Johnston Press has completed its acquisition of Local Press. The company has been acquired for 65m on a "cash and debt-free basis". The deal met all regulatory requirements and has been approved by the Irish Competition Authority.

Marlowe Graphics and Centurfax have celebrated their 10th and 25th anniversaries respectively, with the unveiling of new offices in Hockliffe, Bedfordshire. The new building incorporates a showroom, workshops and offices. The event was supported by Billows, ECRM, EFI, Global Graphics, Ipex, KBA UK, Ripware and X-rite.

MetaIFX Technology's metallic ink technology has been shortlisted for the New Product of the Year at the UK's Growing Business Awards 2005. The awards, to be held on 30 November, will be hosted by William Hague, with Gordon Brown expected as one of the guest speakers.

Bandon Printers in Cork has won several new orders thanks to its first ever Komori, a four-colour SPICA. The machine, only the second in Ireland, has allowed the company to move into new markets. According to Robert Merrick, office supplies print manager at the firm, the company has gained work from customers needing two-back-two printing.

CMCS Group, the specialist print and packaging group, has appointed Bob Barnes as sales director. He joins from AGI Media (formerly Tinsley Robor), where he spent 20 years. "We are delighted to have Bob on board," said CMCS managing director Adam Teskey.

ESMA has postponed its planned March 2006 Digital Printing Europe Exhibition, the organisation wished to make it clear that the event was never scheduled for October.