KBA has reported a rise in group sales by over 10 per cent to nearly €1.3bn and a positive operating profit of over €30m before special items, more than triple that of 2011 (€9.9m) in its preliminary figures as operating and free cash flow was also positive.

There has been a strong interest in Melbourne based Vega Press which has been in receivership since mid-February with industry players and financial firms looking at acquiring the 53 year old print business.

On March 3, the European Timber Regulations (EUTR) come into force, making placing illegal or timber products into European Union markets will be a criminal offence.

Registrations are now open for the Heidelberg Women in Print breakfast events, to be held in capital cities throughout the country during April.

The first Geon creditors’ meeting is underway in Sydney, against the backdrop of a company that is looking increasingly unstable.

Printing Industries Association Australia (PIAA) and the Graphic Arts Services Association of Australia (GASAA) have merged and are now one organization, with GASAA to operate under the name of Graphic Arts Services Australia (GASA) as a section within the amalgamated organisation.

Geon’s major labelstock supplier Avery Dennison has joined fine paper merchants by stopping supply to the embattled print group, heightening pressure on the company.

Opus Print Group saw its results fall into the red in the first half of the year as tough trading conditions and restructuring costs took their toll.

The founder of the Müller Martini Group and a pioneer in machine development and print finishing for the graphic arts industry, Hans Müller, has died at the age of 96 in Zofingen, Switzerland.

Innovative French inkjet digital web and sheetfed manufacturer Impika has been purchased by the Xerox Corporation, and will now be part of Xerox’s communications division.