Forum Sponsors Green Print and Packaging Programme Initiative

The Print and Packaging Forum is pleased to announce that it will be participating in a resource efficiency programme funded under the EPA’s Green Business Initiative.  The programme, which is confidential to all participating companies, will provide free resource efficiency assessments and advice to members of the Print and Packaging Forum.

 

Background Information

The EPA funded Greenbusiness Initiative carried out several Resource Efficiency Assessments over the past few years in the Print and Packaging sector, in which significant savings were identified. The sector’s Print and Packaging Forum will progress with a sector specific resource efficiency programme.

Forum Promotes Companies to Join the Programme

Five businesses have been recruited to the programme to date.

Tenders

The Print and Packaging Forum congratulate Enterprise Ireland on the work that they are now undertaking with their client firms in relation to tenders.

We encourage non-EI firms to consider  registering on tenders.ie. This will allow the opportunity for all to be notified of any appropriate tenders that are posted to tenders.ie.

Examples of recent tenders are available by clicking on the links below.

http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT276875

http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/Search_View.aspx?id=NOV290275

http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/Search_View.aspx?id=NOV291455

http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC293797

http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/Search_View.aspx?id=DEC294555

Print and Packaging Forum Develops Five Year Strategy

The Print and Packaging Forum last week proposed a draft five year strategy. The strategy contained ongoing issues central to training and development, competitiveness and procurement. In addition to this the matter of overcapacity in the sector is at the forefront of the plan. The draft document which is now published amongst out members for consultation will be finalised and formally launched on the 10th anniversary of the Forum in May 2012.

In the mean time the Forum are continuing their work on day-t0-day matters and addressing issues as they arise. We will be launching our new website shortly which will be used as a promotion tool for the Forum as well as advertising our Print Irish Brand Members.

Colorman Host Visit of Minister John Perry, TD.

John Perry, TD, Minister for Small Business reaffirmed his commitment to the print and packaging sector during a site visit to Colorman Ireland earlier this week. Speaking at the visit organised by the Print and Packaging Forum, Minister Perry commended Colorman Managing Director Clare Nixon on the fantastic business they had built acknowledging the high level of employment there. During the tour Minister Perry reviewed the range of very current technology and best practice. 

Minister John Perry, TD, Presents Worldwide First to Clondalkin Pharma and Healthcare

John Perry TD, Minister for Small Business today awarded PS9000:2011 which is the newest pharmaceutical standard for industries supplying the pharmaceutical sector to Clondalkin Pharma and Healthcare at their Cherry Orchard plant in Dublin.

The meeting which was a follow up by the Print and Packaging Forum to their Red Cow event was attended by Forum members. At the Red Cow event launching the industries latest report Minister Perry signaled that he would like to visit firms to get a sense for the sector.

Print Irish Brand Licensing Agreement

Following the relaunch of the Print Irish Brand a roll-out will commence this week. Licensing Agreement for the use of the Print Irish Brand is outlined below. A direct marketing campaign will be used and firms will be contacted over the coming weeks. Firms interested in obtaining a license should  contact director@printpackforum.com.

Print Irish Licensing Agreement and Rates are as follows:

Print Media Apprenticeship – Applications Open for Sponsor Firms

The Print and Packaging Forum are currently encouraging firms to sponsor an apprentice. College commences provisionally on Monday, January 9th. FAS are currently accepting registrations. Details on apprenticeship are below.

What is the difference between this apprenticeship and the old system?
The new apprentice receives a full training in all aspects of print media. The key difference is flexibility and rounded learning. The print media technician is qualified to work in all areas of production and as such can move with production requirements. This flexibility does not prohibit a decision by the employer that the apprentice should specialise in one part of print media to suit the employer needs.

My firm only does some elements of print media –am I eligible to recruit?
Yes, where an employer has had difficulty with some on-the-job elements of training the Print Forum and FAS have assisted in the temporary placement with an alternative firm to cover off on the deficit.

Print Irish Brand – Re-Launched

The Print and Packaging Forum are pleased to announce the re-launch of the Print Irish Brand. The re-launch took place at the Red Cow Hotel on Wednesday 28th September 2011. The event was attended by representatives of over eighty firms in the sector.

Draft Guidelines for use of Print Irish Logo which are to encourage the use and promotion of Irish suppliers  are as follows:

Minister for Small Business, John Perry T.D., launched ‘a report on the print Industry’s review of its own performance’

Published  by the Print and Packaging Industry Forum at an event in the Red Cow Hotel on Wednesday 28th September.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Perry said: “The publication of this Report provides the Print and Packaging industry a road map for the way ahead. I would like to acknowledge and commend the many achievements and initiatives of the Print and Packaging Forum, including the development of a broad range of training and education initiatives, from apprenticeships to programmes pitched at Masters Level.

“The development of the ‘Print Irish’ brand identity by the Forum, to demonstrate the quality and capabilities of our indigenous Irish printing industry, is another encouraging development. This is exactly the kind of initiative that we in Government like to work with and I would like to assure you that we will provide any assistance we can.

“Unprecedented challenges were created for Irish companies by the domestic and international economic crises. In spite of these challenges the Print and Packaging industry still employs over 10,000 people.

Forum Report Launched by John Perry, TD, Minister for Small Business

A report on the Print and Packaging Industry in Ireland that was compiled and sponsored by the Print and Packaging Forum will be promoted and launched by John Perry TD, Minister for Small Business at a Print and Packaging Forum conference on Wednesday 28^th September at the Red Cow Hotel, Naas Road Dublin at 2pm.

In addition to this there will be a series of presentations on training and development for the sector. The Print Irish initiative and brand created by the Forum will also be relaunched on the day.

For further details contact Dr. Kevin Byrne, Director, Print and Packaging Forum. director@printpackforum.com or telephone 085 228 8098