Business

On 16 November 2009 Canon and Océ announced that they had reached conditional agreement to combine their printing activities through a fully self-funded, public cash offer by Canon for all the outstanding ordinary shares of Océ.

The offer price of €8.60 per outstanding ordinary share of Océ represents a premium of 70% over the closing price of Friday 13 November 2009 and 137% to the average closing price of Océ’s shares over the 12 months prior to 16 November 2009. Canon and Océ will be able to build upon each other’s strong history and proven track record of innovation and customer servicing and will create a strong joint enterprise capable of long term success.

The combination will capitalize on an excellent complementary fit in product mix, channel mix, R&D and business lines resulting in an outstanding client offer spanning the entire printing industry. Océ remains a separate legal entity as a Canon division, headquartered in Venlo (The Netherlands); within this division the Océ brand name is to be maintained and applied in all relevant markets. Océ continues to lead its R&D and manufacturing.

The Management Board and key management will remain in place. Employees will become part of the industry leader. Océ and Canon do not see any material negative consequences as a result of the recommended offer for the existing employment level of Océ, excluding already announced personnel reductions. The Management and Supervisory Boards of Océ fully and unanimously support and recommend the intended offer.

Holders of the depository receipts for Océ’s cumulative preference shares (approximately 19% of the total share capital) agreed to sell their interests to Canon; large shareholder Bestinver Gestion, SGIIC S.A. (approximately 9.5% of the outstanding ordinary shares) has provided an irrevocable undertaking to tender. Canon has acquired 28.05% of the outstanding ordinary shares since 16 November 2009 and received approval from all relevant anti-trust authorities.

 

FESPA 2010 (22 – 26 June, Messe Munich) heralds the launch of FESPA Fabric, a comprehensive ‘show within a show’ focussing exclusively on garment decoration.

Occupying a whole hall at the exhibition, FESPA Fabric has been conceived to give textile print professionals, garment producers, fashion technicians, retailers and apparel brand owners access to the latest sector news and developments, and a chance to see the innovative techniques, technologies and consumables that will help them differentiate and add value to their products while optimising productivity and profitability.

At around 8000m2, FESPA Fabric will be more than 30 per cent bigger than previous garment decoration zones within FESPA shows. The event features a world-class line-up of the leading innovators and solution providers in the garment decoration community, including event sponsors Falk & Ross, Gildan, Kornit Digital, as well as other leading industry names such as Heinz Walz, Polyone Wilflex, Quaglia, San Roque and Sawgrass.

FESPA Sales & Marketing Director Marcus Timson comments: “Garment decoration is heavily dominated by the screen printing process, which still offers unique flexibility, creativity and productivity for garment producers. In that respect FESPA, with its deep screen heritage, is the natural home for an event focused on garment decoration, and our show has always attracted a sizeable global audience from this market.

“Building on this track record, we were keen to add more value for these visitors, by giving this part of the FESPA show its own clear identity, and channelling more effort into making it a holistic event experience, with features and educational activities specifically tailored to the interests of this specialist audience.”

Visitors to FESPA Fabric will have the opportunity to see the latest advances in manual and automatic screen printing, digital direct-to-garment technology, drying and heat transfer technology, laser cutting and design software. They will also be able to network with screen printing machine manufacturers, ink innovators, garment producers, and embroidery and flocking specialists to inspire them to take their businesses forward.

Timson continues: “Like all service providers, today’s ultra competitive environment means that garment producers need to stay abreast of technical developments and look at opportunities to achieve greater production efficiencies or speed up time to market. More importantly, in the ultra fast-moving fashion sector, innovation equals differentiation. Garment producers, whether small craft-based businesses or larger volume producers, need to open their minds to new techniques, processes and value-adding applications that can help their customers to create garments that respond more quickly to changing trends, meet consumer demand and gain competitive advantage.”

Fabric Live! is a daily fashion show at FESPA Fabric, featuring show sponsors Falk & Ross and Gildan. A live commentary will provide expert insights into the textiles, inks and processes involved, and the audience will have a chance to network with industry insiders at the Fabric Bar within the Fabric Live! area.

Charlie’s Hub is the place for visitors to find world renowned garment printing expert Charlie Taublieb. He will provide practical demonstrations and valuable insight to help printers hone their techniques and get the most out of their equipment to produce high quality printed fabric products. Garment guru and owner of T-Shirt Biz International, Scott Fresener will be delivering garment decoration master classes every day from 10:00h to 14:00h. Both experts will be on hand to discuss key trends, processes and technologies and answer questions.

Event supporters IFAI (Industrial Fabrics Association International) and WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) will also provide input to ensure that FESPA Fabric visitors can access the latest information about issues such as environmentally sustainable garment production and compliance.

To find out more about FESPA Fabric visit the show microsite at www.fespafabric.com

For general information about FESPA’s flagship global 2010 event, visit the main event web site at www.fespa2010.com

 

The global launch of the Epson Digital Label Press

At Ipex 2010, Epson (Hall 10 Stand C260, NEC, Birmingham) will showcase its range of production-level inkjet printers that combine quality, flexibility and productivity to deliver innovative products for commercial packaging, proofing and display graphics applications.

Solutions for the packaging and labelling sectors feature strongly in Epson's newest innovations, and the company will launch its Digital Label Press at the show. Featuring Epson's acclaimed Micro Piezo inkjet technology, the press is aimed at companies wishing to produce short runs of high quality labels cost effectively. It delivers smooth gradations and superb colour quality on a wide range of versatile media, including standard semi-gloss, film and matte label stock up to 320 microns in thickness and rolls from 80-330mm wide. The Digital Label Press prints at production speeds of up to 5 metres per minute, and uses Epson's enhanced 6-colour pigment ink system to reproduce colours with remarkable accuracy.

Also on show will be the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 inkjet printer, demonstrating contract packaging proofs and accurate sample production. The Stylus Pro WT7900 offers sophisticated colour management and precision printing on a variety of flexible film, paper and metallic media. Using the Epson UltraChrome HDR-White inkset, it produces the wide colour gamut and accurate spot colours required by the packaging industry. A key feature is its ability to deliver high density white tints and accurate overlays using a world-first, water-based white ink developed specifically by Epson for this printer.

Reinforcing its leading position in the large format market for exterior and interior graphics, Epson will also demonstrate the Stylus Pro GS6000 eco-solvent type printer. This 64" large format printer with UltraChrome GS inkset offers a very wide colour gamut in a printer designed for both indoor and outdoor applications. The inkset allows the production of high-impact, high quality durable prints, enabling printers, copy shops and sign shops to extend their business into higher quality and more demanding applications such as airport and exhibition graphics.

Finally, the company's range of award-winning Epson Stylus Pro inkjet printers will be in action demonstrating large format photographic, fine art, poster and proofing applications in association with leading software partners.

IPEX takes place from 18-22 May 2010.

 

Hampshire Flag Company has helped fundraising get off to a flying start in 2010 by supporting a charity calendar for the men and women of the Armed Forces.

The ‘Wickedelic Sweethearts’ calendar, which raises money for Help For Heroes and sister charity Combat Stress, features an array of Hampshire Flag donated Union flags used as a backdrop for lingerie models in a military context.

The leading flag manufacturing firm supplied five Union flags of various sizes for the photo shoots featuring models wearing Wickedlic Lingerie.

David Hildrew, Managing Director of Wickedelic Lingerie and former Royal Marine, said, “Hampshire Flag’s support has been invaluable and we would not have been able to complete this project to such a high production value without them. The flags gave the whole project a consistent theme and, as a result, the shots look great.”

This is the first Wickedelic Lingerie calendar for Help For Heroes and was the brainchild of David Hildrew as he wanted to show support for the charity. All profits from the calendar, which is still available from www.wickedeliclingerie.co.uk, go to Help For Heroes and Combat Stress.

“Hampshire Flag has shown itself to be genuine supporters of the brave men and women of the British Armed Forces and we are delighted with how the flags look in the shots,” David added.

Graham Wilkinson, Managing Director of the multi-award winning firm said, “It is an honour to be able to help so directly in raising both awareness and funds for such an important charity. The Union flag always creates a sense of patriotism and pride and was the perfect prop for the photo shoots.”

Hampshire Flag’s team of 21 produces hand-sewn national and international flags and digitally printed banners. The Waterlooville firm also offers a bespoke flag design service, PVC banners, marine flags, bunting, table flags, exhibition graphics and event systems in addition to the supply and installation an extensive range of flagpoles.

Its prestigious portfolio of clients includes Selfridges, the BBC, Channel 4, Portsmouth Football Club, IBM and British Airways. Hampshire Flag supports various charities and expeditions including Action for Kids, Samaritans, Gumboots and for swimmer and environmentalist Lewis Pugh’s on-going feats.

 

With the UK’s printing industry spending over £67 million a year on energy bills, which equates to the usage of approximately two million tonnes of carbon emissions according to the Carbon Trust, printers are encouraged to take a proactive approach to seeking expert support available to them for the implementation of certifiable environmental management systems such as ISO 14001.

Fortunately for those printing firms based in the East of England, the ISO 14001 environmental standard can be implemented with the financial aid available, subsequently reducing a significant amount of the cost of implementation.

Beyond implementing standards, Blackmores will take companies through the stages of their funding application as part of an initiative to more quickly promote carbon savings within the UK at the same time as enabling organisations cost savings during a period of economic downturn.

By implementing ISO 14001, printing firms are able to adopt an expert approach to managing the efficiency of their energy usage which can then meet  increasing demands from clients and the government to ‘go green’.

A renowned UK based printing company Lamport Gilbert, have achieved savings of £40,000 a year through successful implementation of ISO 14001.

Blackmores, a consultancy with leading environmental experts from the print industry offer free advice on funding that is available to the print industry.

Melanie Blackmore, Managing Director of Blackmores quoted, “It has been tough for many print companies in the UK however 2010 brings many opportunities to support the print industry to reduce energy, waste and costs. It’s a competitive market, but we are delighted that there is financial support to give those organisations without ISO 14001 the competitive edge.  Funding varies from region to region across the UK, and ranges from £1,000 - £5,000 in matched funding.”

We are finding that the vast majority of our clients are eligible for funding so we can hold their hand from the funding process through to implementation, training and successful certification.

For further information contact Nicolette Fletcher at 01462 450591 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Roland DG UK is pleased to announce that Brett Newman has been appointed to its Board of Directors and will hold the role of Technical Director. Brett assumes his new role with immediate effect and will be responsible for dealer and customer relations in the sign and graphics market, all technical services including RolandCare maintenance support, and product management and development.

Roland DG’s Managing Director, Jerry Davies said, “Brett has been instrumental in Roland DG's success and his knowledge, enthusiasm and ability is widely known and respected within the Company and the industry. This promotion not only recognises Brett’s past achievements, but that he outwardly represents Roland’s values, and has skills that the business requires to maintain its continued growth.”

Brett made his first impact on the industry almost fifteen years ago when a Roland Dealership relocated to the village where Brett lived at the time. He joined Roland in 2001 and progressed quickly from his role as an Engineer to Print Product Manager. More recently his role has been Head of Product Management.

Brett said, “I am absolutely delighted to be promoted to the Board. Roland has always been a reflection of its people, its products and its passion for the markets and customers it serves. I feel very proud and privileged to have been part of Roland’s growth, and I look forward to making my contribution to its future and its continuing success in my new Role."