The Federal Government has revealed its approved suppliers for the new $220m print procurement strategy throughout 12 government agencies, which includes 79 suppliers in printing and production services, four in print management services, seven in warehousing and distribution and 70 in creative and design services.

The buffeting the global print industry suffered in the latter half of last year has been reflected in the latest set of figures from merchanting giant PaperlinX. The company’s merchanting sales for the six months to December 09 fell across the board, with Australian, New Zealand, European and North American operations showing double digit declines, making a volumes increase in Asia the only bright spot for the company.

Expressions of interest are being sought from NSW printers to join a Printing Industries subcommittee to develop a print procurement model that may suit NSW Government needs.

PMP suffered big revenue drops in its print, distribution and premedia divisions in the six months to December 2009, with Group operating revenue dropping 9.5 per cent to $645.4m in the first half of the 2009-10 financial year. However the country’s biggest printer has turned around last year’s first half loss and is reporting a jump in net profit after tax to $13.7m, compared to the $11.2m loss in the first half of 2008-09.

The country’s biggest paper merchant Australian Paper is building its environmental portfolio with its Saxton brand of speciality uncoated paper set to become carbon neutral from March 1.

Carmel Tebbutt, NSW deputy premier and minister for health will be the guest speaker at Printing Industries first CEO lunchtime Forum for 2010.