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It's a bicentennial of another kind. In 1824, 36 years after the British colonisation of what was to become known as Australia, a challenger emerged to the tightly-controlled and censored media of the NSW colony based in Sydney. It was steered by none other than William Charles Wentworth, with a bit of help from a printer.
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The Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA) held it’s Annual General Meeting in Melbourne last Friday, 16th February, with President Mick Harrold saying the association was looking forward to a strong future.
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Allpride Signs, established in 1989 in Newcastle, NSW was pressured into paying $44,000 upfront for a new 64" (1625mm) eco-solvent printer, just seven days before Starleaton Holdings went into voluntary administration. It was never delivered as promised. Additionally, an earlier but still working ColorPainter printer was traded and relieved of its printheads, rendering it inoperable.
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It was a perfect night in Melbourne last Friday 16th for the inaugural ASGA Victorian Bowls Event, held at the Melbourne Bowling Club in Windsor.
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It's only 3 months before the doors to the world's most important print & graphic discipline show opens. Over a period of eleven days, 1,427 exhibitors from 50 countries will present innovative technologies, solutions and topics that affect the industry now and in future. A wide range of special events will provide valuable know-how. The main focus on digitalisation and sustainability.
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With FESPA approaching fast, Mimaki has announced its latest technologies for a sustainable future, all of which will be on display at the Amsterdam expo. 2024 also marks 20 years of Mimaki's direct operation in Europe,
Mimaki's UJV100-160Plus claims 'extraordinarily' low power consumption
Mimaki Europe is set to bring brand new products to FESPA, featuring the latest in UV print technology, Mimaki is also Fespa's official 'UV Excellence Partner' and will present some of its most advanced, energy-efficient UV solutions at the centre of its stand, F10 in Hall 12 of the RAI and also at its own 'Experience Centre' just 10 minutes away from the show grounds.
Mimaki’s vision for the future will be evident throughout the show, with an innovative industrial textile printing system to be launched in the company’s ‘Sustainability Corner.’ Mimaki’s energy-efficient, UV technology Fespa line-up will consist of the recently launched UJV100-160Plus and UCJV330-160. The UJV100-160Plus claims extraordinarily low power consumption, as well as additional functionalities to increase customer profitability. The UCJV330-160 integrated printer/cutter is a new addition to Mimaki’s 330 series product portfolio, offering high-speed and high-quality printing for various applications, with in-built cutting.
DTF strong
Following Mimaki’s recent move into the DTF market, the company’s latest addition, the TxF300-75, will be demonstrated at an EMEA-wide show for the very first time. Both DTF printers fulfil market demand for a stable and efficient DTF platform, and this new system, released in August 2023, helps to cater to a diverse set of printing demands, with high-quality output combined with high productivity.
While Mimaki is looking ahead to ways in which it can support a sustainable future, the company will also reflect on its rich heritage as an innovator. Celebrating two decades of success in the market, Mimaki will commemorate 20 years of technology ‘world firsts’, an extensive list of creative applications printed, and its many partners, customers and industry collaborators who helped make it all possible. 
Mimaki's Danna Drion
Danna Drion, General Manager Marketing EMEA says:“This milestone anniversary for Mimaki Europe presents the ideal opportunity to celebrate success but, importantly, look to the future and establish how we as a team and a business can contribute to a more sustainable world during the next 20 years. Utilising our aptitude for innovation, we will look to apply it to technologies and initiatives that contribute to this long-term goal.
“This FESPA offers a compelling chance for visitors to fully immerse themselves in Mimaki’s comprehensive product portfolio, both at the show and next door at our European headquarters. We’re excited to present our latest product portfolio to our many customers and prospects and, of course, for everyone to join us in celebrating our landmark 20-year anniversary.”
Free entry by pre-registering
To register for FESPA 2024, please click here and use the promo code EXHX24 for free entry.
Tours of the off-site Mimaki Experience Centre require registration for transport to-and-from the centre.
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It's a big first quarter for Women in Print, with the celebration of International Women's Day and the schedule for the popular WIP Breakfast Series announced.
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"Liquidation is the only option" says the report. The Administrators of industry supplier Starleaton Holdings/SDS Bidco, Cathro & Partners, have filed their report with ASIC and it makes grim reading. Liabilities are higher than anticipated and recovery-of-debts prospects for unsecured creditors rated at zero cents-in-the-dollar. Andy McCourt delivers this initial report on the findings.
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Durst Group has engaged the renowned South Tyrolean artist Klaus Pobitzer as "Artist in Residence 2024." The artist will be inspired by the Durst Group headquarters in Brixen to create artistic works inside and outside the venue. One of the first fruits of the collaboration is the installation "Inside-Out."
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Fujifilm is celebrating its 90th anniversary with the launch of the company’s first ever Global Purpose, ‘Giving our world more smiles', underscoring the company’s commitment to bring diverse ideas, unique capabilities and extraordinary people together to change the world.
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Roland DG Australia has announced the appointment of Andy Fung of Printpro Solution Pty Ltd as an Authorised Service Agent in Western Australia. His appointment is said to reflect the steadfast commitment Roland DG gives to serving customers through its Roland DG Care initiatives in the far west state.
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EFI has announced new VUTEk h+ Series Hybrid printers with future-proofing enhancements for Sign and Display producers. The Vutek name has been synonymous with Super-wide format printers up to 5 metres since the earliest days of this digital inkjet format, and part of EFI since 2005.
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Building on its excellent sustainability and carbon-neutral credentials, Epson is planning to commence construction of a Biomass generator in fiscal 2026. The plant will have an estimated annual power generation 14,000,000 kWh.
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The statutory Report on Company Activities and Property has been released in relation to Starleaton Holdings, in administration. The report from Cathro & Partners to creditors is in preparation and should be available very shortly.
Once mighty, now insolvent, Starleaton HQ, Artarmon NSW
While more analysis is called for, Starleaton’s financial position appears shakey.
Total amount owing is listed at $17,459,425 – about $17.5 million.
Owed to Starleaton and recoverable for creditors, is estimated at around $1.9 million, but the majority of ‘owings’ is via related and inter-company loans totalling about $6.5 million with founders Peter and Leanne Eaton personally owed around $5.4 million. Interestingly, the company name Starleaton Pty Ltd is still registered to P&L Eaton and not in administration.
Fixed assets are negligible at around $400,000 but even this is dependent on the true realisable value of IT systems, furniture and the e-commerce website. Stock value is estimated at $4.3 million but much of this is borrowed against with PMSI (Purchase Money Security Interest) Creditors, who are first in line of the ordinary secured creditors. Besides, stock was recently offered by Starleaton at anything up to 50% discount.
Starleaton’s debtor book invoices were factor-financed by Octet Finance to the tune of around $1.4 million and some of those debts are unrecoverable because they are owed by companies who themselves are in liquidation, such as Shout Media and Pressfast.
The ultimate holding company of Starleaton is SDS Bidco Pty, also in administration. Starleaton Holdings owes SDS Bidco about $6.5 million. The other creditors are Eaton family members via investment vehicles, Octet and the NAB for a total of $14.9 million owing.
Creditors - employees suffer
The most distressing group of creditors are former employees. It appears that Superannuation SGL payments have not been paid for some time. When Unpaid wages, Long service leave, Annual leave are added, it totals $596,405 owed to employees.
Other major creditors (rounded) listed include:
ATO (Tax Office) $623,634
Canon CPP $512,000
AMEX $474,000
Zund $385,000
Neschen $355,000
Elof Hannson $123,000
MLC Super $122,000
Epson $ 92,000
Ball&Doggett $ 85,000
Felix Schoeller $ 53,000
State rev Q,WA,Vic $ 42,000
Neenah Paper $ 47,000
Permalite $ 36,000
Hahnemuhle $ 30,000
Mimaki $ 27,000
And a host of others.
The full Cathro report to creditors will be released this Thursday 15th February and published here.
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Digitization of Packaging is a great opportunity at drupa, says Dr Sean Smyth – Analyst & Consultant with research group Smithers. Inkjet looms large across all applications but HP Indigo liquid toner is holding its own, as is dry toner at the lower end.
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