WIDE FORMAT & SIGNAGE NEWS Avery Dennison opens eco-friendly Distribution Centre in Melbourne Avery Dennison opened their new office building and Distribution Centre in Melbourne in September. Clients and partners were taken on a tour of the custom-designed building and warehouse, followed by an opening ceremony, which featured a Welcome to Country by Bunurong elder Uncle Mik Edwards. Cath Cornaggia, Commercial Director for Labels and Packaging ANZ, noted in her keynote that the building had been built and designed as a bespoke office and warehouse. Functioning as a showcase for their Graphics division, as well as an example of their commitment to sustainable practice. Rooftop solar supplies the building with 152kW, and rainwater tanks are used for both irrigation and the toilets. Walls that are not used as a showcase for the extensive Graphics catalogue are painted with low VOC paints; LED lighting is installed throughout the building, with several areas featuring skylights for natural bright light. World record sale antique gasoline sign Richmond Auctions, in Greenville, South Carolina, USA, has set a new world record for the most expensive antique advertising sign sold at auction, a 48-inch double-sided porcelain Musgo Gasoline sign. The selling price of US$1.5 million (including the buyer’s premium) shattered the previous record of $400,000. Considered the Holy Grail of antique advertising signs by most collectors, a Musgo Gasoline sign was discovered in an attic in Michigan. It had never been seen by the public and was fresh to the market. Musgo, originally located in Muskegon, Michigan, was believed to be open for less than six months during the mid-1920s. Following its closure, most of their signs were used as septic tank lids, causing one side to decay from septic fumes. This auction record-breaking sign was ‘new’ old stock, never used as a septic tank lid, and is the best-known example of this legendary sign. “Richmond Auctions was thrilled to have the opportunity to sell this one-of-a- kind collectible,” said Jordan Richmond, Founder and CEO of Richmond Auctions. “This unique Musgo Gasoline sign was discovered without touchups, restoration, or enhancements, something unheard of for a collectible of this nature. The $1.5 million dollar price tag speaks to the great condition and uniqueness of this item,” Richmond concluded. Richmond Auctions specialises in investment-grade antique advertising with an emphasis on petroliana and automobilia collectibles. 6 OCT/NOV 2022 The aim for sustainable practices was highlighted noting that Avery Dennison is aiming to reduce their water consumption by 70% by 2030. She added that the company are aiming to “invest in new products that replenish rather than extract” from the world. The building has an impressive 5000 sqm of Warehouse space, with a generous allocation set aside for the 40 plus graphics, film and adhesive workshops the company intends to run each year. Jordan Leach, Business Director of Graphic Solutions for ANZ and ASEAN, commented that “the bulk of Avery Dennison clients are SMBs, and the workshops cater to everyone from beginner and apprentice installers all the way through to the most experienced people needing to learn about the latest product innovation from the company”. Rounding off the afternoon festivities, Teresa Laing from Mildura Print won the door prize, a Red Balloon voucher.
