SUPPLIER news
Planting Pinwheels for Peace
AMBLER, PA—Kathy Davis Studios recently set out to spread the message of world peace. Pinwheels for Peace, a global art therapy project founded by two teachers in Florida, was chosen as the ideal venture to teach local children and raise awareness over important global initiatives.
For the past two years, on September 21 (International Day of Peace), pinwheels are assembled around the world and “planted” into the ground as a public statement and art exhibition. In 2006, more than 1 million pinwheels in some 2,300 locations across the globe were displayed. The project was localized when Kathy Davis encouraged 100-plus elementary school students in her town to make Pinwheels for Peace and plant them in front of her studio.
Davis chose YUPO synthetic paper for her pinwheels because it’s tear-resistant, waterproof and durable. The synthetic paper was also chosen because it’s recyclable and entirely tree-free, which supports the environmental movement.
Vecoplan, a manufacturer of shredding and recycling equipment, recently held a grand opening of its newly expanded, 60,000-square-foot facility in Archdale, NC. The building dedication included a tour of the 30,000-square-foot addition, the showcase of which is a new test lab that was christened during the open house. The new test lab is set up to provide real-world conditions in which customers can view their own waste materials being processed—from feeding through shredding and discharge/separation. The lab also has several customer-viewing stations with built-in windows. Cameras positioned above each shredder’s hopper provide live video feeds, which can be viewed at the lab, online or recorded on CDs/DVDs for customer viewing later.
MAN Roland has named two graphic arts industry veterans as its new product managers for sheetfed presses: Clay Oliff, who’s been with MAN for five years as district sales manager/regional product manager for the Southern region, and Martin Pierce, who has more than a decade of experience as a press installer/trainer and sales representative with another press manufacturer.
An expansion has recently been completed by Yazoo Mills, a New Oxford, PA-based manufacturer of paper tubes and cores. The company remodeled/modernized the front of its 140,000-square-foot facility, expanded and updated its office space to nearly 7,600 square feet, and added more parking areas. Automated glue delivery systems and recutting machinery have also been purchased in the past year.
Due to the increasing demand for its Kwik Finish UV/aqueous coating products, Kompac Technologies recently relocated to a new facility in Somerville, NJ, with additional manufacturing capacity.
The Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) has presented the Neil Richards Visionary Leadership Award to Edwin Masten, manager of strategic planning at International Paper. The award was presented to Masten for his contributions to the printing industry in the areas of market research and analysis, strategic planning and mentoring.
An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony were held recently in Batavia, IL, for the new Center for Technology and Operations Excellence built by Day International, a Flint Group company. The company’s R&D and manufacturing operations are being consolidated under a single roof in this 112,000-square-foot facility.
Geoff Peters has been elected president and COO of Wikoff Color, a manufacturer of printing inks and coatings. Before assuming his current position, Peters served as Wikoff’s vice president of operations and technology. Phil Lambert, former president of Wikoff Color, will continue to serve as chairman and CEO.
A new recruitment firm for printers and associated printing industry companies has been launched by Tom Bastian, former president of The Graphics Group, a Consolidated Graphics company. The McKinney, TX-based sales and executive level recruitment company is called Bastian & Associates.
Erik Charles has joined MindFire Inc. as executive vice president of business analytics. He will be responsible for ensuring that the company’s product releases and service offerings are based on input from clients, as well as detailed market analysis.
Celebrating a century in business, Toyo Ink International created a wall calendar titled, “The Toyo Ink Group 100th Anniversary Commemorative Calendar 2007,” which it entered in the 2007 Premier Print Awards. The calendar took Best of Category honors in two categories, Calendars and Specialty Inks/Coatings.
Yupo Corp., a manufacturer of synthetic paper, has named Akeo Sawayama as president and CEO, after his successor, Masahiko Yano retired. Among other recent changes in Yupo leadership, Paul Mitcham has been promoted to director of marketing and sales support; Dave Ofstein has been promoted to director of quality assurance; Angelita Millendez has been promoted to finishing manager; and Cathy Rock has been promoted to accounting manager.
Van Son Holland Ink announced the launch of its new Website, www.vansonink.com, which has been completely redesigned to allow printers easier access to product, service and technical information. The new site also features a 2007 pricing and product guide, FAQ page, streamlined technical support channels and dealer locators. Additionally, the Website provides a comprehensive e-commerce section to complete product transactions and take advantage of billing options.
James LaRue has been named as vice president of worldwide manufacturing and supply chain at Presstek. LaRue, a printing industry veteran, has held supply chain management positions with Eastman Kodak, Kodak Polychrome Graphics and OKI Data.
Prism Group Holdings has appointed Filip Buyse as CEO and president of its global operations. Before joining Prism, Buyse served as vice president of sales for MAN Roland and, prior to that, regional vice president of sales for Heidelberg Web Systems.
Chris Cox is the new executive director of the Print Suppliers Group, a consortium of independent ink companies throughout North America. Cox most recently served for 11 years with Sun Chemical in sales management. He also formerly served in technical sales for Superior Ink.
NELA, a register control and plate automation company, recently reduced the web width at 28 newspaper locations, including the St. Petersburg Times, San Jose Mercury News, Richmond Times and New York Times—the latter of which reduced its web width from 54˝ to 48˝. NELA was contracted by the newspapers to provide punchbending equipment, bender modifications and lock-ups.
The promotion of Barclay Laux to the newly created position of sheetfed product specialist has recently been announced by Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses. Laux, formerly demonstrator/trainer at MLP’s demonstration center in Lincolnshire, IL, will assist in field sales support, technical sales development and sales presentations. Veteran demonstrator/trainer Scott Kiecana has been promoted to lead demonstrator.
The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association has elected MGI USA into its membership. MGI manufactures four-color digital presses and a complete line of finishing solutions designed to handle paper and plastic substrates.
An agreement has been announced between interlinkONE, a provider of Web-based marketing software solutions, and Franchise Services, parent company of Sir Speedy and PIP Printing & Document Services. The pact brings a full range of personalized marketing, fulfillment, online ordering, sales, project tools and services to those companies.
