Upfront
Ex-Print Worker Arrested
FORT WORTH, TX—A former worker at the Star-Telegram printing plant was arrested recently following a series of threats he allegedly made against the company, the newspaper itself reported. Marcus Brooks, 20, faces a third-degree felony charge of making a terroristic threat. Brooks, who was fired June 28 after working at the plant less than a year, was a part-time inserter. Officials would not reveal the content of the alleged threats.
Heidelberg Ending GTO 52
HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—Given the small-format offset trend toward smaller run sizes, shorter delivery times and competitive pricing, along with the success of its Speedmaster SM 52 and SX 52, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has decided to phase out production of the Printmaster GTO 52 next March. More than 30,000 printing units of the SM 52/SX 52 have been sold.
RRD Closes Debt Offering
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has closed an offering of $350 million aggregate principal amount of 6½ percent notes due 2023. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of borrowings under its revolving credit facility. Amounts repaid may be reborrowed to finance the cash portion of amounts payable by the company in connection with the proposed acquisition of Consolidated Graphics.
Packing Firm Closing Doors
TERRE HAUTE, IN—Multi Packaging Solutions (MPS), headquartered in New York City, will close its plant here by year's end, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported. The closure will result in the loss of about 150 jobs. MPS acquired the Terre Haute facility from rival Ivy Hill in 2009.
Mercury More 'Prosper'ous
ROCHESTER, NY—With a Kodak Prosper 5000XL press installed in July 2011 and a Kodak Prosper 1000 press installed in December 2012, Mercury Print Productions is preparing for a third press to be installed at the beginning of 2014. A specialist in digital book printing for the education market, Mercury Print will use the new Kodak Prosper 5000XLi press to broaden its offerings of short-run, on-demand book production.
Safeguard Acquires Prime
DALLAS—Safeguard, a member of Deluxe Corp., has completed its acquisition of Prime Business Solutions. Founded in 1974, Prime Business Solutions is a supplier of printing, promotional items and office supplies nationwide. Terms of the acquisition, which was completed on Nov. 6, were not announced. Headquartered in Akron, OH, Prime Business Solutions serves large and small businesses through its product mix, worldwide distribution capabilities, as well as its e-commerce system.
Canfield & Tack Expands
ROCHESTER, NY—Commercial printer Canfield & Tack cut the ribbon on a 46,000-square-foot center at the Eastman Business Park in late October. The facility will provide Canfield & Tack with a warehouse, distribution, fulfillment and mailing center, the Rochester Democrat reported.
Ratan Named CEO at B&H
DURHAM, NC—Bell and Howell, a global provider of multi-channel communications solutions for print, Web and mobile delivery, announced that Ramesh Ratan will become the company's CEO on Jan. 3. Most recently, Ratan served as president of Pitney Bowes Document Messaging Technologies and Pitney Bowes Marketing Services Solutions. He replaces interim CEO Kamal Advani.
