Following a day of R&R, which included the Inaugural Presidents Cup Golf Tournament on the resorts spectacular par 69 course overlooking the Jamison Valley, and a welcome BBQ, Richard Neville, co-founder of the Australian Futures Foundation, opened the sessions by examining the many possible ways of approaching the future. Of particular interest was his critique of the current environmental sustainability of the industry in light of threatened government regulation. His message was underscored by both Tim Rogers of the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, and Tony Wilkins, News Limited Environmental Secretariat manager.
Bruce Guthrie of Icon Business Solutions discussed ways to innovate everyday business processes, who was then followed by Glenn Plummer of Heidelberg, who illustrated how business can be done better by taking a long hard look at the efficiencies of the printroom floor. Arthur Williamson from APIS Business Services dealt with what he believes will be the training needs of the industry over the next decade and beyond, backing up his points with some eye-opening industry trends and figures. In a similar vein, Gavin Farley of Leadership Management Australia plotted out ways to get effective results from training.
Visitors were then treated to a series of afternoon workshops, which covered such areas as WorkCover compliance, Performance, Education and Training, Environmental Economics, and How to Improve Business through Benchmarking.
After a day of challenging the delegates, attention was turned to recognising those businesses who already lead the field In the three core areas of business practice, education and training, and environmental practice, with the inaugural PrintNSW Business Awards, which took place after dinner.
The finalists for the three categories were JS McMillan Printing Group, The SOS Printing Group, and Fuji Graphic Systems Australia (Best in Business Practice);
Anzpac Services Australia, JS McMillan Printing Group, KwikKopy Group, and Penfold Buscombe (Best in Education and Training); and Anzpac Services Australia, Focus Press, and JS McMillan Printing Group (Best in Environmental Practices).
The Best in Business Practices award was presented by Glen Plummer on behalf of sponsor Heidelberg Australia to JS McMillan Printing Group. The company was recognised due to its participation in the PrintNet Benchmarking Online service and other international benchmarking projects, for utilising a range of business diagnostic tools to service customers, and achieving ISO 9002 quality accreditation. These have enabled high customer retention and strong business growth over the past 12 months.
The Best in Environmental Initiatives award was presented by Ian Winters on behalf of sponsor Paperlinx to Focus Press, for its multiple initiatives in implementing environmentally sound printing practices. The Best in Education and Training award, presented by Gavin Farley on behalf of sponsor Leadership Management Australia, went to Anzpac Services Australia. Judges noted that Anzpac “have adopted a comprehensive education and training programme for employees at all levels of the organisation. The programme captures people as they enter Anzpac, there is a range of documentation that accompanies the employee’s progress and it is monitored and checked rigorously.”
Also recognised during the evening were companies that have displayed a long-term commitment to the PIAA. Brown Printers of Hoxton Park, and McClintock Brothers of Meadowbank received 50 Year Awards, while D Vilensky Paper Merchants, McPherson Binding, SB Jarvis Printing Services, SOS Print Media Group, Tony Wolf Printers and Planet Press all received 25 Year Awards.
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