UPFRONT

Neenah to Obtain Fox River
ALPHARETTA, GA—Neenah Paper has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Fox Valley, which owns Fox River Paper. Terms of the deal, which had been expected to close in the first quarter, were not revealed. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is pending approval by Fox River shareholders. Neenah Paper will bolster its fine papers offering with Fox River brands that include Starwhite, Sundance, Esse and Oxford.

Cadmus Nabs LN Printing
RICHMOND, VA—On the heels of its acquisition by Cenveo Inc., Cadmus Communications has entered into an agreement to obtain LexisNexis’ conventional printing operations in Charlottesville, VA, and its digital printing operations in Conklin, NY. Virtually all of Charlottesville’s approximately 90 employees and the 35 employees at Conklin will transfer to Cadmus. The two companies also forged a five-year deal that sees Cadmus provide most of LexisNexis’ printing requirements.

Quebecor World Nets Deal
MONTREAL—Quebecor World has reached a multi-year contract agreement with specialty retailer Williams-Sonoma Inc. to produce a number of catalog titles, including Pottery Barn. The deal includes offset printing, logistics and mail list technologies. Quebecor World will also produce PBteen and Pottery Barn Bed and Bath catalogs. The printer offered Williams-Sonoma a multi-plant solution, which improved overall distribution accuracy, increased production flexibility and reduced cycle time.

Bindery Expert Abrams Passes
ORINDA, CA—Manny Abrams, a former president for Miehle-Goss-Dexter’s Lawson paper cutter division and a well-known figure in the bindery business, passed away on January 26, according to the Printing Association of Florida (PAF). Mr. Abrams turned 88 in January. He died surrounded by his family, according to LaVerne Preece, the director of trade show operations for PAF and the Graphics of the Americas.

Fry Acquires GANCOM
MECHANICSBURG, PA—Web printer Fry Communications has acquired the assets of GANCOM, a digital printing and direct mail services specialist based in Harrisburg, PA. The deal enhances Fry’s capabilities to include variable data printing, programming/list services, lettershop services and direct mail support.

Freedom Graphic Goes Digital
MURRIETA, CA—Freedom Graphic Systems has bolstered its variable data digital printing capacity with the acquisition of two Xerox iGen3 digital color presses for its Aurora, IL, facility. Two more iGen3s have been ordered and will be placed in other Freedom plants later this year. The investment speaks to the company’s aim of producing and entering the mail stream closest to the final destination point.

New Home, Press for Rider
CHICAGO—In addition to getting a bigger facility, Rider Dickerson has invested in some new gear to fill the space. The more than 100-year-old printing company migrated west of downtown this month to Bellwood, IL, into its new, 85,000-square-foot digs. In the process, the company added a four-color Heidelberg XL 105 sheetfed press and Kodak InSite and Matchprint Virtual Proofing (MVP) systems.

ANRO Installs Digital Presses
PHILADELPHIA—ANRO Inc. recently installed two HP Indigo 5000 presses, along with an Indigo s2000. The new machines will help ANRO enhance its comprehensive portfolio in corporate printing, mail, fulfillment and digital media services. An on-site tour of ANRO was provided as part of HP’s GO Digital seminar series.

Canadian Printers Merge
MONTREAL—Phipps Dickson and Integria, a pair of commercial printers based in Quebec, have agreed to merge. The new company, Phipps Dickson Integria, will have 200-plus employees and sales exceeding C$40 million. Phipps Dickson, of LaSalle, Quebec, provides premedia and print production services. Saint-Laurent, Quebec-based Integria serves the United States and Canada.

Freimuth Leaves Fujifilm
VALHALLA, NY—Stanley Freimuth, senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer, has decided to leave Fujifilm U.S.A. after 23 years with the company. It was unclear as to whether Freimuth would leave the industry altogether. He joined Fujifilm in 1983 and grew within the ranks of the company’s graphic arts operations.

Print Oasis Draws Over 700
LAS VEGAS—The sixth annual Print Oasis print buyers conference and exhibit held here last month was its most successful yet. Attendance grew a reported 20 percent since last year with more than 700 industry professionals, including over 450 print buyers, marketers and creatives attending the conference. Highlights included educational seminars, optional on-site certification testing and several print buyer panels.

Lehigh Workers Unionize
PENNSAUKEN, NJ—Employees at Lehigh Press, including prepress, pressroom and finishing workers, voted 95-37 on February 1 to join the Graphic Communications Con­ference International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 14-M, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Lehigh is owned by Visant Corp. of Armonk, NY.

Abitibi-Consolidated Idles Mill
MONTREAL—Abitibi-Consolidated idled its Fort William paper mill in Thunder Bay, Ontario, citing market conditions, high production costs and the need to reduce costs. Fort William produces commercial printing papers. Its 265 mill employees, and 88 more associated with the woodlands operations, are impacted by the shutdown.