Delegates to August’s New Zealand Single Width Users Group have a full programme ahead including two plant visits and an address by a European heatset expert.

The event is being held at the Chateau on the Park in Christchurch, from August 15-16.

Among key speakers is Michael Zenke, Sun Chemical’s heatset and publishing Europe product director. He will discuss the European heatset/coldset market and trends there. Zenke (pictured) joined Sun in 1994 and has held a variety of positions including laboratory manager, technical director and technical service manager. He holds a PhD in chemistry and physics from Goethe University in Frankfurt.

Another highlight is a presentation from former All Blacks rugby star Todd Blackadder during SWUG NZ’s annual awards dinner, which is the climax of the conference’s first day. Blackadder played for the All Blacks 25 times including 14 as captain, and at lock for the Crusaders.

After a career which included captaincy of the Crusaders Super 12 and Canterbury provincial teams, and playing for Nelson Bay in 1990, he continued to play professionally in Scotland as the captain of the Edinburgh Gunners.

Speakers during the Wednesday business programme also include Joan Grace of Print NZ, Fairfax Media’s Mike Conroy (on OH&S in the print world), Sue Archibald of Pride in Print, DS Chemport’s James Ackland (press chemistry) and Jenny Styles of NAB with a review of newspapers in NZ and abroad.

The afternoon includes a visit to the new Fairfax print site which prints ‘The Press’. Plant includes a recently-commissioned Goss Uniliner press and Ferag mailroom.

Thursday’s programme includes a DRUPA overview from SWUG committee member Ian Gibson, Bottcher’s Mitch Mulligan on roller maintenance and settings, Ian Lewis of Arcon on colour perception and prepress, Fujifilm’s Graham Blackwall on digital technology, and Matt Sharkady of Goss International on press installations around the world. Guest speaker is Sue Lindsay, and Gary Cassidy of Norske Skog will discuss health and safety issues, before the programme concludes with a question and answer session and ‘conference wrap’ from SWUG chairman Dan Blackbourn.

Finally delegates will travel to Ashburton for a tour of the Guardian Print plant and a networking dinner at the Lake House.

• More information from Dan Blackbourn, visit the website or email Dan.Blackbourn@apnprint.co.nz