Page 23 - PWM2026_MARCH EBOOK

GLOBAL NEWS

Konica Minolta & ACPME Express Print has signifi-
IN BRIEF

to hold event cantly enhanced its pro-
duction workflow with a
comprehensive portfolio
of Mimaki digital printing
systems. Based in Varna
Konica Minolta Business and active for more than
Solutions (UK) will host an 10 years, the company
event aimed at supporting maintains a strong focus on the advertising sector. Over the
the evolving needs of modern years, it has steadily expanded its operations, driven by a
clear vision to bring the full spectrum of large-format print-
in-house print and creative ing services in-house, avoiding outsourcing and ensuring
teams next month. Set for complete control over production quality. As part of this
11-12 March and held in part- strategy, Express Print has gradually expanded its Mimaki
nership with ACPME Print-Ed ‘26 - peer led learning fleet to support its diversification across rigid, flexible and
(Association of Creative textile applications. The production floor features a
Print Managers in the organisation’s expanded continuing to champion our UCJV330-160 for high-quality UV-LED roll-to-roll graphics,
Education), Print-Ed 2026 commitment to support the education members. a TxF300-75 for DTF printing, the JFX200-2513 EX and JFX500-
2131 UV-LED flatbed printers, as well as UJF-6042 MkII e and
will welcome in house print in house print and creative Print-Ed 2026 is the ideal the UJV55-320 systems .
and creative leaders to community working across platform to begin this next
Konica Minolta’s Client corporate, public sector, and chapter.” Planet Group, a Canadian
Engagement Centre in non-profit environments. Print-Ed 2026 will feature provider of corrugated
Houghton Regis. ACPME vice-chair Ollie roundtables, hands-on dem- packaging and point-of-
The two-day event will Renshaw said: “In house cre- purchase solutions, has
expanded its digital print-
encompass peer led learning, ative and print teams across onstrations, and practical ing capabilities with a
technology insight, and sec- roundtable discussions on Domino X630i digital cor-
tor wide collaboration, with every sector are facing simi- workflow automation, sus- rugated press at its Hughes
web-to-print being a key lar pressures – automation, tainability, creative integra- Decorr facility in Concord,
topic. This year’s event will sustainability, skills, and tion, and the evolving role of Ontario. The installation
see ACPME evolve into the proving strategic value. in house print rooms. strengthens Planet Group’s ability to deliver high-quality,
full-colour digital corrugated packaging with greater speed
In house Creative & Print “Becoming ICPA allows us Print-Ed 2026 is free to and flexibility, supporting brands from concept to produc-
Alliance (ICPA), with the to support a much wider pro- attend and registration is tion. “The Domino X630i gives us the ability to offer high-
new identity said to reflect fessional community while open now. quality, full-colour digital printing directly on corrugated
with minimal setup time,” says Stephen Longmire, VP of
World Book Day goes ‘All In’ Sales, Hughes Decorr. “It allows us to help customers move
faster, reduce inventory, and maintain strong brand con-
sistency across programmes.”
It’s a bumper year for book The World Book Day char- Literacy Trust first asked the Mimaki Europe has sup-
appreciation as World Book ity exists to help children question in 2005. As part of ported renowned Italian
Day 2026 takes place during embrace reading through the National Year of Reading, sportswear brand, Erreà in
upgrading its digital textile
the National Year of Reading, events and experiences. It organisers are drawing atten- printing operations with
with organisers encouraging works with 4,000 bookshops tion to reading for pleasure the installation of seven
and encouraging children to
people to ‘Go All In’ on read- and retailers and 1,400 librar- ‘Go All In’ to embrace choice high-performance Mimaki
systems. The new installa-
ies and has given out two mil-
ing for fun. World Book Day lion £1 books to date. Just one and enjoy reading on their tion includes three
is an annual global celebra- in three children and young passions and interests, Tiger600-1800TS industrial
tion of reading that sees chil- people said they enjoyed whether it be music, football dye-sublimation printers and four TS330-1600 solutions,
replacing a previous fleet of 28 digital printers. This major
dren dress up as characters reading in 2025, the lowest or baking, and on their own upgrade marks a significant step forward in Erreà’s produc-
from their favourite book. level since the National terms. tion strategy, enabling the company to streamline its print-
ing infrastructure while improving efficiency, colour con-
2026 Rising Star Awards open sistency and overall production control. Erreà undertook a
comprehensive review of its printing setup to support the
next phase of its industrial development.
The Printing Charity’s to undertake the right train-
Rising Star Awards have ing and development to con- LEONHARD KURZ (‘KURZ’), global leader in thin-film tech-
opened for the 2026 tinue the momentum of nology and surface finishing, has installed a BOBST NOVAFOIL
106 H hot-stamping machine at its Application Technology
scheme. The awards, which their career trajectory. Department (AWETA) in Fürth, Germany. The installation,
are now in their 17th year, This year, the awards are coinciding with the 55th anniversary of BOBST’s first hot
provide young people pro- open for people aged 18-35, transfer stamping machine, strengthens a twenty-year
gressing a career in print, partnership between the two companies and empowers
paper, packaging, graphics with the extended age range KURZ to test transfer products under production-grade con-
or publishing with the The Printing Charity’s awards – the previous upper limit ditions identical to those used by customers worldwide.
opportunity to invest in was 30 – designed to support Customers benefit greatly from this partnership, as KURZ
training and development to Award winners receive up those who have made a and BOBST can provide proven end-to-end solutions that
build skills and capabilities to £1,500 in funding, which career pivot to join the sec- combine hot-stamping machines with perfectly matched
to support their career. does not have to be repaid, tor. transfer products.

www.printweekmena.com March 2026 PrintWeek MENA 23