UPFRONT
Vertis Installs Goss Press
BALTIMORE—Direct mail printing specialist Vertis Communications has installed a new Goss Sunday 2000 web press in its direct marketing facility in Chalfont, PA. The technology will enable hyper-personalized marketing for the printer's major clients, including American Express, Macy's, Citigroup, Chrysler and Ford. The press, which features speeds up to 2,400 fpm, can produce short-run quantities and provides rapid turnaround on long-run projects, reducing production time and maximizing return on investment.
RRD Nets Journalism Online
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley (RRD) has acquired Journalism Online and its Press+ offering, which enables publishers to seamlessly integrate a paid-content engine into their Websites. The Press+ system supports publishers as they offer audiences a mix of free and subscription-based content. Journalism Online is managed by two of the company's founders, veteran digital media leaders Steven Brill, founder of The American Lawyer magazine and Court TV, and L. Gordon Crovitz, a former Wall Street Journal publisher.
BBH Files Bankruptcy, Selling
WHEELING, IL—Böwe Bell + Howell (BBH) announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Versa Capital Management under which Versa and its co-investment partner Access Value Investors (AVI) would acquire substantially all of BBH's assets. Versa holds the majority of BBH's outstanding secured debt, which will be resolved through the sale. To facilitate these transactions, Böwe Systec and its affiliates filed voluntary bankruptcy petitions under Chapter 11. The expedited sale process should be completed within 90 days or less.
Layoffs for SourceLink
MIAMISBURG, OH—Citing federal budget cuts that will end the printing of Social Security benefit statements, Chicago-based SourceLink announced it is laying off 23 employees at its facility here, according to the Dayton Business Journal. The marketing services provider specializes in direct marketing/mail and transactional document outsourcing services, including on-demand printing.
American Litho Acquires Berlin
CAROL STREAM, IL—American Litho and Berlin Industries have entered into a definitive agreement that will result in American Litho purchasing certain assets of Berlin Industries. The combined company will offer a broader range of products and service capabilities to its customers, and will continue to operate two existing printing plants located in Carol Stream, IL. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur by early June.
New iGen4 EXP for MSP Plant
NEW CANAAN, CT—Marketing solutions provider MSP Digital Marketing, based here, has installed a Xerox iGen4 EXP press at its TecDoc Digital Solutions company in Hudson, MA. With the iGen4 EXP and its large sheet size of 14.33x26˝, MSP can now deliver a fully variable, six-page document. The company also upgraded its existing Xerox iGen3 press with iGen4 imaging software at the same time.
Domtar Reduces Capacity
MONTREAL—Domtar Corp. announced that it will permanently shut down one of four paper machines at its Ashdown, AR, pulp and paper mill by July 1. This will reduce Domtar's annual uncoated freesheet paper production capacity by approximately 125,000 short tons. The mill's workforce will be reduced by approximately 110 employees. Following the shutdown, the Ashdown mill will continue to operate three fiber lines, a pulp dryer and three paper machines, with a staff of approximately 940 people.
Tigner Buys Mashue Printing
MIDLAND, MI—Don and Connie Mashue, owners of Mashue Printing for the last 25 years, have sold their business to Coleman, MI-based Tigner Printing, the Midland Daily News reported. Don Mashue, who will remain with the company during a three-month transition period, plans to retire. Jack Tigner, president of Tigner Printing, told the newspaper that the acquisition will increase his company's market presence, especially in the Midland area, where it already serves numerous customers.
Mercury Installs Prosper Press
ROCHESTER, NY—Mercury Print Productions has installed a Kodak Prosper 5000XL inkjet press that is expected to create 40 new jobs over a three-year period. The $3.875 million investment by the high-end printer and binder of school textbooks will help keep work within the state, according to John Place, Mercury president and CEO. Empire State Development is assisting the project with a $250,000 capital grant to be disbursed as the company reaches its investment and employment targets.
