The Print Files - September was a Big Month In Print

Oct 03 2024 20 mins

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In the latest episode of print's podcast, It's Been A Big Month in Print, industry insiders Wayne Robinson and Lindy Hughson analyse, assess, and interpret the major news, trends, issues and developments from September.

We start off by reviewing a Smithers report which forecasts a 25 per cent of printed packaging and labels over the next five years for Australia and New Zealand, with automated workflows, robotics, and artificial intelligence playing a major role. The discussion also looks at some of the print businesses that are now investing for packaging. As packaging point grows, newspapers decline, we look at the factors behind the Australian Community Media’s decision to begin culling weekday editions of several regional newspapers.

The month saw two huge deals in print: Xsys purchased flexo plate rival MacDermid for $485m, while Epson spent $875m to buy rip developer Fiery. We examine the motives behind the deals, which confound those who say there is no money in print.

And we discuss a major win for the industry, which saw Australia Post reverse its decision to suspend unaddressed mail during the pre-Christmas period.

Finally we look at the changing world of trade exhibitions, specifically drupa’s decision to reduce the next show from 11 days to nine, and the new PacPrint, being held in Sydney for the first time, and with Kirsten Taylor from Taylor’d Press as the new chair of the board.

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