The winner, Frank Greenhalgh will travel to Thailand as part of his prize for coming out on top from a competitive group of seven nominees.

DuPont’s Frank Brokken presided over the awards and said the qualities required from the winning apprentice were wide ranging: “The winner needs strong personal qualities and values and a sound understanding of the flexo printing process and industry in general.”

The chief judge, Roger Fairley said that the quality of applicants was the best the judges had ever seen: “It’s no easy task, given the high calibre of apprentices we have here tonight.”

2002 winner Nigel Hayes received a trip to the United States as part of his prize and he reported back on his tour of DuPont’s Wilmington operation and plant visits in the United States, where the technology clearly impressed him. After racking his brain for a few moments, he also recalled that ’Hooters’ was the name of one of the restaurants he was taken to for dinner during his visit.

This year’s awards dinner was a gala affair, attracting around 150 guests who enjoyed the buffet dinner and conviviality at the Sheraton. The event also served as a forum to explain the relationship between DuPont and Frontline Graphic Systems and Esko-Graphics. Representatives of all three companies – Frank Brokken from DuPont, Craig Paul from Frontline and Peter Henderson from Esko-Graphics gave presentations before the awards.

Clearly the future of flexo is in good hands and guests are looking forward to another fine evening in a years’ time.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter