UPFRONT
Cenveo Promotes Burton Jr.
STAMFORD, CT—Boosted by the February acquisition of MeadWestvaco Corp.'s Envelope Product Group (EPG) and growth from the company's direct envelope group, which benefited from strong direct mail volumes, Cenveo Inc. (CVO) saw net sales increase approximately 11.2 percent to $495.2 million for the quarter ending July 2, compared to $445.3 million for the three months ending July 3, 2010. In addition, the company's board of directors has appointed Robert "Rob" Burton Jr. to the position of president. His father, Robert "Bob" Burton, is chairman and CEO.
Marek Obtains Brandspring
WAUKESHA, WI—Offset and digital commercial printer The Marek Group has struck a deal to acquire Minneapolis-based Brandspring Solutions, an integrated marketing communications firm. Brandspring Solutions primarily serves the business-to-business market, along with the business-to-consumer and non-profit markets. As a privately owned agency for 35-plus years, Brandspring has offered traditional sales and marketing consulting, as well as a Web-to-print platform for client-unique applications.
Manistique Papers Files
MANISTIQUE, MI—Having reached a financial impasse with its lender, Manistique Papers (MPI) has ceased production and is filing for bankruptcy as it seeks a buyer. The 90-year-old firm cited declining demand and increasing material costs as among the factors for its struggles, the Daily Press reported. The company employed 150 and produced 100 percent recycled fiber content specialty offset papers for the printing and converting industries.
Thames Closes Its Doors
NORWICH, CT—Rumors regarding the demise of Thames Printing were unfortunately true for the company. Employees showed up for work on Aug. 15, only to find the doors locked and the power shut off, according to the Norwich Bulletin. The firm had conducted business for more than 70 years and employed 60 at the time of its closure, the newspaper reported. Citing court records, the Bulletin noted that the printer's lender, People's United Bank, began foreclosure proceedings in April due to a loan default.
Integrity Adds Colonial
WINDSOR, CT—Integrity Graphics, based here, has acquired Colonial Printing of Warwick, RI. Colonial's manufacturing facility will remain open and retain all of the employees, operating as a division of Integrity. Terms of the deal, which was facilitated by the NAPL M&A team, were not disclosed. Ray Menna, founder of Colonial Printing, will stay on in an advisory role. Ken Menna, vice president, will become the COO of Integrity Graphics.
RRD, Meredith Extend Pact
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley (RRD) has been awarded a multi-year print management agreement by Meredith, a media and marketing firm catering to American women, worth approximately $300 million. Under the terms of the deal, which renews, extends and expands the companies' existing relationship, Donnelley will provide a broad array of products and services, including magazine and book production, logistics services (including co-mailing), and a print management program.
CGX Buys Five Digital Presses
HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics (CGX) has installed five Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition digital printers at five of its facilities. The systems were chosen for their versatility, quality and faster turnaround times, which will enable the printer to better meet its customers' range of design and printing needs. The five CGX printing companies that have installed the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition are The Graphics Group, Dallas; Lincoln Printing in Fort Wayne, IN; Metropolitan Printing in Bloomington, IN; Tewell Warren Printing, Denver; and Precision Litho in Vista, CA.
New Press Fuels DME Program
DAYTONA BEACH, FL—DME, a direct mail and cross-media specialist, is using a newly installed HP Indigo 7500 digital press to expand its new "Customer Rave" customized gifts service for clients, a move the printer considers integral to growing and differentiating its business. The 29-year-old firm wanted to offer more high-end marketing services to its clients, which include leading automotive and health care firms, professional sports teams and collegiate athletics organizations.
New Digs for Toyo Ink America
WOOD DALE, IL—Toyo Ink America, a member of the worldwide Toyo Ink Group, has relocated its headquarters to a roughly 109,000-square-foot facility here. The new home reportedly boosts Toyo Ink's production and technical support capability by providing room for new equipment, an expanded research and development laboratory, as well as an increase in sales and technical staff. PI
