Past weeks have seen a flurry of activity in the UK screen and digital printing sector: the Sign and Digital exhibition; DSPA rebranding to Prism; PrintIT Awards; and preparations for Drupa. I can safely say that in this industry, nothing stands still for long.

Two years of development and beta site feedback have culminated in the re-launch of AB Graphic's Omega sabre eXtreme digital laser workflow system, which provides an electronic converting solution for digitally printed webs and eliminates the need for rotary tooling. Operation has been enhanced with a new user interface, faster operating speed and improved cutting accuracy.

European Membrane Switch Symposium 2008 is a one day conference providing printers and manufacturers with information on the latest technologies for membrane switch and industrial graphics manufacture. The event, which will take place in Germany on 6 November, will recognise the functional, aesthetic and integration advantages of membrane switches with a series of presentations covering market trends and  best practice in production.

During its open house on 12, 13 and 14 June, Adelco will be demonstrating the Kornit direct on garment digital printer. Visitors are asked to confirm when they will be attending.

First time investors and current users looking to upgrade their computer-to-screen system are invited to attend CTS and Digital Workflow 2008. This two day conference will provide printers with the latest technologies for computer-to-screen applications as well as helping them to achieve a better digital workflow.

Yorkshire-based screen and large format digital printer, Bluetree, has invested £1.5million in new premises, infrastructure and technology. The move will enhance its ability to meet point of sale requirements with larger digital print product runs.

Printers are experiencing increased pressure to become Chain of Custody certified, which is why McNaughton has extended its seminar programme with a workshop covering the audit process in detail.

Promotional merchandise and carrier-bag specialist, Kan-do-it, has launched a new range of jute bags featuring a fully bio-degradable plastic lining. The launch mirrors trends in the promotional products industry, which continues to move towards eco-friendly products.

B-Print is celebrating its tenth anniversary with Will Skelchy at the helm, during which time it has grown from a small screen printing business to a major UK point of sale and display provider offering a range of digital, litho and screen printing services to the major retail groups.

Illustrating its commitment to developing the next generation of graphic arts professionals, Roland DG has announced the winners of its inaugural Roland Academy Inter-School Challenge. The final design will now be produced in large format to adorn banners on the perimeter of the New Walsall College construction site.

A magnetic graphic display system developed by large format graphics producer, Leach Colour, has received the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2008. The award was given in the Innovation category for the company's Stik system, which is used in retail stores, car showrooms, commercial interiors and heritage sites in the UK and abroad.

Delegates who attended PrintLondon's workshop on Winning Public Sector Contracts were treated to an insider view of how public sector buyers select winning tenders.

Now in its third year, the PrintIT! Initiative has selected Alex Robertson of Bispham High School and Arts College, Blackpool, as overall winner of PrintIT! 2007/8. The winning entry was selected from the eight category winners in a competition which registered more than 23,000 participating students from over 570 schools.

Alcan Composites and Robert Horne Sign and Display have teamed up to launch an auditable recycling scheme for Dibond ACM panels. The initiative, which complies with Alcan's ISO 14001 certification, will result in as much as 99.9 per cent of material being re-used.

Poor service support from commercial suppliers business to business, has a much more dramatic effect, fast moving companies can ill afford to receive poor levels of service from their commercial partners. Poor service generates a significant amount of wasted time within any company, from time spent chasing up incorrectly supplied or damaged goods to the amount of time taken by accounting departments to issue and re-issue invoices or credit notes, as we all know time is money.

When preparing to write a feature, it's amazing how white an empty page or screen can be to a dyslexic like me. It's difficult to believe how liberating the keyboard is. When writing by hand the pen just won't go where the brain wants it to, while reading is sometimes like a slow motion landslide of words. So why the revelations?

It's no surprise we are seeing an increase in new equipment to keep pace with trends. One company at the forefront of developments is Seal Graphics whose new range of products is designed to provide a more efficient way to do business.

Noriphan HTR screen printing ink is designed for the film insert moulding technique. It can be back printed on  polycarbonate films, such as Makrofol and PC-blend films such as Bayfol.

Meech International will be showing a range of static control solutions including the Series 1000 web cleaner. Combining static eliminators, brushes and a vacuum dust collection system, the Series 1000 system ensures dust contamination is eliminated and the risk of further dust attraction is minimised.

DPLenticular is presenting its range of Lenstar lenticular products for digital printing applications, including its 40LPI product range.

Heraeus is exhibiting its range of UV lamps, with visitors offered the opportunity to ask technical experts how the lamps can be used to improve their UV curing process. Heraeus Amba's Carolyn Harvey said: "For Heraeus Amba, a UV curing lamp is not just a lamp, it is an important part of our customers' productivity and success."

Gandinnovations is unveiling its new NanoJet UV true flatbed digital printer which is  specifically designed to print photorealistic outputs using 24 Spectra print heads. Equipped with a silicone nozzle plate, this 15plit head is specifically designed to deliver high resolution droplets.

Tecna UK showcased TBeam, designed to create small plinths, pods and light boxes. Claimed to be the strongest, most durable and easiest to transport system, TBeam is available off-the-shelf and comes complete in a bag: just apply graphics.

Cumbria's award-winning vehicle graphics, sign and print specialist, AstSigns, has invested in Roland DG wide format technology. The 30-employee company holds the contracts for national hauliers including Eddie Stobart.

Fairfield's stand was designed to show signmakers how they can use suspended cable/rod systems, new signage systems and digital screens.

HP announced an expanded portfolio of large-format printing technologies and solutions including latex printing technologies, five new super-wide-format industrial printers and a new facility in Caesarea, Israel, for the innovation and manufacturing of HP Scitex products.

After listening to the common interests and requirements of its customers, printMAX has announced the printMAX Community. The scheme is designed to help small and large businesses alike benefit from sharing their machines and in-house print/finishing capabilities so they never have to turn down another job.

Epson demonstrated its Stylus Pro GS6000, a 64in large format printer with an eight-colour ink set. The machine is designed to offer the widest colour gamut in a printer designed for both indoor and outdoor applications. Colourgen is distributing the Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 in the UK.

Océ presented a roll media option for its Arizona 250 GT, designed to allow roll-based printing of flexible media for banners, point-of-sale displays, backlit graphics, paper-based posters and fabric panels. The option can be shipped with new orders or added in-field. Existing Arizona 250 GT units can be upgraded without hardware modification.

Atomic Media & Display launched a direct sales initiative for its Clustarack media storage units. Supported by its promo video, Clusta Chaos, playing on rotation via large screen on the stand, the company exceeded double the targeted sales for the show.

As prism business manager, I hope to answer your questions and explain how initiatives in the new membership package will benefit members and the industry as a whole.

Welcome to the second issue of Plastics and Board which I trust you will find both useful and enjoyable. It seems only a moment ago that I was welcoming you to the first issue and before you know it we shall be completing the September magazine.

Plastoreg has entered a new era, with founders Margitte and Hans-Dieter Smidt handing over active management to Hubertus Rohe (standard division) and to their son Uwe Smidt (bespoke business). The company has also been sold to Asia File Products, located in Penang, Malaysia.

BHM has partnered with The Gilman Brothers Co to distribute its products in Europe. North American-based Gilman manufacturers foamboard products for signage, display and graphics. BHM holds stocks in Ireland for European supply.

Following this reorganization, Alkor Draka b.v. is now part of the Brazilian Vulcan Group (http://www.vulcan.com/). This partnership will strengthen their ongoing commitment to quality and customer care, building on the 50 years of expertise within the Stationery and Technical Film markets.

R. H. Plastics Technology has supplied a six station high-frequency welder to an Egyptian company based in Alexandria. The machine is fully operational producing a range of medical products. The client has been impressed by the machine's performance to date and further orders for new G.E.A.F. medical machines are being considered. R. H. Plastics Technology also has a further six major machinery projects running for the Middle East.

Dufaylite used a recent exhibition to highlight its range of ultra lightweight boards which suit flat bed digital printers. Honeycomb board is designed to offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, ideal for lightweight, rigid board applications like suspended or wall-mounted signs. The honeycomb also imparts load-bearing properties so the material can be used in PoP and PoS units. 

MacDermid Autotype has launched a hard coated polyester film specially designed to offer antimicrobial protection for hospital surfaces. The film, SIGMAGraF Shield AM, combines Microban antimicrobial technology with industrial-strength protection against solvents and cleaning chemicals. In addition, the material can provide impact and abrasion resistance above ordinary laminates, ensuring all surfaces and signage remain protected for both patients and staff at all times.

Sirio Color is claimed to be one of the most comprehensive ranges of coloured, embossed and textured paper and boards, offering over 180 differing colour, weight and textured options. Fedrigoni UK has announce a swatch highlighting the Sirio Color portfolio.

Rose Plastic's ScrewPack features a fixed-length protective postal tube with screw closure for maximum product protection. It is available in different lengths, ranging from A4 landscape to AO size. This entry level product provides affordable packaging and protection for documents of all fixed sizes.