Epson UK appoints Phil McMullin to Pro Graphics division
McMullin joined after eight years heading up the UK operation of Spandex, Epson distributor and specialist supplier of media and equipment to the signage and display industry. McMullin said: “Digital print for the signage market is a key area of growth for Epson. It’s an exciting time to join the company, with the launch of new large format devices including the SureColor SC-F dye-sub printers, commercial mini-labs, production label printers and other new products.” He added that along with the range of signage printers launched in 2012, the new devices were expected to drive the growth of Epson’s large format printer division for “years to come”. Prior to his time at Spandex, McMullin spent over a decade in the production print divisions of Xerox and Kodak, giving him an insight into the digital proofing, colour management and print requirements of Epson’s traditional customer base, McMullin said. “The primary attraction to customers in these new sectors are the core Epson values developed over 40 years of print experience – quality, consistency, reliability and customer service,” he added....
read moreMimaki upgrades to Windows 8
The upgrade from Windows 7 for RasterLink Pro 5 and RasterLink 6 programmes means users can RIP files quicker using the newest, higher-spec PCs. Customers can download the latest version of the software free from the Mimaki website or use the application’s inbuilt ‘web update function’, according to Mimaki’s UK and Ireland exclusive supplier, Hybrid Services. Technical support officer Steven Barrance said the upgrade could be installed across a range of printers, including the JV33 series, CJV series and the UJF-3042. “This simple-to-use feature is available for customers running RasterLink Pro 5 and all customers who have full versions of RasterLink 6. “It allows users to benefit from the latest Windows operating system, along with other performance and profile updates as they become available.” Mimaki RasterLink Pro 5 and RasterLink 6 are PostScript Level 3 RIP packages, customised to Mimaki printers offering spot-colour support and versatile image editing functions....
read morePlatinum Print expands to stay ahead
The 25-year-old business, which offers personalised direct mail, fulfilment, large-format and general commercial print to SMEs and national blue-chip companies, may split the investment over two financial years. Managing director David Wyvill said he was looking at a Komori H-UV worth £750,000 and a Xerox iGen worth £300,000. It was an either or decision but “ultimately we will probably end up buying them both over time”, he said. “In some ways the recession has helped: we have refocused and looked at process improvements. In the old days printers put up prices 10% and people accepted it, now we have to look at making savings and being more efficient. “We want to keep ahead of competition and like to invest every year rather than end up with a great bill every five years,” he said of his £3.5m-turnover, 28-staff business based in Harrogate, north Yorkshire. “This spend isn’t down to picking up a big account, but wanting to stay ahead.” His team also runs a Ricoh Pro C901, Komori Lithrone 528 and two Mimaki JV33 machines. The software investment on GMG ColorProof, ColorServer and InkOptimizer packages aimed to streamline proof production and increase output accuracy and consistency across its, machines including large-format and litho, said Wyvill. Production director Mark Plummer said maintaining consistent colour across all output devices was a major issue. “I was looking for something that could streamline and automate our production, all the while making the process of colour and profile management as easy as possible for our operators. GMG was one of the few suppliers able to come into our plant and demonstrate with live samples,” he added. The new software has enabled his team to standardise colour space conversions and deliver faster and more consistent results regardless of machine or substrate, while InkOptimizer has cut ink costs and saved drying times, he explained. “Often we’re asked to turn around jobs very quickly, and the reduced drying times that allows us to meet those challenging deadlines more easily. GMG ColorProof, with ColorServer and InkOptimizer, have allowed us to deliver higher quality and more accurate results.”...
read morePlatinum Print expands to stay ahead
The 25-year-old business, which offers personalised direct mail, fulfilment, large-format and general commercial print to SMEs and national blue-chip companies, may split the investment over two financial years. Managing director David Wyvill said he was looking at a Komori H-UV worth £750,000 and a Xerox iGen worth £300,000. It was an either or decision but “ultimately we will probably end up buying them both over time”, he said. “In some ways the recession has helped: we have refocused and looked at process improvements. In the old days printers put up prices 10% and people accepted it, now we have to look at making savings and being more efficient. “We want to keep ahead of competition and like to invest every year rather than end up with a great bill every five years,” he said of his £3.5m-turnover, 28-staff business based in Harrogate, north Yorkshire. “This spend isn’t down to picking up a big account, but wanting to stay ahead.” His team also runs a Ricoh Pro C901, Komori Lithrone 528 and two Mimaki JV33 machines. The software investment on GMG ColorProof, ColorServer and InkOptimizer packages aimed to streamline proof production and increase output accuracy and consistency across its, machines including large-format and litho, said Wyvill. Production director Mark Plummer said maintaining consistent colour across all output devices was a major issue. “I was looking for something that could streamline and automate our production, all the while making the process of colour and profile management as easy as possible for our operators. GMG was one of the few suppliers able to come into our plant and demonstrate with live samples,” he added. The new software has enabled his team to standardise colour space conversions and deliver faster and more consistent results regardless of machine or substrate, while InkOptimizer has cut ink costs and saved drying times, he explained. “Often we’re asked to turn around jobs very quickly, and the reduced drying times that allows us to meet those challenging deadlines more easily. GMG ColorProof, with ColorServer and InkOptimizer, have allowed us to deliver higher quality and more accurate results.”...
read moreBAPC beefs up legal advice on HR issues
The BAPC said it would complement its existing legal advice helpline which offers members guidance on a range of legal matters including business disputes, domestic situations and criminal affairs. “The new service reflects growing demand for legal advice across human resources and employment law such as disciplinary matters, pregnancy issues and job contracts,” said BAPC chairman Sidney Bobb. “This is a huge, complex area of law and demand for help is high.” “For many companies the two largest departments are legal and human resources. More issues are about staff and employment law as companies try to understand the legalities and complexities of managing a business under increasing constraints.” Bobb said the BAPC has struck an initial one-year deal with the Employment Law Advisory Services business support organisation that dedicates services to human resources and employment law. Bobb added: “The BAPC has built a reputation for providing members with benefits that help in business. This enhanced free service will not only assist our members but will give them peace of mind when it comes to the challenges and intricacies of employment law.” He said the organisation, which covers the graphic arts, print and communication sectors, did not have a detailed breakdown of the number of calls or query types that are currently made to the existing service....
read moreBAPC beefs up legal advice on HR issues
The BAPC said it would complement its existing legal advice helpline which offers members guidance on a range of legal matters including business disputes, domestic situations and criminal affairs. “The new service reflects growing demand for legal advice across human resources and employment law such as disciplinary matters, pregnancy issues and job contracts,” said BAPC chairman Sidney Bobb. “This is a huge, complex area of law and demand for help is high.” “For many companies the two largest departments are legal and human resources. More issues are about staff and employment law as companies try to understand the legalities and complexities of managing a business under increasing constraints.” Bobb said the BAPC has struck an initial one-year deal with the Employment Law Advisory Services business support organisation that dedicates services to human resources and employment law. Bobb added: “The BAPC has built a reputation for providing members with benefits that help in business. This enhanced free service will not only assist our members but will give them peace of mind when it comes to the challenges and intricacies of employment law.” He said the organisation, which covers the graphic arts, print and communication sectors, did not have a detailed breakdown of the number of calls or query types that are currently made to the existing service....
read morePyramid Display acquires Sydney Beaumont
Pyramid Display employs 95 staff across its premises in Manchester, Gateshead and Birmingham and expects to have a turnover of around £30m this year. The company specialises in large signage and displays for the retail sector. Sydney Beaumont was founded in 1966 and has three staff and an annual turnover of around £750,000. The company will continue to operate out of its Leeds showroom and trade under the same name. Pyramid Display head of sales and marketing Neil McCarthy said: “It was a good opportunity to get involved in a slightly more diverse business. We’ve been looking for a while at how to move into smaller sign-making. Beaumont specialises in a few niche areas we’re not particularly strong in, so it is a good fit.” Sydney Beaumont will now sell Pyramid Display’s flat-sheet materials alongside its regular range of roll materials. Pyramid Display is targeting growth for both companies. “We’ve been going just over 10 years and we regularly grow 16%-17% year-on-year. “We’re always looking to develop the business, and we’re in a nice position as we’re doing well at the moment. If other acquisition opportunities come along in the future, we’re always looking out for those,” added McCarthy....
read morePyramid Display acquires Sydney Beaumont
Pyramid Display employs 95 staff across its premises in Manchester, Gateshead and Birmingham and expects to have a turnover of around £30m this year. The company specialises in large signage and displays for the retail sector. Sydney Beaumont was founded in 1966 and has three staff and an annual turnover of around £750,000. The company will continue to operate out of its Leeds showroom and trade under the same name. Pyramid Display head of sales and marketing Neil McCarthy said: “It was a good opportunity to get involved in a slightly more diverse business. We’ve been looking for a while at how to move into smaller sign-making. Beaumont specialises in a few niche areas we’re not particularly strong in, so it is a good fit.” Sydney Beaumont will now sell Pyramid Display’s flat-sheet materials alongside its regular range of roll materials. Pyramid Display is targeting growth for both companies. “We’ve been going just over 10 years and we regularly grow 16%-17% year-on-year. “We’re always looking to develop the business, and we’re in a nice position as we’re doing well at the moment. If other acquisition opportunities come along in the future, we’re always looking out for those,” added McCarthy....
read moreSA International to open training and technology centre
SAi, which develops software for the digital, sign-making and wide-format markets, will use the centre to promote its products to current dealers and partners, who will be invited over in groups for training and demo sessions. The company also hopes to target new clients across Europe, including Russia, Africa and the Middle East. Marketing manager Jurgen Verhulst said: “It was time for a big upgrade. We’ve been in Brussels since 2000 but our office was getting old and wasn’t well equipped.” The new centre will feature SAi packages such as PhotoPRINT Cloud, FlexiCLOUD, PixelBlaster and EnRoute while wide-format hardware on show will comprise three Epson SureColor LFPs: the SC-S70600, the SC-S50600 and the SC-S30600, and an HP Designjet L26500 latex printer. A SummaCut D-series vinyl cutter will also be available for demonstration. Additionally a new photo-spectrometer section will include the Barbieri SpectroSwing and SpectroLFP, and the X-Rite i1. Around 40 different types of media will be stocked including standard papers, gloss photo, vinyl, mesh, banner, metallic and one-way vision substrates. The centre is also open to end-users and prospective customers. “Sometimes users have specific questions and they want to try, test, experiment and learn about the products. They are always welcome here,” said Verhulst. He added that the company is planning a dealer event for next year....
read moreSA International to open training and technology centre
SAi, which develops software for the digital, sign-making and wide-format markets, will use the centre to promote its products to current dealers and partners, who will be invited over in groups for training and demo sessions. The company also hopes to target new clients across Europe, including Russia, Africa and the Middle East. Marketing manager Jurgen Verhulst said: “It was time for a big upgrade. We’ve been in Brussels since 2000 but our office was getting old and wasn’t well equipped.” The new centre will feature SAi packages such as PhotoPRINT Cloud, FlexiCLOUD, PixelBlaster and EnRoute while wide-format hardware on show will comprise three Epson SureColor LFPs: the SC-S70600, the SC-S50600 and the SC-S30600, and an HP Designjet L26500 latex printer. A SummaCut D-series vinyl cutter will also be available for demonstration. Additionally a new photo-spectrometer section will include the Barbieri SpectroSwing and SpectroLFP, and the X-Rite i1. Around 40 different types of media will be stocked including standard papers, gloss photo, vinyl, mesh, banner, metallic and one-way vision substrates. The centre is also open to end-users and prospective customers. “Sometimes users have specific questions and they want to try, test, experiment and learn about the products. They are always welcome here,” said Verhulst. He added that the company is planning a dealer event for next year....
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