The Battle, staged this year by ASGA in partnership with HEXIS, is a competition staged over three days, with fast and furious 15-minute heats pitting some of the industry’s best crafts people against each other to determine the best wrap specialists at this year’s show.

Bryant, from Attention Signs & Embroidery from Day 2 heats, and Sena, from Auto Artisan Group from Day 3 heats were amongst the numerous wrap specialists who competed over the three days. Bryant clocked a winning time of 12 minutes, 10 seconds, followed closely by Sena – a finalist from previous years – who came in at 12 minutes 25 seconds.

For their efforts, both champions will be heading off to New Zealand for an all-expenses paid trip by HEXIS to compete in the Trans-Tasman HEXIS Wrap Battle, to be held at the Kiwi version of Visual Impact in July.

Mick Harrold, President of ASGA, said the battle is a great showcase of the industry’s skills. “This year’s competition was as tough as it’s ever been and we sincerely congratulate Hayden and Rafael on their achievements. It’s no surprise to see such skill in the industry, but always impressive to see it on display in competition conditions.”

Not only did the heats draw enthusiastic crowds, Harrold reports that the students who visited Visual Impact Sydney to ‘try-a-trade’ and get a hands-on look at what the industry can do, were fascinated with the process. 

“At one stage a very lively competition broke out in the ring between groups from two different high schools, with the teachers later reporting that several of the students had expressed an interest in wrapping as a career, directly as a result of what they saw at the show,” he says.

Parramatta Marist High School took out the honours in the schools challenge, with Rouse Hill High School Students coming a creditable second.

“The Wrap Battle was originally conceived to showcase and encourage achievement in our industry, and it’s quickly become one of the highlights at Visual Impact and PacPrint expos,” says Ian Parsonson, Managing Director of HEXIS Australia. 

“We are delighted to once again be involved in this exciting event and to see once again just how impressive our Australian wrappers are – and how easy the champions make it look!”.

Presentations: (from left) Ian Parsonson, Managing Director HEXIS Australia, with Rafael Sena, Hayden Bryant’s sister Melliah who accepted Hayden’s prize on his behalf, and HEXIS Trainer – and Wrap Battle Judge – Ben Schliebs from Graphic Applications. 

The Auto Artisan Group team with Ben Schliebs.