Above: Keith Ferrel
The Lithographic Institute of Australia (LIA) will host an exclusive tour of Cactus Imaging’s premises in Sydney next month.
Hosted by the LIA NSW branch, the tour will take place from 5.15pm to 6.45pm on Tuesday 27 February 2024, followed by dinner at the Silverwater Hotel.
Based in Silverwater, Cactus Imaging is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost digital printing companies, housing one of the largest grand format production plants in the Asia Pacific region, complete with state-of-the-art equipment.
“We invite the industry to join the LIA for what we believe will be a unique opportunity to have a close look at one of the biggest large format sites in Australia,” said Mitch Mulligan, LIA NSW committee member, and managing director of Böttcher Australia.
Keith Ferrel, co-founder and general manager – operations, Cactus Imaging, said he is thrilled to host the LIA NSW plant tour, with attendees set to see many world firsts at the Silverwater site.
“We are proud of what we have achieved over the years, and we continue to invest in the world’s best large format equipment,” Ferrel said.
“Attendees will see many world firsts in print and finishing equipment. Printers ranging from speeds of 400sqmtrs per hour to more than 700sqmtrs per hour at very high quality, and finishing equipment designed to keep up with the print speeds will be on show at our state-of-the-art facility.”
In June 2023, Cactus Imaging became the first in the southern hemisphere to install the Durst 10-channel P5 350 HS D4 hybrid press, as well as the first in the local market to install the FUJIFILM Acuity R2 LED five-metre roll-to-roll machine in November 2023.
Last year Ferrel, who co-founded Cactus Imaging more than 30 years ago, was named runner up in the 2023 ProPrint Awards, formerly known as the Power 50, after taking out the top spot in 2022.
He is currently on the board of FESPA Australia, has been elected to the FESPA Hall of Fame, and in 2014 was awarded the FESPA World Printer of the Year. In 2021, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Print Awards for services to the print industry.
LIA represents Australia on the technical committee covering graphic technology of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), with members involved in design, advertising, multimedia, pre-press, and all forms of printing and visual communication.
With the support of long-term partner Heidelberg ANZ, LIA also conducts annual Graduate of the Year Awards in each state.
Bookings for the Cactus Imaging tour and dinner close at 5pm on Friday 23 February 2024. For more information, contact secretary.nsw.lia.com.au.
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