That was the year that was 2010
Tough times, takeovers and occasional triumphs characterised this year. Read on to relive the biggest printing news of 2010 as reported by Print21.
January
Moore Business Systems taken over by Argus
A Christmas Eve general meeting of publicly listed Argus Solutions Limited put a halt to trading in its shares in order to reorganise its finances and formalise a bid for Moore Business Systems (MBS).
February
Opus Print Group makes a move on Asia
Following a busy year of local acquisitions, including the takeover of ACT-based CanPrint and Union Offset, Opus Print Group is furthering its reach through a strategic alliance with C.O.S Printers in Singapore and Hung Hing, headquartered in Hong Kong, with several print facilities in China.
Worldwide Online stores continue trading as HQ goes under
Independent franchise print stores around the country kept operating as usual, while the Perth-based franchisor floundered after 16 years of growth.
Canon takeover of Océ heads to court
The great print takeover of the decade was met with some resistance as shareholders challenged the acceptance of the cash offer by directors.
March
Paragon Printing runs out of luck
News that iconic forms company, Paragon Printing entered into voluntary administration along with Moore Office Products set the scene for distress and protest in the rural community of Wodonga.
Staff stand down set to continue at Paragon Printing
And on it went ...
Carnage continues across local print industry
Another blow to the industry as award-winning Pettaras Press entered voluntary administration. Later, STI Lilyfield would purchase the company’s equipment and machinery.
April
PaperlinX pulls the plug on Burnie paper mill
The closure of the Burnie mill signalled an end to PaperlinX’s manufacturing operations in Australia as it transforms into a purely paper merchant company.
Chippendale given the chop by administrators
No rescue package from private equity owners, Helmsman, or mooted merger with fellow busted printer, Beaver, came to save the iconic Sydney company.
Paragon Printing picked up by Print Media Group
And finally a buyer was found as the Wodonga business became part of Print Media Group.
May
Opus signs on in Singapore
More expansion from the PE-backed Opus Print Group.
Heidelberg goes digital with Konica Minolta
At IPEX, Heidelberg said the D-word. Then it said K and M. Together.
June
Geoff Selig is back in business with Caxton Web
Talk about a blast from the past. Ex Blue Star identity, Geoff Selig, got back into the game.
Quality Print Group goes under
Another one bites the dust ... in Sydney.
August
QANTAS gags comment on $10m print tender
Print management company, TMA, was not allowed to give details to us of its winning bid as QANTAS insists all print under the new tender will be sourced in Australia.
September
Printers pull together in Christchurch crisis
Major earthquakes in Christchurch saw a strong show of support from NZ print community.
Goanna Print is the latest print company to fail
The continuing plague of company failures claimed another victim in the iconic Canberra printer that was one of the most awarded in the industry.
Industry mourns loss of Printing Industries national president
A great loss for the printing industry as national president, Jim Atkinson, (pictured) passed away.
Final chapter for Standard Publishing House
The troubled tale of major Sydney printer ame to an end as liquidators move in and trade creditors go begging.
TLC NSW - the $16 company goes broke owing $1.2 million
Creditors left holding an empty bag as The Laminating Company (NSW) goes into voluntary liquidation reporting total assets of $16.78.
October
SOS reaches across the transTasman with Astra Print
Another chapter for the progressive Sydney-based SOS Print + Media.
Toby takes over from Tom in PaperlinX reshuffle
Tom Park’s time with PaperlinX came to an end as UK CEO, Toby Marchant, took over the role but remains overseas.
Colorpak thinks outside the square with Carter Holt Harvey acquisition
$5 million acquisition of Carter Holt Harvey’s folding carton operations allows Colorpak to move into New Zealand.
Sydney printer’s life ends in tragedy
A terrible tragedy as a man died after becoming trapped in a printing press.
November
PrintCom coming to Melbourne
Big news from GASAA. Another print tradeshow, and the same year as PrintEx.
Canon opens the door to Océ in Melbourne
Major movement in Melbourne as local Océ office joins Canon in the same building, while the two continue to trade as separate entities.
Media man Ian Law leaves PBL
PBL Media’s CEO, Ian Law, resigned from the top job the same year as the company pulled the plug on plans for its own printing site.
Susan Heaney leads the way as new Printing Industries president
Queensland print identity, Susan Heaney (pictured) of Heaneys Performers in Print is the first woman national president of Printing Industries heading the newly elected committee which takes office in the new year.
PMP downsizes New Zealand print sites
Second stage of PMP transformation sees its five print sites in Auckland reduced to only two.
NZ paper merchant BJ Ball scores a win in Australia
The private equity-backed supplier is now in effective control of mid-sized merchant, Focus Paper.
December
Platypus Graphics catches Printpoint
The year ended with another casualty, this time in Queensland, as award-winning printer, Printpoint entered liquidation.
Here comes another campaign to promote print
Finally, some good news. The Power of Print campaign at next year's PrintEx tradeshow is just what the industry needs in its continued fight for recognition. The campaign has also been welcomed by APIA, too.