UPFRONT
Quad Expands L.L.Bean Pact
SUSSEX, WI—Under a new, multi-year agreement, Quad/Graphics Photography Services will become L.L.Bean's exclusive provider for studio photography. The agreement, an expansion of an existing Quad/Graphics contract, goes into effect this month and covers photography for L.L.Bean's catalogs, as well as its Websites and e-commerce.
Cenveo Buys Clixx Assets
STAMFORD, CT—Cenveo Inc., through one of its subsidiaries, has acquired the assets of Clixx Direct Marketing Services. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Cenveo expects the acquisition to be accretive to earnings. Clixx provides a range of direct mail, data management, variable imaging and fulfillment solutions.
Alonzo Printing Is Closing
HAYWARD, CA—Alonzo Printing, an environmentally-conscious printer based in the Bay Area since 1976, is closing its doors, company President Jim Duffy revealed. The company billed itself as a provider of green solutions for digital, sheetfed and coldset web printing with complete bindery, direct mail and fulfillment services, according to its Website.
Berryville Trims Head Count
BERRYVILLE, VA—Book printer Berryville Graphics has laid off 68 workers following a year in which it cut loose 70 employees due to economic and market conditions, the Northern Virginia Daily reported. Mark Bone, general manager of Berryville, said the company does not anticipate making any further cuts this year, according to the paper. The firm still employs more than 500 workers.
Lehigh Press PR Is Acquired
GREENSBORO, NC—Keller-Crescent Co., a Clondalkin Group Co., has acquired Lehigh Press, located in Juncos, Puerto Rico. Lehigh Press manufactures labels, inserts, outserts and other packaging components, mainly for the pharmaceutical and healthcare markets.
News Corp., Valassis Settle
NEW YORK—News Corp. announced it has settled with Livonia, MI-based Valassis Communications for $500 million in a lawsuit filed against the company's News America Marketing (NAM) unit, which was scheduled to go to trial. Under the terms of the settlement, NAM will also enter into a 10-year shared mail distribution agreement with Valassis Direct Mail, a Valassis subsidiary.
Contac Obtains Forum Assets
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA—Contac announced its further expansion into printing with the acquisition of certain printing assets from Forum Productions, a commercial printer located in Delta, British Columbia. As a result of the deal, Contac is acquiring a wide range of printing equipment and technology, including a six-color, 40˝ sheetfed press; a four-color, 29˝ UV hybrid sheetfed press; a diecutter/foiler; and an assortment of other assets.
MLP USA Promotes Stock
LINCOLNSHIRE, IL—MLP USA announced that Mike Stock, a longtime sales and engineering manager with the organization that markets printing presses manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has been promoted to the position of director of sheetfed and web offset sales. In his new role, Stock now oversees MLP's sales force and cultivates current and prospective customer relationships through the company's press equipment.
Penton Files Chapter 11
CHICAGO—Penton Media, which publishes American Printer and Paper, Film & Foil Converter magazines, has filed a prepackaged plan of reorganization under Chapter 11. Its liabilities exceed $1 billion, with assets between $500 million and $1 billion. Among Penton's largest unsecured claims are several magazine printers, including Worldcolor ($1.59 million), RR Donnelley ($1.41 million), Brown Printing ($207,814) and Quad/Graphics ($81,885). Penton CEO Sharon Rowlands said all pre-petition supplier claims will be paid in full.
Pitney Opens Mail Center
STAMFORD, CT—Pitney Bowes has selected Newark, NJ, as the site for its expanded mail services operations and will open a new International Mail Distribution Center there this month. The relocation and expansion will bring 180 jobs to Newark, and is expected to create an additional 25 jobs in New Jersey's largest city over the next few years.
Curley Takes NewPage Helm
MIAMISBURG, OH—NewPage Corp. has chosen Tom Curley, a 30-year corporate veteran, to take over as president and CEO. He began his career with General Electric, and has worked for organizations such as Caterpillar Inc. and Cooper Cameron. Prior to joining NewPage, Curley most recently served as president of the Rolls-Royce Energy business.
Bigeye, Advanced Mailing Unite
HERNDON, VA—Bigeye Direct and Advanced Mailing Services have combined their operations to form a single provider of printing, mailing and data processing services. The new company will retain the Bigeye Direct name, with Mark Karl as CEO, Damon Smith as president and Mike Calder as COO. The firm will operate out of Bigeye's 32,000-square-foot facility located here. PI
