Industry News

Jan 24, 2007 12:00 AM, By AP staff

News from: Dynacolor Graphics, Saepio, Bookmasters, GMA, ThePaperMillStore.com, GMG Americas, Xitron, Glatfelter, CPrint, ErgoSoft, Kodak, PIA, HP, GCC America, Wynalda Litho, Colortek, Transcontinental, RR Donnelley, ICS, RIT, PrintEd, RBP Chemical, Hiflex, Allied Capital, Standard Finishing Systems, OAI Inc., Vertis, Repacorp Label Products and xpedx.

Hot Topics, Management Tips, Newsmakers

TIDBITS
» Dynacolor Graphics celebrates its 35th anniversary.

» Saepio Technologies has relocated to a larger office at 4601 Madison Ave., Kansas City, MO.

» Bookmasters, Inc., plans to consolidate its three existing operations into the newly constructed facilities on its 96-acre development site in Ashland, OH.

» Graphic Management Assn. (GMA) has changed its name to Muller Martini Mailroom Systems, Inc., aligning the organization with its parent company, Muller Martini Holding.

» All Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified envelopes manufactured by National Envelope now are available at ThePaperMillStore.com.

» GMG Americas has moved its headquarters to larger facilities at 35 Pond Park Dr., Suite 17, Hingham, MA 02043. The new phone number is (781) 659-2323.

» Xitron has been chosen as a preferred provider for RIPs and workflows to be used throughout the 600+ Allegra Network locations.

» Glatfelter has recognized Cary Printing as a MagneCote Certified Printer, acknowledging Cary’s commitment to innovation and quality using MagneCote paper.

» Atwood’s Kwik Kopy Printing has been certified to participate in Certified Printers Intl. (CPrint), an organization of independently owned, family businesses.

» ErgoSoft has a dealer partnership with Jesse J. Heap & Son, Inc.

» As part of the 10th anniversary of thermal CTP technology, Kodak has donated a complete thermal CTP solution to Arizona State University’s (ASU) Graphic Information Technology program. The package includes the Kodak Magnus 400 platesetter, a Prinergy workflow system, Thermal Direct non-process printing plates, InSite software and Staccato screening software.

Postal reform approved
The Printing Industries of America (PIA) (Washington, D.C.) hails the December passage of H.R. 6407, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, which was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. President Bush signed the bill into law on December 20, 2006.

Passage of the bill was PIA’s No. 1 legislative goal this Congress. H.R. 6407 calls for a 10-year cap on postal rates and the tying of those rates to the Consumer Price Index.

“The printing industry is a primary sector of the ‘mailing economy’ along with publishing, paper, direct marketing, retail, financial services and other industries,” says PIA/GATF president and CEO Michael Makin. “Altogether, the mailing economy employs almost nine million workers and represents nearly nine percent of U.S. gross domestic product. ... This legislation will allow the mailing community to plan for affordable, predictable rate increases, while also bringing modern, post-Internet era management efficiencies to the U.S. Postal Service.”

Amazon chooses HP Indigo for POD
Amazon.com has selected HP’s (Palo Alto, CA) flagship Indigo 5000 press to provide digital color printing for Amazon’s expanding books-on-demand business. HP will become Amazon’s preferred provider for color print-on-demand services.

Multiple HP Indigo digital presses have been installed at Amazon fulfillment centers and now produce full-color books on demand as well as color covers for black-and-white books. The presses will be used primarily for color jobs, although some black-and-white work will be done.

Asked why Amazon selected HP over other digital press options, HP cited the 5000’s high quality on up to seven-color jobs as well as its speed on one-color jobs. The company also noted that the new front-end, HP Indigo Production Manager, makes it easy for users to run multiple devices.

GCC, PCS form partnership
GCC America has announced a distribution agreement with Photo Chemical Systems (Knightdale, NC). Under the terms of the partnership, PCS will actively promote, sell, service and support GCC America’s line of UV flatbed printers.

“We selected PCS as our non-exclusive distributor for our UV printers because they are highly regarded in the screen and flexographic printing markets,” says Jeff Lee, sales and marketing director for GCC America. “PCS has a strong technical and service expertise that we believe a distributor needs to have, as customers increasingly look to our UV flatbed printers for short-run display graphics production.”

Design keeps packaging job in the U.S.
Wynalda Litho’s (Belmont, MI) innovative design and advanced capabilities kept the packaging production for the “Monster House” DVD in the United States. The “interactive Animation Wheel,” as Sony Pictures has dubbed it, is similar to spinning wheels found in gift cards and children’s books that typically are held together on some type of hub, such as a grommet or other hand-assembled (often overseas) hardware. Wynalda Litho’s innovative design is fully automated, did not require any hardware and could be produced here.

“The idea of incorporating a spinning wheel into the cover of a DVD package presented a few challenges that only our experienced design and production teams could overcome,” says Dan Longberg, vice president of Wynalda Litho. “An in-depth understanding of our advanced folding, inserting and gluing capabilities allowed our team to develop a technique never before seen in the marketplace.”

It was quickly determined that using a hub of some kind to hold the wheel in place and allow it to spin on its center point was not going to be a viable option because it would require too much hand work, the cost of which would have put the project far over budget. The solution was a “trap” for the wheel formed from creatively folding paper flaps from the cover into a “cradle” that secures the wheel, which is simultaneously inserted into place. The result is a smoothly spinning wheel that was created on a swift production schedule without the need for overseas outsourcing.

Matchprint Virtual helps Colortek strengthen customer relationships
Colortek, Inc., (St. Louis) has resolved key business issues, such as saving time and reducing labor expense while maximizing productivity, with monitor proofing. As a 24/7 operation with national and international clients, Colortek reportedly relies on Kodak (Rochester, NY) Matchprint Virtual Software to meet deadlines and strengthen collaboration between all levels of production, shortening the review and approval processes on most jobs from eight to two days.

Colortek began using monitor proofing in 1999 and now counts hundreds of users with dozens of clients, and it is one of the largest SWOP-certified install bases with more than 50 systems in the field. Using qualified LCD monitors and Kodak color calibration technology, users can view contract quality proofs online.

“We have lowered our consumable expenses by greater than 20 percent and have saved equally in time spent on production,” says Rich Reichert, president of Colortek. “Even more impressive, though, is that we have improved accuracy and maintained consistency from proof to proof and day to day.”

“Not looking at a paper proof has been a tough transition for some clients,” Reichert adds. “But in today’s business environment, cost and time accountability have forced a migration to newer, more efficient proofing systems. Once this technology is embraced, it’s like a light turns on, and clients can’t believe they waited so long to start using such a beneficial method.”

Transcontinental to print San Francisco Chronicle
Transcontinental (Montreal) has signed an exclusive 15-year contract with Hearst Corp. (New York) to print the San Francisco Chronicle daily newspaper and its related products, as well as provide complete postpress services. Transcontinental plans to begin production in spring 2009 in a new San Francisco Bay Area plant it will equip with state-of-the-art technology. The contract with the Chronicle plus the printing of other products at this new facility will surpass $1 billion (U.S.) in total revenues over the 15-year period. Transcontinental’s total investments are estimated at over $200 million U.S. ($228 million Canadian).

Founded in 1865, the San Francisco Chronicle is the Bay Area’s principal newspaper. It had the U.S.’s 14th largest ABC-verified circulation as of September 30, 2006 (Monday to Friday, 373,805; Saturday, 383,378; Sunday, 432,957), with a readership of 1.2 million per Sunday. It is one of 12 daily and 20 weekly newspapers owned by Hearst, also one of the world’s largest publishers of monthly magazines.

RR Donnelley to buy Von Hoffman
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. (Chicago) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Von Hoffman from Visant Corp. (Armonk, NY) for $412.5 million. The all-cash deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, and is expected to close by the end of Q1 2007.

Von Hoffman is a U.S. printer of books and other products serving the education, trade and business-to-business catalog segments. The company has production operations in Jefferson City and Owensville, MO, and in Eldridge, IA. It also provides design, creative, and other prepress services through an operation in Arlington Heights, IL.

“This completes our ‘trilogy’ of transactions designed to offer our print customers greater capacity and flexibility, and further secures our position as the leader in our industry,” says RR Donnelley CEO Mark A. Angelson.

Remote Director speeds agencies’ turnaround
ICS (New York) reports Remote Director is helping top agencies to work with their clients’ changes, give them more time in the creative process and still meet tight deadlines.

“As our clients demand faster turnaround times, we chose Remote Director to meet this need head on,” says Michael Guzman, director of print & technology for DDB New York. “Remote Director affords us the opportunity to provide our clients with the color accuracy, speed and cost efficiencies that would be unattainable with traditional ink-based proofing.”

“Remote Director fits seamlessly into our workflow. The ability to share proofs between offices and attain feedback quickly has enhanced our offerings in terms of quality, turnaround and client satisfaction,” says Ron Sheffield, vice president and director of print production at Doner, an independently owned advertising agency in North America with approximately $2 billion in combined billings.

Remote Director is distributed by Chromaticity Inc. (Grand Rapids, MI) in the United States and Canada.

RIT dedicates gravure research library to H. Howard Flint II
Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Print Media formally dedicated the H. Howard Flint II Gravure Research Library during a ceremony on December 11.

H. Howard Flint II died in 2005. The dedication is in recognition of his longtime support of the Gravure Assn. of America and the Gravure Education Foundation. Flint is the former chairman of Flint Ink (now known as Flint Group, Ann Arbor, MI) and the grandson of the company’s founder.

Michael Green, vice president and GM of Flint Group North America Publication and News Ink Divisions and a 1987 graduate of RIT, was on hand for the naming of the university’s Gravure Research Library and accepted a plaque on behalf of Flint Group. The plaque will hang in the library at RIT.

“The H. Howard Flint II Gravure Research Library is an invaluable resource for students in RIT’s School of Print Media learning about the gravure process and technology,” says Patricia Sorce, administrative chair of RIT’s School of Print Media. “I would like to thank the Gravure Association of America and Flint Group for their generous support in helping us educate these bright young men and women who will one day be a part of the gravure printing industry workforce.”

PrintEd instructor receives award of excellence
PIA/GATF has named Paul Foster (pictured at right with PIA/GATF’s Jim Workman, left), PrintED instructor for Sollers Point Technical High School in Baltimore, MD, the 2006 Academic Education Award of Excellence recipient. In its 22nd year, the annual contest recognizes companies and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to education and training in graphic communications.

Prior to launching his teaching career, Foster spent 16 years in the printing industry. He joined the Sollers Point staff as a graphic communications instructor seven years ago, and during that time, he has become a strong advocate of PrintED. He says, “We are trying to model our program on what print shops really need to do today to compete.”

Foster has worked with the Graphic Arts Educationand Research Foundation (GAERF) to develop a process for teachers seeking PrintED accreditation to complete their applications and supporting documentation electronically. Additionally, he has worked with the Maryland State Department of Education to organize statewide informational meetings, and he recently helped launch a Web forum for teachers at http://board.pgama.com. The forum, which is hosted and supported by the Printing & Graphics Association, Mid-Atlantic (PGAMA), provides a framework for teachers to exchange information with other teachers nationwide and share their experiences in compiling and presenting the data required for PrintED accreditation.

RBP gets fountain solution blending patent
RBP Chemical Technology (Milwaukee, WI) has been granted U.S. Patent 7,114,443 on a new method for delivering fountain solution to a printing press. The patent covers the mixing and delivery of fluid concentrates with water, using a proportioning pump to meter the component concentrates.

Company president Mark Kannenberg comments, “In granting this patent, the U.S. Patent Office has recognized the exciting new technology which forms the basis of the RBP Concept 21 Fountain Solution System. Utilizing this patent means that printers can control ink-water balance more precisely than ever before and print cleaner, more consistent color, job after job.”

RBP Chemical Technology products are manufactured in a 45,000-sq.-ft. plant in Milwaukee; by approved blenders in the United States, South Korea and Thailand; and by a licensee in Finland.

MIS vendor Hiflex hires print cost accounting consultant
Hiflex Corp. (Warrenville, IL) announces the addition of William “Bill” Herrott to its North American staff. Gary E. Marron, president, Hiflex North America, says, “Bill comes to us with over 20 years of experience in the area of print manufacturing cost accounting, and he fits superbly into our Hiflex Streamlining Group with his extensive print costing experience and knowledge base.”

Allied Capital buys out EarthColor
Private financing company Allied Capital Corp. (Washington, DC) has committed $210.5 million in the management-led buyout of EarthColor, Inc. (New York), a commercial printer serving the pharmaceutical, telecommunications and financial services industries. The senior management of EarthColor made a significant equity investment in the company, acquiring a majority of the voting stock.

EarthColor reportedly is the largest competitor in the New York metropolitan market and one of the largest competitors in its other markets. The company operates a low-cost distributed print platform with production facilities in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Texas, with additional prepress operations in Arizona.

Founded in 1982 by CEO Robert Kashan, EarthColor specializes in high-quality printed products that require quick turnaround and significant customer service. The company has developed organically and through acquisitions into a diversified, full-service commercial print provider.

100 WORDS OR LESS:
How can printers ensure great customer service?
“Well-run companies always are seeking opportunities to provide special services and information to customers. These opportunities can result in changed buyer perceptions and more competent customers. Make a list of all points of customer contact, beginning with specifications to be estimated and ending with delivery of finished product. At a minimum, there are at least 20 points of contact including—but not limited to—the quotation, receipt of files, proofing, reports on job status, samples and communication from the customer service representative while a job is in production. Think about information and messages that could be communicated at every point of contact.”
—Dick Gorelick, excerpted from his special report, “101 ways to increase profitability.” Find it online at www.americanprinter.com.

PEOPLE
Standard Finishing Systems (Andover, MA) has promoted George Vergilis to director of sales.

Whitaker “Whit” Christensen has joined OAI Inc. (Tampa, FL) as senior sales consultant for the company’s retail division.

Vertis (Baltimore, MD) has named Michael DuBose chairman and CEO.

Pat Larson is the new marketing director at Repacorp Label Products (Tipp City, OH).

xpedx (Loveland, OH) has appointed Fred Towler as vice president of procurement.