UPFRONT
Quebecor World Endures Loss
MONTREAL—Embattled printing giant Quebecor World was socked with a loss of $21.1 million for the second quarter, or 20 cents a share. That is more than three times the $6.5 million (11 cents) net loss from the same period in 2006. Even so, Wes Lucas, Quebecor World president and CEO, reported that the North American operations produced significantly improved earnings, especially in the book and magazine divisions, where the firm’s retooling and restructuring program has been completed.
Fire Strikes NJ Newspaper
TRENTON, NJ—Contractors dismantling a printing press at The Times of Trenton accidentally ignited a fire, that newspaper reported. There were no injuries and the fire was quickly put out. The Times had previously merged some production facilities with the Newark Star-Ledger in Piscataway, NJ, and the decommissioned press was being moved from a facility that is for sale.
Arandell Expanding Mega Plant
MENOMONEE FALLS, WI—Arandell Corp. is adding a 106,000-square-foot addition to its existing plant here, making its overall size in excess of 565,000 square feet. The addition will house new perfect binding equipment to be acquired in the future.
Donnelley Down $69.4M in Q2
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley reported a net loss of $69.4 million for the second quarter, compounded by $330.5 million in pretax charges, virtually all of which covered the company’s writedown of the value of trade names for acquired companies Moore Wallace and Office Tiger.
Domtar Slices Paper Capacity
MONTREAL—Domtar Corp. announced it is permanently closing its Canadian paper mill in Gatineau, Quebec, and a converting center in Ottawa. The company is also shutting down paper machines at its Woodland mill in Baileyville, ME, and its Port Edwards, WI, mill. The moves stem from a review of Domtar’s overall production capacity. The company cited excess capacity and cost. Roughly 150 jobs will be lost at the Woodland mill and 30 at Port Edwards.
X-Rite Obtains Pantone Inc.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Color management solutions provider X-Rite Inc. has struck a deal to obtain Pantone Inc. for $180 million. The deal is expected to close this fall. Pantone, based in Carlstadt, NJ, is known for its PANTONE Matching System, which identifies, matches and communicates colors to solve reproduction problems in the graphic arts market.
xpedx Adding Central Lewmar
LOVELAND, OH—Paper and graphics supplies distributor xpedx will acquire the Central Lewmar companies based in Newark, NJ, from private equity firm Chrysalis Capital Partners for about $185 million. Central Lewmar, which distributes printing and publishing papers, recorded more than $900 million in revenues for 2006.
Cenveo to Close Tukwila Plant
TUKWILA, WA—Cenveo will close its commercial printing facility here October 19, leaving 68 employees without a job, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The newspaper attributed the information to the state Employment Security Department, which received a warning notice from Cenveo.
Hillsboro Printing Shuttered
TAMPA, FL—Unable to pay its rent, Hillsboro Printing was forced out of its facility here on July 27, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The closing left 50 employees without work. Leaseholder Liberty Property Financial filed a complaint alleging that Hillsboro owed $95,000 in rent payments. Hillsboro Printing was sold by Leonard Levy to Hillsboro Acquisition Corp. in 2005.
48HourPrint.com Adds Gear
BOSTON—Online printer 48HourPrint.com has bolstered production capabilities at both its Cleveland and Phoenix plants with the acquisition of new equipment. The gear includes TEC Lighting 30˝ UV roller coaters, Secap Jet 1 tabbing machines and Count Machinery Number Jet XLS.
American Color Signs Pact
NASHVILLE—American Color has been awarded a multiyear contract by The Washington Post to produce the newspaper’s Total Market Coverage (TMC) program. TMC production will take place at American Color’s Dayton, NJ, facility. American’s TMC facilities enable newspapers to offer their customers advertising distribution at the household level, primarily through the mail, at a fraction of the cost of solo mail.
Stora Beats Price Fixing Rap
HELSINKI, FINLAND—Paper manufacturer Stora Enso Oyj says it has been acquitted of charges in the United States that it participated in a paper price-fixing conspiracy. The company reported that it had been found not guilty by a federal grand jury in Hartford, CT. Last December, Stora was indicted for its alleged anticompetitive conduct in connection with the sale of coated magazine paper in the United States in 2002 and 2003.
Anro Purchases New Home
WEST CHESTER, PA—Anro Inc. has purchased the former Electronics Boutique Holdings headquarters and distribution center here, with the intention of relocating and consolidating its operations into the 142,000-square-foot facility, the Philadelphia Business Journal reported. Anro, with Pennsylvania locations in Devon, Malvern and Strafford, produces sheetfed and digital printing, with ancillary offerings including mailing and fulfillment.
FedEx Kinko’s Targets Growth
DALLAS—FedEx Kinko’s announced an expansion plan to open 300 new office and print centers in the United States throughout fiscal 2008. The company also plans to redesign 110 existing centers and introduce 20 new locations internationally. FedEx Kinko’s currently has 1,700-plus locations.
