UPFRONT
IWCO Direct Changes Hands
CHANHASSEN, MN—Marketing specialist IWCO Direct is changing hands, with Avista Capital Partners acquiring a controlling interest in the company from Court Square Capital Partners. The transaction does not impact day-to-day operations. IWCO Direct’s executive management team will retain their shares in the company and continue to lead it.
Donnelley Sheds Old Names
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has unified its printing and related services offerings under the single RR Donnelley brand. Moore Wallace, Moore Canada, Moore Response Marketing, Moore (in Latin America), OfficeTiger and the company’s network of North American commercial printing facilities have been rebranded as RR Donnelley.
Rechristening for PIA New York
AMHERST, NY—The Printing and Imaging Association of New York State has changed its name to the Printing Industries Alliance. The change is a reflection of the added territory the association reaped following the bankruptcy of the Association of Graphic Communications (AGC). The Alliance covers all of New York state, 10 northern counties in New Jersey, and Erie County in Pennsylvania. This region represents roughly $18 billion in annual sales volume.
Nahan Adds Landmark Press
ST. CLOUD, MN—Nahan Printing has the distinction of obtaining the first 10-unit MAN Roland Rotoman press in North America. The system will incorporate PECOM controls, as well as two MAN Roland high-speed folders. Nahan specializes in high-end commercial printing and direct mail.
Bramkamp Nabs Old Print Plant
CINCINNATI—Bramkamp Printing is tripling its space, and will increase its mailing and fulfillment services, with the move to the former S. Rosenthal & Co. plant in Blue Ash, OH, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The former Spring Grove Village printer is leasing 60,000 square feet in the building. The move was prompted by the company’s sales growth, which is expected to reach $10 million by 2010, the Enquirer reported.
Hi-Liter Inks Deal for Plus Cos.
BURLINGTON, WI—Hi-Liter Graphics has signed a letter of intent to acquire Plus Companies of Menomonee Falls, WI. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Plus Companies has two business units, C-t-Plus and Plus Digital Print, that will operate as wholly owned subsidiaries following the deal. Dennis Redman, founder of Plus Companies, will remain with the firm as an executive.
Hirt, 74, Founded Primary Color
FALLBROOK, CA—Walter Hirt, 74, founder of Primary Color with facilities in El Segundo and Costa Mesa, CA, died July 1 at his home here. A native of Nice, France, Mr. Hirt became a member of the Switzerland armed forces and traveled extensively. He opened Primary Color in 1985. The company is run by his sons, Mike, Ron and Dan.
Bernadette Buys Jet Envelope
HAZELWOOD, MO—Bernadette Print Group recently acquired St. Louis-based Jet Envelope. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Formed in 1984, Jet Envelope produces printed envelopes and letterhead for the trade only. Its operation will be relocated to Bernadette’s facility.
Journal Sells Select Assets
MILWAUKEE—The community newspapers and shoppers subsidiary of Journal Communications has agreed to sell its publishing and printing assets in Vermont, Connecticut and Ohio. The sales price for the assets, including an earlier sale of Louisiana-based holdings, is roughly $30 million. Journal Community Publishing Group signed agreements to sell its Connecticut and Vermont clusters to Hersam Acorn Community Publishing. The operations being sold consist of two printing facilities, 11 community newspapers and five shoppers.
Visant Nets Book Specialist
ARMONK, NY—Visant Corp. has acquired Milwaukee-based Visual Systems (VSI), a supplier of overhead transparencies and book components. Visant purchased all of the outstanding stock of VSI. The results of VSI will be reported under Visant’s marketing and publishing services segment. VSI ranked 247th on the 2006 PRINTING IMPRESSIONS 400 with sales of $20 million.
Merger for Paxar and Avery
WHITE PLAINS, NY—The shareholders of Paxar Corp. approved the merger deal with Avery Dennison and Alpha Acquisition, a wholly owned subsidiary of Avery Dennison. Paxar submitted a request to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for delisting.
New Digs for Brandon’s Printing
NORCROSS, GA—Brandon’s Printing purchased a 44,000-square-foot building in an industrial complex here for $1.55 million, the Gwinnett Business Journal of Lawrenceville, GA, reported. The complex, which includes 38,000 square feet of warehouse space, was formerly owned by Data Supplies.
Freedom Boosts Digital Output
MILTON, WI—Freedom Graphic Systems has ordered two Xerox iGen3 110 digital production presses, only six months after installing a pair of 110s. The additions are designed to meet growing demand for personalized direct mail campaigns.
InnerWorkings Adds Company
CHICAGO—InnerWorkings has acquired Brown+Partners, a provider of print management services based in the Philadelphia suburb of Blue Bell, PA. InnerWorkings procures printed products for industries, including advertising, publishing and retail.
Correction
In the June Printer News section, FLM Graphics was incorrectly identified as having its headquarters in Princeton, NJ. The company has a facility in Princeton, but is based in Fairfield, NJ.
