News


FESPA launches new foundation to promote sustainable practices


FESPA has announced the launch of a new sister organisation, The FESPA Foundation. The group has been created as a way to encourage sustainable practices throughout the print and visual communications industry. Using the strapline ‘Print for Good’ the foundation will channel resources into community support and educational outreach programmes. Neil Felton, CEO of FESPA and founder of The


FESPA Foundation, said: “Through The FESPA Foundation, we can bring FESPA’s core values to life beyond our day-to-day work, encouraging practices that reduce waste and environmental impact while creating long-term value for communities.


“By creating the Foundation, we want to


harness the combined strength of our global exhibitor and visitor base and demonstrate how, together, we can channel the power of print to drive positive change globally.” The foundation has already revitalised Evane


Intermediate School, a rural centre serving 90 children in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, through a project overseen by associate Steve Thobela ka Mdlalose.


Fabrice Penhoat chosen for newly created director role


PPDS has appointed Fabrice Penhoat as its new business director Philips Signage and dvLED France, Dom Tom and Africa. The role has been newly created as a way to help the growth in the French and African markets. Mr Penhoat is a popular and valued member of the PPDS team, having started his career with the company back in 2015, joining as commercial director of Philips Signage.


Fabric Penhoat


Throughout his PPDS journey, his indisputable talents have continued to evolve and to be recognised by PPDS’ global management team,


earning him a succession of promotions, and gaining invaluable and unparalleled knowledge and experience working and operating in the French and African AV markets. He will now be responsible for the implementation and execution of PPDS’ accelerated sales and growth strategy in the region.


8 | April/May 2025


Liyu England expands X Line range


More options have been added to Liyu England’s X Line range, helping print professionals find the right fit for their business. Following the early February launch of the X Line


hybrid, the latest additions include an upgradable entry-level industrial flatbed printer, a high-precision digital cutter, and an eco-solvent roll printer – each offering reliability, versatility, and room to grow. Eddie Tucker, managing director of Liyu England, said: “These machines are built to help businesses enter the industrial large-format arena without the normal associated costs.


“Whether you need high-speed production, precision cutting, or an efficient eco-solvent solution, the X Line range delivers.” The new X Line flatbed printer is designed for high-volume production and focuses on precision and efficiency. The ‘Just Add Heads’ option means


X Line eco-solvent roll printer


businesses can start small and add up to 16 print heads.


The X Line digital cutter features an automatic camera positioning system to ensure accurate cutting. The new X Line eco-solvent roll printer’s four Epson i3200 print heads deliver sharp, high-quality prints with vibrant CMYK colours; ideal for everything from banners to vehicle wraps.


Matic Media rebrands as Graphic Warehouse


Matic Media Services has rebranded as Graphic Warehouse after a million-pound investment into a new facility and printing technology. Operating under its newly branded identity, the


company has completed the refurbishment of its new facility built with sustainability in mind. Investments worth £1.1 million have helped install


solar panels which generated 500kW of energy their first month of use. The new facility, requiring extensive refurbishment, now houses a Liyu Platinum Q3 wide-format printer, enhancing printing capabilities and enabling the company to handle a broader range of eco-friendly materials. All work and the move is to ensure faster


turnaround times while supporting Graphic Warehouse’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint.


Managing director, Richard McCombe, said: “These milestones mark a significant era for our business.


“The rebranding to Graphic Warehouse and the The new facility showing the rebrand


move to a more modern and sustainable facility reflect our dedication to leading the industry in both environmental stewardship and innovative customer solutions.”


Former PM announced as president of the Printing Charity


Former Prime Minister Teresa May has accepted the Printing Charity’s invitation to become its 2025 president.


Now a Member of the House of Lords, Baroness


May served as Prime Minister between 2016 and 2019, only the second woman to hold the office. Baroness May said: “Print plays a vitally important


part in ensuring that as many people as possible can have access to information they need to know. While the ways in which we receive information has proliferated over the years, I know through a long career in politics – and the many thousands of campaign leaflets I have delivered – the vital role that print plays, and will continue to play, in terms of getting a message across. I am therefore delighted to be the Printing Charity’s 2025 president.” The organisation has also appointed three new


trustees. Elenor Hamshire, Lance Hill and Donny McCormick, bring their expertise and experience in


Teresa May, the Rt Hon. the Baroness May of Maidenhead


finance, in-depth print industry knowledge, and welfare and safeguarding respectively to the board.


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