Upfront
Harland Clarke Buys Valassis
SAN ANTONIO—Payment solutions specialist Harland Clarke Holdings (HCH) has agreed to acquire Livonia, MI-based Valassis, which specializes in free-standing inserts. HCH, a wholly owned subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, will purchase all of the outstanding shares of Valassis for $34.04 per share in cash, representing a transaction value of approximately $1.84 billion.
NAPL, AMSP Merger OK'd
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—In an overwhelming vote of approval, by more than 97 percent of the votes cast, the memberships of the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), based here, and the Association of Marketing Service Providers (AMSP) have agreed to merge into a single entity. The association hopes to provide an expanded slate of services to its respective members.
Bang Nets Victor Graphics
BRAINERD, MN—Bang Printing has entered into an agreement to buy certain intangible assets, goodwill and customer relationships of Baltimore-based Victor Graphics. The acquisition will allow Bang Printing to provide former Victor Graphics customers with a more diversified suite of products and services.
IWCO Direct Adds Océ Press
CHANHASSEN, MN—IWCO Direct, a provider of direct marketing solutions, announced it has expanded the digital platform at its Hamburg, PA, facility with the installation of an Océ ColorStream 3900 inkjet press from Canon Solutions America. The installation marks the next phase of IWCO Direct's strategic investment in digital printing technology, which provides customers with additional resources to create high-volume direct mail campaigns.
RRD-CGX Clears Antitrust
CHICAGO—The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 has expired, paving the way for RR Donnelley (RRD) to complete its previously announced acquisition of Houston-based Consolidated Graphics (CGX). The deal, which remains subject to approval by CGX shareholders and other customary closing conditions, is expected to close during the first quarter.
Worker Injured by Forklift
PORTLAND, OR—An employee of a commercial printing company here was taken to the hospital after a forklift ran over his legs, KOIN-TV 6 reported. The unidentified man, an employee of Journal Graphics, was freed from underneath the truck by the time emergency personnel arrived on the scene. The victim was treated for leg injuries at the hospital.
Alcom Acquires Macorp
HARLEYSVILLE, PA—Alcom Printing Group has acquired Macorp Print Group of Souderton, PA. This deal will further expand Alcom's commercial sheetfed printing, coldset web printing, digital printing, direct mail, packaging, warehousing, fulfillment, distribution and integrated communication solutions offerings. The firms have a combined 85 years of experience in the graphic arts industry.
NAPCO Promotes Leskusky
PHILADELPHIA—North American Publishing Co. (NAPCO), parent company of Printing Impressions magazine, announced that David Leskusky has been named president. Leskusky, 41, succeeds Ned Borowsky, who has become vice chairman of NAPCO alongside his father, Chairman and Founder Irvin J. Borowsky. In his new role, Leskusky has assumed all day-to-day operations and reports directly to Ned Borowsky.
