Best-Equivalent-Extractor-Remedy (BEER) may be substituted for WINE but may require a more generous application.