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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.

www.mimakiaus.com.au

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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 90^th 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 15^th 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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Once one of the most successful 64" wide format signage printers, the OKI M64 and W64 (formerly Seiko ColourPainter) sill has a loyal following - here's where to find ink for them.

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With all the ASGA lawn bowls events in multiple states, it's easy to forget that there is still a vibrant golfing community in the industry! ASGA is pleased to announce upcoming 'Flog' days, the next being in NSW on 14th March.

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Visual Connections has finalised its Board for 2024, with the new-look leadership group gathering this week to formulate the supplier association’s strategy for the next five years. Board Members attended the strategy session retreat, which was convened to set the direction for the supplier association into the medium-term future, guided by its mandate to support a sustainable future for the sector.

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SCREEN Graphic Solutions Co., Ltd. has finalised the development of its new Truepress JET 560HDX roll-fed digital inkjet press. The system will join Screen GA’s lineup for the commercial printing, direct mail, and publishing printing markets.

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FESPA has confirmed the programme for its first Sportswear Pro conference, taking place on 21st March 2024, during the main Fespa event at RAI Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Delegates will learn about the latest developments in the burgeoning sports and active-wear manufacturing, as well as cutting-edge innovations used in on-demand, customised sportswear production.

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Roland DG Corporation, has announced that the VersaSTUDIO BY-20, launched on January 16th, 2024, has received a Buyers Lab (BLI) 2024 Pick Award from Keypoint Intelligence for Outstanding Desktop DTF Printer. It is the first desktop DTF (Direct-to-Film) printer to earn the esteemed award in Keypoint Intelligence’s inaugural DTF awards cycle.

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The Print, Graphics and Signage industry remains in shock and mystified by the voluntary administration of Starleaton and associated companies from 19^th January this year, at a time when most suppliers appear to be doing well, in a sector that is growing faster than any other in the graphic arts. Andy McCourt updates the situation.