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YORKSHIRE CELEBRATES SIGNIFICANT PRINT MILESTONE
Date Posted:
01 Mar 2010
Region secures six-figure funding to develop Printable Electronics
The print industry in Yorkshire and the Humber celebrated 500 years of print in the region when distinguished guests including Rt Hon. Rosie Winterton MP, Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber attended the Print Yorkshire Annual Dinner on Thursday (18th February).
Marking to the day 500 years since the first book was published in York, over 80 representatives from the printing industry attended the event held at Grays Court in the city.
As well as celebrating the history of print, the dinner looked to the future connecting print with emerging technologies within the digital and new media sector.
Print Yorkshire has recently helped to secure funding for projects with a total value over £350,000 from The Northern Way to research and develop Printable Electronics – a new industry championed by Lord Mandelson. Demonstrating its leading role within the region, Print Yorkshire announced details of this exciting collaboration project which signifies the potential future of the industry in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Printable Electronics, enabling print to become more interactive and engaging by incorporating electronic media, is an informative and educational tool with education, retail and entertainment amongst the sectors set to embrace the technology.
The dinner coincided with an exhibition featuring the ancient art of printing in York. The Directorium Sacerdotum, nicknamed ‘The Pica’ was showcased by local print firm Quacks who uncovered the anniversary and arranged for the historic book to be returned to its place of origin.
Robert McClements, PrintYorkshire Chief Executive, said: “The annual dinner truly celebrated a millennium of print. Not only 500 years of print retrospectively but why our region is perfectly placed to be at the forefront of the print industry for the next 500 years.
“I am delighted to have secured funding from the Northern Way enabling local firms to embrace printable electronics, a potentially lucrative technology, which will enable print to become more interactive and engaging.”
“With ongoing funding support from Yorkshire Forward in partnership with the BPIF, Print Yorkshire is committed to ensuring the print industry goes from strength to strength in the region. The skill and expertise of print firms in Yorkshire and the Humber is perfectly demonstrated by this project we are co-ordinating.”
Rosie Winterton, the Minister for Yorkshire and The Humber, said: "I am delighted to join Print Yorkshire to celebrate the 500th anniversary of printing in York.
"It shows the staying power of one of our region's key industries which continues to adopt the latest technologies to compete in today`s digital world - a perfect combination of tradition and modern technology. I wish Print Yorkshire success in exploiting the new opportunities printable electronics offers."
For further information please contact Robert Stebbings at Ptarmigan Bell Pottinger on 0113 237 2832 or email robert@ptarmiganpr.co.uk
Pictured with an ancient Albion press L-R: Rosie Winterton MP, Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber; Robert McClements, CEO Print Yorkshire; Victor Watson, President Print Yorkshire; Linda Pollard, Deputy Chair Yorkshire Forward
Notes to editors
Print Yorkshire aims to ensure that the Print and Printed Packaging Sector in Yorkshire and the Humber maintains its position as a major national player.
The print industry in Yorkshire makes a substantial £1.35 billion contribution to the region’s economy and provides employment directly for nearly 20,000 people.
Print Yorkshire aims to ensure that the industry continues to make that strong contribution and is recognised as the ‘voice’ of print both nationally and internationally.
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