Offset Alpine won sixteen awards in total, seven of them Gold while Momento Pro was also a big winner with four Gold and two Bronze Awards. Momento picked up Gold in the categories Limited Edition, Digitally Printed Books, Digital Printing – Non-Inkjet and Digital Printing Inkjet. Momento printed books that won both the Australian Book of the Year and the Book of the Year Awards at the Galley Awards last week, the first time an Aussie Printer has won the Book of the Year gong.

Craig Dunsford, general manager, Offset Alpine told Australian Printer “We are delighted that the hard work and commitment from our staff has been recognised in this way. Events such as the PICA’s bring the printing industry together and help to push continual improvement.”

Dunsford says, “As an industry we need to be the best we possibly can to compete with offshore competitors and to also keep print as a highly attractive communication option for our clients. “

He says the key to the printing industry is hard work, a commitment to staff training, technology research and investment as well as an ongoing understanding of present and future customer needs.

Geoff Hunt, managing director, Momento Pro told Australian Printer, “We are thrilled. We’ve always tried to position ourselves at the premium end of the print-on-demand market, and the PICA and Galley Club awards are recognition that the effort pays off.”

Momento has 35 full-time staff, but for the months of November to January total about 45 by bringing in casuals, Hunt says, “As we are still fairly new to the printing industry, these events are a good way for us to meet other printers and finishers.”

The inaugural winner of the Media Super Future Leaders Award was Stuart Auld, sustainability manager at PMP. The other finalists were Damien Potter from Bright Print Group, Wetherill Park, Patrick Dallimore of Central Commercial Printers, Bathurst and Carl Butchard from Geon Print and Communication Solutions.

Bill Healey, CEO, Printing Industries told Australian Printer, “The overall quality of the entries and the innovation shown in many others is tangible evidence that there will be a continuing place for print in the multi-channel communication world of the future.”

Healey says he was pleased to see a number of new companies being recognised for their efforts, he says, “I think the broad range of winners was a feature of this year’s Awards.”

Australian comedian Julia Morris hosted the Awards. Healey says, “I think people had a fun time and this was certainly facilitated by the professionalism and appeal of Julia Morris who must now rate as the best MC in Australia.”

Les Baddock Book Binders is regarded as one of the pioneers of the book binding industry in Australia. A special Business Longevity Award in honour of Ron Baddock, who could not attend due to health reasons, was presented to his daughter, Lyn Bradfield. The company was founded in 1918 and has been a member of Printing Industries 92 years.

“The success of the evening results from the planning and hard work of Printing Industries staff and the support of our sponsors.” Healey concludes.

Full List of Winners:

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