UPFRONT
Donnelley Acquires 8touches
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has acquired 8touches, an online provider of tools that allow real estate sales associates, brokers, Multiple Listing Service (MLS) associations and other marketers to create customized communication materials, such as direct mail, flyers and brochures. 8touches' branded online resources provide access to more than 1,000 customized templates into which profiles, MLS data and pictures for selected listings can be auto-populated.
EFI, Heidelberg Strike Deal
KENNESAW, GA—EFI and Heidelberg USA announced a new agreement under which Heidelberg will distribute the VUTEk GS series of superwide-format digital printers to the commercial printing market across the United States. Under the agreement, Heidelberg will distribute EFI's VUTEk GS2000, GS3200 and GS5000r models, as well as the inks, parts, consumables, accessories and upgrades related to these printers. Heidelberg will also provide customer and technical support for the VUTEk GS series of printers that it sells, including installation and training.
MSP Installs 52DI-AC Press
NEW CANAAN, CT—MSP Digital Marketing, a network of marketing solutions providers, has installed a Presstek 52DI-AC digital offset press in its DigitalXPress facility in Rockaway, NJ, to augment its digital, toner-based production. Using the organization's integrated production platform and Presstek Latitude workflow, MSP's Hudson, MA, location—TecDoc Digital—will also be able to direct work to the 52DI-AC. The firm has approximately 50 employees in three locations in the Northeastern United States, including 13 sales professionals.
Fry Annexes Aysling Digital
MECHANICSBURG, PA—Fry Communications has completed the acquisition of a majority ownership stake in Aysling Digital Media Solutions of Ann Arbor, MI. Aysling provides content creation technology, consulting, implementation, training and support to a variety of customers. As a software reseller and integrator, Aysling deploys software products from suppliers such as WoodWing, Adobe, and Dataplan to a diverse customer set.
Sheridan Consolidates Plants
HUNT VALLEY, MD—The Sheridan Group announced plans to consolidate the printing operations of two of its subsidiary publications businesses into a single facility. The printing operations of United Litho, located in Ashburn, VA, will be consolidated into Dartmouth Printing's facility in Hanover, NH. According to the Washington Business Journal, 80 jobs will be eliminated.
Danaher Buys EskoArtwork
GENT, BELGIUM—Danish investment group Axcel has come to terms with U.S. industrial company Danaher for the sale of 100 percent of the shares in EskoArtwork for a purchase price of about $470 million. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary approvals and is expected to take place in the first half of 2011. Upon closing, the business will become a part of Danaher's Product Identification platform.
IWCO Refocuses Fulfillment
CHANHASSEN, MN—IWCO Direct is refining its fulfillment services strategy to focus only on integrated fulfillment programs with components generated in-house. The company will begin to transition away from customer programs that require pick-and-pack fulfillment services with supplied components. Most of this business is currently managed through the Warminster, PA, facility, and about 50 employees there will be impacted.
Fort Orange Upgrades Facility
ALBANY, NY—With the installation of a six-color, 40˝ Komori sheetfed press with aqueous coater, Fort Orange Press has completed a $2 million investment in new equipment and facility enhancements designed to increase efficiency, output and customer convenience. The FSC-certified printer also added an Agfa N8-22 thermal platesetter, and is in the final stages of a complete redesign of its corporate offices.
Courier Garners Extension
NORTH CHELMSFORD, MA—Book manufacturer Courier Corp. has signed a multiyear book manufacturing agreement with Pearson Education, the world's largest educational publisher. The new agreement encompasses textbooks and components in both two- and four-color production. The partnership between Courier and Pearson spans nearly 50 years.
Svoboda Obtains Databank
WESTMONT, IL—Private equity firm Svoboda Capital Partners has acquired Databank IMX, a nationwide imaging, document management and information services provider based in King of Prussia, PA. The move is part of Svoboda Capital's enterprise content management strategy. The transaction was supported by The Open Approach. PI
