Japanese graphic arts equipment maker Dainippon Screen is doing what the industry has been doing for years... dropping the D-word.

So Dainippon Screen (Australia) becomes Screen GP Australia, for example, effective from April1.

The change reflects changes announced to the Tokyo stock market last August with the corporate structure becoming one of a holding company with operational subsidiaries. "There is no material effect on any of the operational divisions, personnel or products and services," managing director Peter Scott says.

The GP stands for 'graphic and precision' and is a shortening of the full new global company title, Screen Graphic and Precision Solutions Co. Ltd. President Katsuhiko Aoki remains managing director of the local company, and even its ABN Number is unchanged.

All Screen Holdings Company subsidiaries worldwide are also dropping 'Dainippon' from their names, including Screen Semiconductor, Screen Finetech, Screen Manufacturing Support and Screen Business Support.

"It is 'business as usual' and the new streamlined naming conventions will be clearer to all and will also avoid confusion with other companies prefixed with 'Dainippon'," Scott says.