Franchise operation Worldwide Online has called in the administrators after 16 years of virtually non-stop growth. The independent franchisees, of which there are more than 80 in Australia, are not directly affected as they run independent operations.

Administrator McGrathNicol is offering for sale the business and assets of ailing print shops The Printing Department and Carbonbook, which went into voluntary administration last month. McGrathNicol is seeking non-binding indicative offers for the businesses.

Konica Minolta and Kodak Australasia will host a number of road shows in capital cities around Australia this month. The road shows will extend the partnership formed by Konica Minolta and Kodak Australasia at PacPrint in 2009.

Hannapak, who recently installed the first Roland 700 HiPrint in Australia, is opening its doors for a manroland hosted open house, which will allow visitors to see the new generation Roland in full operation firsthand.

The world’s largest web offset manufacturer manroland is negotiating the purchase of Swiss newspaper press maker Wifag, with the deal expected to be finalised later this year. No details have been given on the terms, which are likely to be favourable to manroland. Wifag’s turnover in 2008 was around CHF500m, (A$520m) but the 2009 figure is likely to be substantially reduced.

Visual communications franchiser MBE Business Service Centres has awarded outstanding franchisees’ performance across Australia and New Zealand. More than 40 franchises participated in the awards, with four accolades taken out by Konica Minolta clients for their achievements in sales, growth and overall business success.

Salmat’s profits were up 21.9 per cent to $24.3m in the first half of 2009-10 compared with $19.9m during the same period the year before. While the company reported total mail volumes were down four per cent, its Targeted Media Solutions division earnings increased by 40.5 per cent to $20.7m following strong outcomes from efficiency programmes and new business wins.

McPherson’s Limited’s book printing division experienced a $2.9m loss in sales revenue to $32.4m in the first half of 2009-10, which the company attributed to “the continuation of subdued market conditions, particularly with respect to professional reference publications”.

The first national, industry-wide audience measurement planning tool for outdoor media in Australia was launched this week. Move, (Measurement of Outdoor Visibility and Exposure), covers major formats and environments, including roadside billboards, posters, street furniture, railway stations, transit, shopping centres and airports, according to the Outdoor Media Association (OMA).

Gunns has reported a 98.7 per cent plummet in profits in its half year results to $400,000, compared with $22m in the second half of 2009. The troubled company says its woodfibre business was severely impacted by the strong Australian dollar and declining volumes.