Nulab owner Michael Warshall has won the 2017 ProPrint Power 50, taking out the top spot for his work with HP Indigo to develop digital printing to the same level as silver halide photo printing.
Warshall – an industrial chemist by training – has been working with Indigo scientists in Israel for the past three years to take the printing to the place he wanted it to be, and developing a new ink in the process, and a new lay flat photo book. His innovations will be felt around the world.
Second spot went to influential print and paper advocate Kellie Northwood, chief executive of lobby group Two Sides Australia, Northwood receiving the votes for her tireless work in promoting print, in various ways to politicians, corporations and the media, and achieving real results.
Coming in at number three was Ken Williams, CEO of Excel Australasia, which has a highly automated and rapidly growing digital print business, and a global software business producing mobile and web solutions.
[Related: Nulab wins 8 US awards]
In fourth spot was Peter George, for whom the night of the event was his final day in the industry, and who was recognised for his work in integrating the PMP and IPMG businesses, aligning supply with demand, and for seeing the company’s share price during his five year tenure at the top climb steadily up by four times from its floor of 18c.
Rounding out the top five was Whirlwind owner Andrew Cester, for his constant innovation at the trade printer, which this year included buying Australia’s first MGI digital embellishment system, so opening up whole new value add opportunities for printers.
Just outside the top five were digitalpress owner Theo Pettaras, just retired Fairfax print director Bob Lockly, executive chairman of IVE Geoff Selig, managing director of Focus Print Mark Shergill, and first time entrants the Jamie and Jason Xuereb, co-owners of wide format trade printer Mediapoint.
Wayne Robinson, editor of ProPrint says, “Congratulations to everyone in the 2017 Power 50. The print industry needs forward looking people who are not happy with the status quo and are prepared to back themselves. They are the people tasking the industry forward.”
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