- Leeds City College's decision to close its in-house print facility is yet another blow for print industry training, especially when set against a decade of decline in the number of skills-based print courses available in the UK.
- Presstek is to launch a new chemistry-free CTP plate for waterless printing, along with new colour calibration technology at Drupa 2012 (Hall 4, Stand B03).
- Manufacturer Glunz & Jensen is to demonstrate its new Gecko+ offset plate processing platform, which aims to offer high-end technology at a low price, at Drupa 2012 (Hall 5, Stand C38).
- Stones the Printers has invested in a Heidelberg SM102 12-colour press with Cutstar along with an Autobond Laminator as part of an ongoing investment programme.
- Some banks are refusing to lend to SMEs while others are charging increased fees for refinancing existing loans, according to the Bank of England.
- Paper manufacturer Mondi has launched a campaign to highlight its range of sustainably produced, digitally optimised paper.
- Almost three-quarters of small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to raise finance for growth, according to a report published by private equity company ECI.
- Troubled merchant Paperlinx has announced that it has suspended interest payments on its Step-up-Preference Securities (SPS) to retain cash in the business.
- OwnX Technologies (337) is actively seeking business partners at GOA to help promote the SpeedStar 3000 inkjet label printer.
- The BPIF has backed recommendations made in a government-commissioned report for new policies to reinvigorate manufacturing in the UK.
- Ilford has launched a range of recyclable and biodegradable alternatives to commercial display products at Fespa Digital 2012.
- Industrial Inkjet's (IIJ) latest high-speed printhead has been given its world premiere at Fespa Digital.
- Kornit Digital is demonstrating a new printhead technology at Fespa Digital that it says makes it easier to print designs onto dark fabrics.
- Aeoon Technology has launched an industrial t-shirt printer at Fespa after showcasing a prototype at last year's show in Hamburg.
- Exaprint (H46) is demonstrating its new web-to-print (W2P) and catalogue tools at Fespa.
- Paper manufacturer UPM will launch its first print workflow, a cloud-based system developed in conjunction with Dalim and GMG, at Drupa following its decision to expand its range of products and services.
- Commerical printer Abbey Print has installed a Ricoh Pro C751ex digital press to replace an older machine.
- Océ is to launch a new full colour inkjet printer, the Colorstream 3700, which is an update on its 3500 machine, at Drupa in May.
- Manroland Web Systems is back in business after its acquisition by the Possehl Group and will emerge stronger under new ownership, according to Peter Kuisle, the company's vice president of sales, service and marketing.
- Anton Group has installed a Duplo Digital System 5000 Pro Bookletmaker and a DC 745e digital cutter/creaser to improve the efficiency of its variable data printing operation.
