Ailing Sydney printer The Printing Department has been bought out of administration this week by former owner James Becker, however a former employee of the printer says around half of the staff could lose their jobs in order to keep the business afloat.

Industry icon William (Bill) Moore has passed away aged 80. Bill Moore – who was chairman of industry equipment supplier Aldus Engineering – was farewelled at a memorial service, which was attended by scores of industry representatives.

A creditors meeting yesterday revealed business forms printer Paragon Printing, currently in administration, owes millions of dollars in unpaid bills and staff entitlements, with $4m of it to paper merchants alone.

A Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) is required before the new Australian Packaging Covenant goes ahead the Packaging Council of Australia (PCA) has advised. The Council adds that while this is not a bad thing, it seems unlikely the Covenant will be up and running by the July 1 deadline.

Ferrostaal New Zealand has reached an agreement with USA company Kompac to supply a range of its products, including its finishing machines, to the New Zealand market.