Upfront
Manroland Web Reboots
WESTMONT, IL—manroland web systems, the U.S. sales and service organization for the Augsburg, Germany-based manufacturer, has been re-established here by L. Possehl & Co., the firm that obtained the web press portion of manroland's operations in February. Roland Ortbach, who has been with the company for more than 20 years, was named CEO of manroland web systems North America.
IBS Buys Imtek Assets
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA—IBS Direct, a direct response printing solutions and marketing services firm, has purchased substantially all of the assets of Imtek LLC, based in Bridgeport, NJ. Imtek provides direct marketing, printing, fulfillment and location intelligence services to clients in the retail, automotive, publishing and health care industries, among others.
Thief Gets Prison Time
ROCK HILL, SC—George Walker, the former head of printing services at Winthrop University, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to misusing more than $200,000 in institutional funds to fuel an Internet gambling addiction, as well as to pay for family needs, according to The Herald. Between 2005 and 2010, Walker created fake invoices from fictitious customers. An audit shortly after Walker left the school revealed the deception.
Tribune Adds Inserters
NORTHLAKE, IL—Tribune Direct, the direct mail printing arm of the Chicago Tribune Media Group, is adding an additional Goss Magnapak inserting system in response to growing insert volumes. The 42-position Magnapak is capable of address-specific selective inserting at up to 30,000 copies/hr. The parent company will also upgrade two existing Magnapak systems used for preprints at its downtown Chicago Freedom Center facility.
Webcrafters Cuts Staff
MADISON, WI—Facing a shrinking book printing market, Webcrafters Inc. announced it was reducing its staff by 15 percent, a move that resulted in the loss of 80-plus jobs, The Capital Times reported. The cuts were made across the company, impacting manufacturing, office and supervisory staff. The company is offering voluntary separation packages to employees.
Expansion for AliGraphics
WHITE PLAINS, NY—AliGraphics, a full-service printing and graphics company that's part of the Amalgamated Family of Companies, recently added 8,000 square feet of space to its facility here, bringing its total square footage to 13,000 square feet. The expansion was designed to accommodate more production equipment and provide additional office space.
New Promo Products Site
LANCASTER, PA—Intelligencer Printing, a 2011 NAPL Platinum Customer Plus award winner, has launched a promotional products Website. The company offered promotional products before launching its new site, but only on a very limited basis. The site, intellpromo.logomall.com, features various products, including t-shirts, bags, hats and mini footballs.
Image Craft Nets Qube
PHOENIX—Image Craft, a graphic printing and fine art reproduction firm located here, has acquired Denver-based sign and graphics specialist Qube Visual. Image Craft had planned on expanding into the Denver area prior to the deal.
Kodak Forges Sales Pact
ROCHESTER, NY—Kodak and Graphic Innovators are partnering to provide customers with new opportunities to expand their offerings using hybrid inkjet printing. The agreement establishes Graphic Innovators as an authorized sales agent of Kodak Prosper S-Series imprinting systems to clients in the Americas region. PI
