Fujifilm and Screen partner up for PANPA

Joining forces at this year’s PANPA (Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers' Association) Future Forum, Fujifilm ANZ and Dainippon Screen Australia will co-promote the emergence of short run newspaper prints on Screen’s Truepress Jet 520 digital web press.

This co-operation will make its first public appearance at the Sydney-based event from 18 to 19 August, where personnel from both companies will be handing out samples of digitally printed newspapers from around the world

Akira Hayakawa, managing director of Screen Australia says Fujifilm Australia is already a reseller for the Truepress Jet 520, “but this new arrangement acknowledges their excellent relationships with the newspaper market, and effectively hands that sector over Fujifilm, with Screen’s full technical and advisory support.”

“Jointly, Screen and Fujifilm will now be able to help newspapers in the ANZ region address the exciting possibilities of digital inkjet printing for remote printing, zoning of targeted publications, personalization of news and short runs printed at many sites for maximum impact and rapid time-to-market,” said Hayakawa.

According to Fujifilm, the Jet520ZZ is of particular interest to newspaper printers as it is capable of 220 metres per minute in full colour, or around 3,600 24-page tabloid newspapers per hour.

Sturt Eastwood (pictured), general manager of FUJIFILM Graphic Systems says the developing partnership adds many new opportunities. “Together in the newspaper market, we are determined to support the industry to continue to make the challenging changes needed to maintain and increase the printed newspaper’s presence in an information-rich, multi-faceted media environment.

“Fujifilm enjoys a long-standing relationship with Screen, in both CTP and digital presses,” said Eastwood, adding that it has “supplied newspapers with film, plates and technology for many years so we understand the dynamics of the newspaper industry.”

The co-presentation at the 2011 PANPA forum will exhibit Fujifilm’s strong representation in newsprint and Screen’s expertise in digital newsprint.

Matt Ritson, marketing manager of FUJIFILM Graphic Systems says its strong association within the graphics communications industry will “enhance our coverage across all forms of print media, in distribution, service support and technical knowledge. In the Truepress Jet 520 we will see and evolution in short run newspaper printing applications.”

“We look forward to partnering with Screen at this years PANPA future forum and a long-term partnership in service and supply to the newsprint channel,” said Ritson.