Convergence means new suppliers to graphic arts – news commentary Andy McCourt

This trend is echoed by an increasing number of suppliers to the once insular professional graphic arts community.

First-time PacPrint exhibitors include; Océ-Australia, CyberGraphics, Anitech, Applied Pressroom Technologies, Australian Laminating Company, G2 Solutions, Independent Ink Technologies, KBA Australasia, Konica Minolta, Network Marketing, GMG Color and Walls Machinery.

Technology convergence and digital trends have resulted in new companies staking claims to supply our industry with the tools it needs to carry out its vital functions. This trend was confirmed by the UK’s Trevor Crawford, IPEX Exhibition Director, who has found 20% of suppliers booked into the 2006 show are totally new.

One such firm at PacPrint is Kayell (www.kayellnsw.com.au ), once solely a respected supplier to Australia’s professional photographic and pro laboratory sector. The recent announcement of Kayell’s appointment as distributor for GMG Color proofing and workflow software demonstrates its thrust into graphic arts and the commonality of technologies found in all areas of professional digital imaging. Kayell is part of the Imaging Solutions Australia group (www.imagingsolutionsaus.com.au ) with an Australia-wide spread of members.

Data Basics (www.databasics.com.au ) is another example of a supplier servicing printers through digital convergence. Coming from a multimedia background, Data Basics now supplies imposition (Farrukh), workflow (Helios), and Digital Asset Management (Canto) software.

CR Kennedy ( www.crkennedy.com.au) is another supplier relatively unknown to the core graphic arts community and yet, through its Hasselblad-Imacon agency, can supply ultra-high resolution image capture and scanning devices.

As data storage, networking and online communication becomes more essential to the graphic arts community, so IT suppliers such as Harris Technology, Dell and even Office Works can become important suppliers of the latest technologies needed to keep the wheels of commercial printing turning. We have already seen the emergence of Fuji-Xerox, Canon, Océ, Konica Minolta and Ricoh as significant graphic arts vendors.

And, we must not forget PacPrint 2001 was the first time we saw Epson and HP as exhibitors.

MY CALL

Shop around.
The supply sector is more competitive than ever and that can only be good for the industry. The convergence of technologies means that unknown suppliers (at least to the graphic arts), may be able to offer better deals, better choices and new approaches to the business of graphic communications.

Whilst the core bedrock of heavy-metal press suppliers can be counted on two hands, digital and online trends have forged a plethora of alternative suppliers. A recent joke in the industry goes; “I could go to Harvey Norman and walk out with enough technology to open up a print shop.” It’s true, except you wouldn’t have a press but you could farm that work out anywhere. However, you could have a 50 ppm colour laser printer and with short-runs, that may be enough.

Lift your vision when buying technology, there may be more sources than you imagine.

Yesterday, I had cause to buy an emergency 40GB USB hard drive to cover a glitch on my system. The great IT store Harris Technology (www.ht.com.au ) came to the rescue with an in-stock Seagate portable external drive. Within 30 minutes, my entire computer was backed up, for $299. Harris’ fantastic monthly catalogue – 64pp Quarto offset printed, saddle stitched – could indeed furnish a small print and graphics shop from the ground-up.

As my friend Paul Curtis, head of PICA - the Photo and Imaging Council of Australia said recently: “We’re in the imaging industry, mate!”


Footnote: One of Australia’s imaging pioneers, Jack D Hannes of Hanimex and Fuji fame passed away on January 31st. Though mostly renowned for his photographic endeavours, Hanimex Industrial held a significant portfolio of graphic arts products which it shared with the old Sidney Cooke. Jack himself was a shareholder in Merino Pty Ltd, a paper converter and printer now part of PCC, Newcastle.

Shortly after, as reported here last week, we suddenly lost Barry McDonald of Web Graphics, GAMAA and the PacPrint board.

Sincere condolences to the families of these two great icons of Australia’s print-imaging industry, both of whom I was privileged to know and work with.