Bob Meade, founder of Bokay Signs, pioneering printer, and one of the leading lights in the WA sign industry, has passed away, two years after selling his business.

Industry identity Ashley Playford-Browne has joined Durst Oceania as its new sales manager LFP and Textile, as the company ramps up its activity.

Gold Coast operation Systems Signs is in voluntary liquidation, two years after facing a winding up order, with directors Sean Donnelly and Michelle Van Der Ryken calling it quits this week.

With the floods and fires fresh in the minds of printers, specialist insurer Sign Manufacturer Insurance Broker (SMIB) is now offering specialised insurance brokerage to Fespa Australia members.

Global wide format print association Fespa is introducing FIT – Fespa Innovations and Trends, a new series of live virtual events it says is aimed at helping printers plan effectively for their business recovery.

Massivit 3D Printing Technologies, a leading provider of large-volume 3D printing solutions, will launch the industrial-grade Massivit 5000 3D printing system this week, through a webinar at 5pm on Sunday.

A keen, lively and enthusiastic group of members of Australia’s specialty printing industry attended the Fespa Australia Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, at Sandhurst Golf Club, in Melbourne.

Ron Bailey, founding director of Bailey Print Group and Bailey Outdoor Advertising, and a leading Queensland sign and display identity, has passed away.

Currie Group had a fully booked week for its first EFI Open House, with printers from both the commercial and the sign and display sectors coming over to its Hawthorn demonstration centre for the event.

Durst is launching a new innovation for soft signage and fabric printing, to be known as Durst ISUB, with printers invited to register for the live online launch event taking place at the end of the month.

WA sign and print businesses, Bokay Signage and Expo Group, are merging to form a new brand, ExBo Visual, which will continue as part of the growing Jason Signmakers Group.

Currie Group still has space for bookings at its Open House week, which is running in Melbourne for the next three days, showcasing the latest EFI product offerings, including a live demo on the EFI Pro 32r+.

Spending on outdoor advertising is on the road to recovery, according to the OMA, which says the March figures are 18 per cent up on February, although Q1 overall was well down on last year.

Digital cutting table developer, Kongsberg, is now a stand-alone entity, with its sale from Esko to a private equity group now complete. Its customers in the ANZ will now deal directly with Kongsberg Oceania, which will provide all service and support.

Melbourne-based LC Signs is in liquidation, the debts of the nine-year-old company now in the hands of Liam Bellamy from Chan Naylor.

Print X general manager Paul Coniglio has purchased the business from Motor One Group, will rebrand it as Print X One, is investing in new equipment, and is taking on new staff.