UPFRONT

Morgan Promoted at Standard DAYTON, OH—Standard Register has appointed Joseph Morgan Jr. as president and CEO. He was also elected to a seat on Standard’s board of directors. Morgan was named acting CEO last September. He’s also managed the company’s On Demand Solutions Group. Prior to joining Standard Register in 2001, Morgan served in executive roles at eflatbed.com and Sony Chemical.

Transcontinental Makes Deal

MONTREAL—Transcontinental Inc. has acquired Conversys Inc., a Canadian print-to-Web provider that specializes in the seamless transformation of print marketing materials, such as flyers and catalogs, into rich, interactive Web content that is user-friendly and brand-consistent across multiple channels. The acquisition complements Transcontinental’s existing printing and interactive communications offering to major retailers.

Sandy Arm Acquires Indigos

CLIFTON, NJ—eSA Solutions, the digital technology subsidiary of Sandy Alexander, has installed two seven-color HP Indigo 7000 digital color presses in conjunction with relocating to a new facility in the corporate headquarters here. eSA Solutions was formerly located in Fairfield, NJ. The move will enable eSA to reduce the carbon footprint of its digital operation by taking advantage of synergies in administration, prepress, bindery, transportation and fulfillment.

Domtar Cuts Freesheet Output

MONTREAL—Domtar Corp. will permanently reduce its fine paper manufacturing at its Plymouth, NC, mill by shutting down one of the two paper machines comprising the mill’s fine paper production unit. This will eliminate 293,000 short tons of the mill’s uncoated freesheet production capacity. Domtar plans to reduce staff across various parts of the mill by approximately 185 employees.

VistaPrint Still Thriving Online

HAMILTON, BERMUDA—VistaPrint Ltd. posted a 32 percent increase in revenues during the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the same period the previous year, climbing from $105 million to $138.9 million. The online printer reported gaining roughly 1.5 million new customers for the quarter ending December 31, 2008. Repeat clients generated about 65 percent of total bookings in the second quarter, up 2 percent from the same quarter a year ago.

manroland Plans Cutbacks

WESTMONT, IL—The manroland supervisory board agreed to trim 515 jobs in indirect functions in the Sheetfed Press Business sector in Offenbach, Germany, and 110 jobs in indirect functions in the Web Press Business sector in Augsburg, Germany, for 2009 and 2010. In addition, the Mainhausen factory located outside of Frankfurt, Germany, will be closed and the product lines assembled there will be integrated into the main sheetfed press factory in Offenbach.

Conlin’s Buys Pair of iGen4s

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA—Conlin’s Digital Print and Copy Center has obtained a pair of Xerox iGen4 digital color presses. Conlin’s is using the new devices to produce full-color booklets, brochures, manuals and postcards. Its clientele includes the advertising, legal and real estate markets.

New Leader at Finch Paper

GLENS FALLS, NY—Finch Paper has appointed former SCA Tissue-North America executive Joseph Raccuia as president and CEO of the uncoated printing paper manufacturer. The 50-year-old Raccuia succeeds Richard Carota, 71, who retired as president and CEO after 53 years with Finch. Carota will continue in his role as chairman of the company’s board of directors and chairman of the board’s executive committee.

Printing Cuts for Newspaper

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Capital Gazette Communications, which publishes the daily newspaper The Capital, is cutting 111 positions and will now outsource its printing, the paper reported. The cuts represent 29 percent of the company’s full-time workforce. Its press and mailroom operations were set to close March 1, resulting in the loss of 31 full-time and 51 part-time employees. Comprint Printing, which is owned by a division of The Washington Post, began printing the company’s papers on March 2.

Gilson Acquires Integra Assets

GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Gilson Graphics has purchased certain assets of Integra Inc., creating a company with projected annual sales of $30 million. Gilson is now able to offer its customers products and services such as offset and digital printing (including large formats), perfect binding, UV coating, aqueous coating and diecutting. Creative and mailing services are among the other capabilities garnered in the acquisition. Peter Schaefer and Jim Russell of Compass Capital Partners, of Berwyn, PA, represented Integra in the transaction.

Deluxe Brand Consolidates

ST. PAUL, MN—Checks Unlimited, a Deluxe Corp. brand, is moving some operations from Colorado Springs, CO, to facilities in Kansas City and Salt Lake City, according to KOAA-TV in Colorado Springs. The move will result in the loss of 100 printing jobs. Employees can apply for organization jobs in other cities. The 700-member call center will remain open there.

Invite Gets Braille Printing

CLIFTON, KY—The inauguration of our nation’s 44th president, Barack Obama, prompted a special printing by the American Printing House for the Blind. The printer produced 150 braille-version copies of the Presidential Inaugural Guide Book, which were sent to the Presidential Inaugural Committee for distribution at the inauguration, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported. It was thought to be the first time the guide book has been transcribed into braille.