The five-staff business-to-consumer division was supported by a £70,000 investment in Fastbind photobook finishing equipment from Ashgate Automation and Taopix software, said chairman Robin Sumner. “Romax started in 1997 and DM was the largest part of our income,” he said. “But we wanted to broaden our horizons and see Photoleaf as another pillar to our business. We anticipated the average order to be £35, but it is more than double that at £78. “We have had 200 orders, around 10 a day, which is healthy. We budgeted for a £90,000 turnover but we hope to make between £100,00 and £150,000 this year. Within three years we hope to have a turnover of £1m.” New equipment for the business includes a Fastbind Elite XT large-format perfect binder, a Casematic H46Pro casemaker, a FotoMount F46e large format lay-flat binder, a BooXter Trio staple binder for books with narrow spines. The company also bought a Lamiat 470 pressure roller from Ashgate. Standard delivery times for the web-based photobook service is three to five days, but the division has the capacity turn around urgent jobs by the next day if requested, said Sumner. Greenwich-based Romax has 32 full-time staff and turns over £4.5m. It made its name in design, digital colour print and mailing, specialising in database management and distribution....

The firm, which includes the Paco, SmartLabel and PrintItalia operations, is inviting up to 20 leading international print experts for the conference from 5 to 10 September at Castellaneta Marina near Taranto. “The aim is to bring together some of the great minds in print broking, material buying, supplying and facilitating,” said a spokesman. “There will be debate on whether there is a trend towards a more personal touch in print services.” Well-known UK print consultant Adrian Sleeman will talk about the latest developments in the pre-press arena, while Linkz founder Andrew Perry-Smith, who last year launched an augmented reality (AR) app that tracks response rates to printed advertising or marketing material, will discuss the emerging AR technologies. StampaSud UK commercial director Antony Calo said: “The idea has been to get this off the ground for some time, but now thanks to my company and several other group members this has finally been achieved. Paul Scanlon, chairman of Liverpool-based print management company CDP, and Francis Grogan, director of Leeds-based Grg print management, are helping StampaSud plan the event....

They echoed praise from the Government about the CFOA’s commitment to head up a “business engagement forum” to raise future concerns and brainstorm innovative ideas. Fire chiefs will create a professional, accredited, framework of competence for fire-safety officers, and provide clearer and more consistent support and direction to businesses. “This will include consistency in formal notices across all authorities and clarity on how identified failures of compliance can be addressed,” said a CFOA spokesman. “It will clearly distinguish informal advice from compulsory requirements.” “We will promote the use, and acceptance of, recognised professional certification and accreditation for commercial fire risk assessors, and encourage all fire and rescue authorities to engage with Local Enterprise Partnerships to support better communication with firms.” Business minister Michael Fallon said: “Fire safety regulations must be robustly and clearly enforced to ensure safety without damaging productivity or business growth.” BPIF head of health and safety Simon Lunken said: “There is confusion among employers about fire risk assessments and legal requirements, so these moves are welcome. “Part of the problem is finding competent support and advice; there are people out there who dabble but are a bit out of their depth when it comes to help companies.” Lunken added: “The workplace changes very quickly in print and packaging and there are still a few issues of fire exits being blocked or locked at night and not reopened next day.” The intervention of the CFOA follows the Government’s recent Focus on Enforcement review, which identified a need for more consistent application of regulation and better guidance for companies on how to comply with the law....

They echoed praise from the Government about the CFOA’s commitment to head up a “business engagement forum” to raise future concerns and brainstorm innovative ideas. Fire chiefs will create a professional, accredited, framework of competence for fire-safety officers, and provide clearer and more consistent support and direction to businesses. “This will include consistency in formal notices across all authorities and clarity on how identified failures of compliance can be addressed,” said a CFOA spokesman. “It will clearly distinguish informal advice from compulsory requirements.” “We will promote the use, and acceptance of, recognised professional certification and accreditation for commercial fire risk assessors, and encourage all fire and rescue authorities to engage with Local Enterprise Partnerships to support better communication with firms.” Business minister Michael Fallon said: “Fire safety regulations must be robustly and clearly enforced to ensure safety without damaging productivity or business growth.” BPIF head of health and safety Simon Lunken said: “There is confusion among employers about fire risk assessments and legal requirements, so these moves are welcome. “Part of the problem is finding competent support and advice; there are people out there who dabble but are a bit out of their depth when it comes to help companies.” Lunken added: “The workplace changes very quickly in print and packaging and there are still a few issues of fire exits being blocked or locked at night and not reopened next day.” The intervention of the CFOA follows the Government’s recent Focus on Enforcement review, which identified a need for more consistent application of regulation and better guidance for companies on how to comply with the law....

The firm, which includes the Paco, SmartLabel and PrintItalia operations, is inviting up to 20 leading international print experts for the conference from 5 to 10 September at Castellaneta Marina near Taranto. “The aim is to bring together some of the great minds in print broking, material buying, supplying and facilitating,” said a spokesman. “There will be debate on whether there is a trend towards a more personal touch in print services.” Well-known UK print consultant Adrian Sleeman will talk about the latest developments in the pre-press arena, while Linkz founder Andrew Perry-Smith, who last year launched an augmented reality (AR) app that tracks response rates to printed advertising or marketing material, will discuss the emerging AR technologies. StampaSud UK commercial director Antony Calo said: “The idea has been to get this off the ground for some time, but now thanks to my company and several other group members this has finally been achieved. Paul Scanlon, chairman of Liverpool-based print management company CDP, and Francis Grogan, director of Leeds-based Grg print management, are helping StampaSud plan the event....