Parallel import debate: battle of the petitions and the price comparisons
Hitting back at the Dymocks petition launched last week, Australians for Australian Books (an umbrella group comprising the APA, Australian Society of Authors, Printing Industries Australia and the Australian Literary...
Australian book trade critical of PC draft report
As reported in a WBN special bulletin on Friday, the Productivity Commission has recommended that some of Australia's ‘parallel importation restrictions' (PIRs) be retained, but that the current 90-day rule...
OPUS Print Group acquires CanPrint and Union
The OPUS Print Group, formerly Knox Print Media Group, parent company of Ligare book printers, has announced it has ‘joined forces' with Canberra-based print companies CanPrint Communications and Union Offset...
PMP to cut jobs
Printer PMP Limited, parent company of Griffin Press, will shut down a press in Adelaide and a second printing plant in Brisbane. PMP said the decision was part of a...
Evans leaves PMP
Brian Evans has left PMP Limited, owner of PMP Print, after three years as CEO of the company. PMP chairman Graham Reaney said that he ‘thanked Evans for his contribution...
In brief
BNZ Katherine Mansfield Short Story Award winners announcedThe winners of the BNZ Katherine Mansfield Awards for 2008 have been announced. The Awards celebrate New Zealand short stories. The Premier Award...
Tibet objections force atlas to print in Hong Kong
Earth, the new out-sized atlas from Millennium House, has been printed in Hong Kong to avoid a possible embargo by China, Millennium House managing director Gordon Cheers told WBN. Cheers...
Chinese printer refuses Tibet book
A Chinese printer has refused to print Putting Queensland on the Map by Felicity Jack for UNSW Press because it mentions the China-Tibet border. The book contains just a single line which...
Printers oppose changes to parallel importation
The Printing Industries Association of Australia has joined the Australian Publishers Association (APA) and the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) in opposing the removal of parallel importation restrictions. Printing Industries...
Melburnians to make hardcovers easier and cheaper
Three Melburnians have patented a new book-binding technique intended to make hardcovers more affordable. Called ‘Roylebind', the method involves ‘pre-formed laminated cases that can be printed and embellished and made...
In brief
Gillard flags national IR planThe federal government is acting on a pre-election pledge to implement a national industrial relations platform for employees of private companies. Federal Workplace Relations Minister Julia...
In brief
'Careless' wins Colin Roderick AwardCareless by Deborah Robertson (Picador) is the winner of this year's Colin Roderick Award for the best Australian book of the year. The prize, worth $10,000...
Griffin Press receives FSC certification
Griffin Press has announced its certification by FSC Australia. As part of the International Forest Stewardship Council, FSC Australia is designed to ensure the responsible management of the world's forests...
In brief
Scott, Manhire and Farrell win NZ Prime Minister's literary awards Historian Dick Scott, poet Bill Manhire and novelist Fiona Farrell are the 2007 winners of the New Zealand Prime Minister's...
Harry’s printer reports strong year
PMP, the parent company of book publisher Griffin Press, is ‘in a much stronger position that it was three years ago, and better equipped to face ongoing challenges,' according to...
Workers strike at PMP’s Brisbane plant
Workers at the Brisbane plant of printer PMP held a two-day strike last week, over what Australian Manufacturing Workers Union spokesperson Danny Dougherty told ABC Online was ‘the failure of...
Ligare, Southwood to merge
Australia's third-largest book printer Ligare has announced it will merge with Southwood Press Book Printers. The merger, which will officially take place on Monday 8 October, comes after a proposed...
ACCC opposes Griffin/McPherson’s merger
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) last Wednesday announced its opposition to the proposed merger between McPherson's Printing and Griffin Press. ‘The proposed joint venture is likely to substantially...
Ligare appoints new CEO
Ligare Book Printers, Australia's third largest book printer, has announced the appointment of Cliff Brigstocke, formerly of international outsourcing business Bunzl Limited, as CEO. ‘Cliff joins Ligare with a strong...
FSC launches Publishers, Printers and Paper Network
The launch of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)'s Publishers, Printers and Paper (PPP) Network in Melbourne in 5 July was a sell-out, attracting 130 attendees, according to organisers.'We were very...