UPFRONT
Edwards Forms Alliance
ANN ARBOR, MI—Edwards Brothers (EB) has partnered with Rockpoint Logistics to provide digital printing services for Rockpoint clients out of that company's Aurora, IL, facility. EB has taken over management of the staff and equipment of the existing operation under a multi-year contract, producing a variety of finished goods, including perfect-bound books, saddlestitched booklets, laminated covers and more.
Vertis Nets New Contract
BALTIMORE—Vertis Communications has been selected by McLiney Lumber as the exclusive provider of its advertising catalogs and direct marketing programs. The contract was awarded to Vertis after McLiney Lumber successfully tested several unique marketing programs, including a customer-engaging fall insert that incorporated Vertis ADhesives Notes. Vertis will support McLiney Lumber's marketing strategy to attract new customers and retain current ones.
Yellow Pages Upgrades Site
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ—The Yellow Pages industry has introduced an upgraded Website at YellowPagesOpt- Out.com that allows consumers nationwide to manage the delivery of printed phone directories. Developed by the Yellow Pages Association (YPA) and the Association of Directory Publishers (ADP), it gives consumers a single location to select or stop receiving phone directories.
Quad Extends with L.L.Bean
SUSSEX, WI—Under a newly signed agreement, Quad/Graphics will print the majority of L.L.Bean's catalogs through 2014. The agreement, which continues the partnership launched in 2008, takes effect in January 2012, and covers all of L.L.Bean's men's, women's, kids', Signature, direct to business and core prospecting catalogs.
Printer Adds Digital Presses
MOONACHIE, NJ—EarthDigital, a provider of digital printing and integrated marketing solutions, has installed two Xerox iGen4 EXP digital presses at its plant here. The company already had five iGen4 presses in operation there. With a second digital printing facility located in Houston, EarthDigital is a division of Parsippany, NJ-based EarthColor.
Texas Mailer Is in Hot Water
HOUSTON—A mass mailer here has been found guilty of using phony postage to send various campaigns, including official notices from local government agencies, the Houston Examiner reported. A jury took just four hours to find Neal Uy Lim, of Missouri City, TX, guilty of charges including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud and four counts of possessing a counterfeit postage meter machine. Lim faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced next month.
Industry Mourns Ken Rizzo
SEWICKLEY, PA—Ken Rizzo, the director of lean and technical services for Printing Industries of America (PIA), died Feb. 15 of an apparent heart attack while on a consulting assignment in suburban Boston. He was 61. Mr. Rizzo spent 15 years with PIA, mostly in various consulting capacities. Michael Makin, PIA president and CEO, called him a "loyal and dedicated employee, author, speaker, and one of the world's most knowledgeable people on a variety of print production topics." He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and three sons.
Indoff Unveils New Division
ST. LOUIS—Indoff Inc. announced the recent launch of a new commercial printing division, which will reportedly provide products including banners and signage, variable data printing, employee handbooks and digital printing. By expanding into commercial printing, the company feels it is able to further streamline client business needs. Indoff currently serves as a single-source distributor in the areas of material handling, commercial interiors, business products and promotional products.
Geographics Opens Center
ATLANTA—Geographics Inc., a commercial printer and solutions provider of integrated marketing campaigns, has opened a technology center at its corporate campus here. The center will enable Geographics to partner with clients to take advantage of new media technology and innovation in their marketing and advertising programs. Geographics acquired 60,000 square feet of additional space to accommodate the technology center and the growth in its marketing services division.
Correction
In the February issue, Lynne Alexander is attributed as saying that her company, The Bureau, was the first print shop in the Twin Cities to have in-line color control on a large-format sheetfed printing press. Imagine! Print Solutions, of Shakopee, MN (a suburb about 30 miles outside Minneapolis/St. Paul), claims it was actually the first area large-format printer with in-line color control. It was equipped on an 81˝ KBA Rapida 205 press Imagine! installed in 2005. PI
