UPFRONT

Bowne Obtains RSG Digital

NEW YORK—Bowne & Co. has acquired the digital printing business of Rapid Solutions Group, a subsidiary of Janus Capital Group, for $14.5 million. RSG Digital has annual sales of about $45 million. RSG’s digital printing unit operates facilities in Chicago and Melville, NY.

Genesis Printing Faces Attacks

MOONVILLE, SC—Within a span of two weeks, Genesis Printing was the victim of two separate incidents, one involving racist vandalism and, the most recent, a fire that caused $5 million in damage. Police are investigating a possible connection between the two attacks on the printer. No injuries were reported due to the fire, which forced the company to close down, co-owner Larry Kudeviz told a local television station. On March 17, symbols of hatred and coarse language were found spray-painted on the outside of the building, followed thereafter by the fire suspected to be the result of arson.

Merrill Relocates Facility

ST. PAUL, MN—Merrill Corp. has completed the relocation of its Woburn, MA, printing and fulfillment operations to Tewksbury, MA. All 106 employees were transferred to the new facility, which has expanded Merrill’s production and warehouse space. The move is expected to improve the company’s workflow and capabilities. A conveyor system has been added here, and the company plans to update digital color printing capabilities and acquire additional finishing gear.

Plastic Card Company Acquired

FORT LEE, NJ—American Banknote, parent company of ABnote Group, has acquired Keystone Manufacturing (Plastics) of Toronto for an undisclosed amount of cash. Keystone is a leading producer of plastic cards. Keystone President Bud Kronenberg and his management team will continue to direct the company.

Reprieve for Closed Print Shop

HOLYOKE, MA—The defunct Mansir Holden Printing has been acquired by three of its former employees, who reopened the facility on March 31, according to The Republican of Springfield, MA. Douglas Reil, Harry Chapman and Todd Collier purchased the plant at auction on March 13, the newspaper reported.

Taylor Adds Lillian Vernon

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO—Current USA, a subsidiary of Taylor Corp., has reached an agreement to acquire Lillian Vernon Corp. of Virginia Beach, VA. The deal was scheduled to close April 10. Lillian Vernon is a 56-year-old national catalog and online retailer that markets gifts, household, children’s and fashion accessory products.

SUV Wrecks Printing Facility

ADA, MI—An SUV crashed its way through the front of Falcon Printing’s facility here on April 3. No injuries were reported and police were still investigating exactly how the accident happened.

Printer Renames, Expands

BUFFALO GROVE, IL—Des Plaines Printing (DPP) is changing its name to John S. Swift of Des Plaines (JSSCO) to reflect the common ownership between DPP and the John S. Swift Co. JSSCO is also expanding its printing facility here with about 16,000 square feet of additional space to house two web offset presses and ancillary equipment.

New XXL Press for Allied Litho

KANSAS CITY, MO—Allied Litho has signed a contract to purchase a new 73˝, six-color MAN Roland 900 XXL sheetfed press. It will replace a four-color Roland 800 and is slated to be installed this summer. Co-owner Mike Heier believes that by running two 36x50˝ cofigurations, it will make Allied Litho more cost-competitive.

Domtar Sells Grades to SMART

MONTREAL—Domtar Corp. has sold its text, cover and writing product line of papers to SMART Papers of Hamilton, OH. SMART Papers is an independent manufacturer and marketer of premium cast-coated, matte-coated and uncoated printing papers. Domtar grades designated by the sales agreement included Solutions, Feltweave, Nekoosa Linen, Nekoosa Bond, Nekoosa 25 percent Cotton, Proterra and Skytone.

Konica Buys Danka Unit

RAMSEY, NJ—Konica Minolta Business Solutions has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Danka Office Imaging (DOIC) from Danka Business Systems. DOIC is a wholly owned U.S. operating subsidiary of Danka. DOIC generated roughly $450 million in total revenues for its latest fiscal year. The deal is expected to increase Konica Minolta’s U.S. distribution to enterprise customers, while expanding its range of services and support capabilities.

MeadWestvaco Sells Kraft Mill

RICHMOND, VA—MeadWestvaco Corp. has signed a definitive agreement to sell its kraft paper mill in North Charleston, SC, to KapStone Paper and Packaging for $485 million in cash, subject to certain closing adjustments. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter.

Staples Eyes an Acquisition

FRAMINGHAM, MA—Office products giant Staples Inc. is making a run at acquiring Corporate Express, having secured $3 billion in financing commitments toward its $3.67 billion offer. Corporate Express, which is based in Amsterdam but operates nine printing plants in the United States, has rejected the offer, claiming it is too low.

Temp Layoffs at RRD Plant

CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN—Workers at RR Donnelley’s book manufacturing plant here found themselves temporarily unemployed in mid-April when a lack of production work put them out of work for three days, the Lafayette Journal & Courier reported. The facility employs 1,400, but it was not known how many Donnelley workers would be briefly laid off.