Printing Industries and the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) have hosted a Bridge the Gap breakfast to connect industry with academics.
A variety of speakers from different scientific fields, including physics and chemistry, spoke to a packed room at the Rydges Parramatta about what their technologies could do for the printing sector, and how industry could access funding from government to partner with academia on research and development projects.
The event was the brainchild of Dr Don McCallum, development manager at NSSN, and James Cryer of JDA Print Recruitment. “It is very hard in our industry to put our minds to inventing and innovating, because the pressure is to keep the presses running and the customers happy rather than messing around with new ideas,” said Cryer. “Printing companies have such incredible time pressures that they might not have time to invest in innovation.”
Despite this, the grants on offer from government will help printers who want to push the envelope, says Cryer. “It’s a reminder not to give up – now there’s someone prepared to pay for your exertion, there’s an incentive to innovate,” he said.
Andrew Macaulay, CEO PIAA, was pleased with the event, and looks forward to planning similar meetups across Australia. “It’s been a terrific day, great dialogue with industry, and we intend to repeat it in other states,” said Macaulay. “I didn’t hear a single speaker who didn’t have relevance to the print sector. There were ideas that would increase the efficiency and productivity of any printer in the country.”
Jake Nelson, “Printers meet thinkers in Parramatta.” Print21, 17 Oct. 2018, https://print21.com.au/printers-meet-thinkers-in-parramatta/164778