UPFRONT

OSHA Fines WV Printer

CHARLESTON, WV—Chapman Printing has been assessed a $158,000 fine for 19 alleged safety violations by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Charleston Gazette reported. OSHA began an investigation last June in response to a formal complaint, the paper said. Six of the violations, termed "willful," account for $126,000 of the total amount.

DirectMail Buys Eagle Direct

PRINCE FREDERICK, MD—DirectMail.com, a provider of integrated direct marketing solutions, has acquired Eagle Direct, an Upper Marlboro, MD, direct mail shop specializing in personalized, multi-insert pieces. With the acquisition, privately held DirectMail.com will add key Eagle Direct staff members, including owner Deborah Albro, to its team. Albro will assume the title of vice president, customer service and operations.

More Cuts Slated for KBA

WÜRZBURG, GERMANY—Printing press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) plans to cut an additional 300 million euros (more than $450 million) in costs by 2013 in an effort to offset flagging sales and right the ship toward profitability, Bloomberg.com reported. 
In an interview, KBA CEO Helge Han-
sen said the company is now seeking 580 million euros in savings through 2012. By mid-year, 300 more positions will be eliminated at the company.

Council Aids Expansion

JEFFERSON CITY, MO—Command Web, a book printer that counts Scholastic among its publishing customers, got a boost from Jefferson City Council, which approved the sale of $22.5 million worth of taxable bonds to finance the company's expansion project. The initiative, which could create 50 or more jobs, includes a 45,000-square-foot expansion, KRCG-TV reported. A new printing press and binding line will be included in the project.

Printer Avoids Jail Time

NEW YORK—The head of a Long Island City printing company has pleaded guilty to grand larceny for defrauding two investors out of $145,000, the New York Post reported. Peter Saad, owner of Project 912, agreed to repay the money in exchange for a likely sentence of five years' probation. Saad made several false statements to two acquaintances in order to entice them into investing in Project 912.

Institute, WCTC Part Ways

PEWAUKEE, WI—The relationship between the Institute for Graphics and Imaging (IGI) and the Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) has apparently ended. The IGI's board voted to end its agreement with the college effective immediately, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Tim Burton, who heads the IGI's board of directors, told the paper that it was not known if the institute would be revived elsewhere. During 2009, nearly three-quarters of the 40 scheduled seminars were cancelled due to a lack of attendance.

Cohber Adds Landmark Press

ROCHESTER, NY—Cohber Press, a full-service printing and marketing communications company based here, is the first customer in North America to install the new Kodak NexPress SE3600 digital color production press. Cohber Press' purchase of the NexPress SE3600 enables Cohber to increase volume in both static and variable data printing, while managing its expenses.

PIA Seeks Legislative Relief

WASHINGTON, DC—The Printing Industries of America has formally petitioned the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), requesting an extension of the current stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for children's books and printed materials mandated in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The CPSC delayed full implementation of the act for one year due to a lack of regulatory and enforcement guidelines.

RR Donnelley Gets Extension

CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has reached agreement on a $100 million, multi-year extension with Verizon Wireless. Under the terms of the deal, RR Donnelley will use its proprietary variable digital imaging capabilities to produce, finish and mail consumer and commercial statements. This technology will also be used to produce customer communications associated with the billing statements for Verizon Wireless.

Nahan Printing Trims Rolls

ST. CLOUD, MN—Nahan Printing cut 15 percent of its workforce, the second time it had reduced staff during 2009, according to the St. Cloud Times. The paper said that Nahan had cut 18 jobs, roughly 3 percent of its staff, last March, which would set the new wave of job losses at about 85. The reductions will be effective this month.

Fidelitone Acquires Premier

WAUCONDA, IL—Fidelitone Logistics 
has completed a deal to acquire Premier Printing and Packaging of Mundelein, IL, the Lake County News-Sun reported. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to the paper, all employees of Premier Printing and Packaging will be retained by Fidelitone Logistics, including Premier President P.J. Nuzzo. Fidelitone is a third-party 
logistics supplier. PI