Discussions on print-associated technologies including IR and a visit to Fairfax Media's Petone print site are on the programme for the NZ Single Width Users Group conference from August 3-4.

"It is shaping up to be a good conference with a good mix of presentations, a good line up of entertainment on the awards night and networking dinner," says president Dan Blackbourn.

Speakers on the first day include Willie Townend (Norkse Skog), Mitch Mulligan (Bottcher), Ruth Cobb (PrintNZ), Meredith Darke (DIC) and representatives of Goss, manroland and Webco.

Site manager Ricky Baker will talk about Fairfax Media's recently-upgraded Petone plant prior to an afternoon site tour, and the annual awards dinner - including apprentice of the year - follows in the evening.

Highlights for the following morning include Workcare NZ's Nicky Trevithick on risks associated with drugs and alcohol in the workplace, and Chris Smallwood's address about infrared (thermal imaging), uses of which he says is are "limited only by your imagination".

The programme also includes Andy Stephens (Global Press Technology), Ian Gibson (Fujifilm), James Ackland (DS Chemport), Phil Lawrence on power quality, last year's SWUG apprentice of the year Navdeep Sidhu, Marcus Bathan of Vertical Horizonz on health and safety issues, Steve Packham (DIC), Eddie Holmes (Flint), Menno Jansen (QI Press Controls) and a men's health session.

The conference concludes with an evening networking dinner.

More details from Dan Blackbourn, email dan.blackbourn@nzme.co.nz