SUPPLIER news

Folder Operators Go Back to School

WESTAMPTON, NJ—Twelve folding machine operators representing seven different companies came to MBO America headquarters recently to participate in 2.5 days of in-depth, hands-on training at the MBO Fold School. Trainees were able to observe or operate three different folding machines, including the automated Perfection. Directed by Dave Trutzenbach, an authority on binding operations and equipment, the MBO Folding School provides the opportunity for operators to improve their knowledge and proficiency regardless of their skill level.

NAK Marketing & Communications, an agency that has served many of the leading brands in the graphic arts industry for over 14 years, has launched a new enterprise called MarketingMentors. The new division is dedicated to helping printers, prepress providers and trade binderies market their capabilities and sell their services.

Visitors to the Xanté Corp. exhibit at the recent Gutenberg Festival had a chance to learn more about Xanté's products and take some home for free. Three attendees went home as the winner of a Xanté AW1200 monochrome tabloid printer—armed with Adobe PostScript 3 and sized for desktop proofing. Luis Lopez of North Hollywood, CA-based AAA Printing & Design Solutions; Allan Chan of Cortland, OH-based RPrint.com; and Bruce Reynolds of Victorville, CA-based Reynolds Lithograph were winners of the AW1200s, awarded in daily drawings.

Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) has completed the acquisition of RealTimeImage's Graphic Arts Division, giving customers a complete range of monitor and remote proofing options. KPG also has acquired Bell Microproducts Solutions' PageComposer workflow software.

NexPress Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastman Kodak, announced its new management team. The company has hired more than 350 sales and service personnel from Heidelberg's market centers, who will represent both NexPress 2100 and Digimaster product portfolios. NexPress Solutions continues under the leadership of President and CEO Venkat Purushotham, who has served in that role since the company was formed in 1998. Other appointments include: Art Carroll, COO and senior vice president; Chris Payne, vice president and chief marketing officer; Andy Matthews, vice president and CFO; Arun Chowdry, vice president and chief technical officer; Jim Brault, vice president of human resources; Mark Weber, senior vice president, indirect sales partnerships; Alexander van Meeuwen, regional general manager, Americas region; Paul Willems, regional general manager, Europe, Africa, Middle East region (EAMER); and Peter Foley, regional general manager, Asia Pacific region.

Larry Warter, director of new business development for Enovation Graphic Systems, has been honored by two industry organizations: The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) of the GATF and the Research & Engineering (R&E) Council of NAPL recently bestowed their organizations' awards on Warter. The PGSF honored Warter with the Harold W. Gegenheimer Award, which honors outstanding service by a board member. Warter also received the John L. Kronenberg Industry Leadership Award from NAPL's R&E Council.

Bemis Co. has named Peter Mathias president of MACtac North America, Bemis Co.'s global pressure-sensitive materials business. Prior to joining Bemis, Mathias was president of the North American food packaging business of Alcan.

The parts sales team at MAN Roland continues to grow with the recent appointment of Doug Still to the position of parts marketing manager.

After acquiring the Valmet Converting operations of the Metso Corp., Bobst Group has split-off the sheeter line and made it a part of its folding carton line of products. Renamed Apollo sheeters, this new part of the folding carton business area has assigned Bob Preddy as its product line manager.

Precisia LLC, a developer of advanced printed electronics technologies, announced that it is the first company in the world to produce fully functional radio frequency identification (RFID) tags with high-speed printed antennas in one location.

Gämmerler launched a new corporate identity at Drupa 2004. The new identity is underscored with the tag line "Solutions that Move Print," created to highlight Gämmerler's focus on solving customers' material handling problems and anticipating their future needs. To fully align the company with the new image, Gämmerler has updated the color of its products from light grey to silver.

Stora Enso and Finnish specialist software provider Stockway have started cooperation to develop a smart packaging solution based on radio frequency identification (RFID). Among other benefits, Stora Enso's smart packaging application is said to create added value for customers through improved logistics, better product safety and online control over the supply chain.

X-Rite has appointed Bill Bieger as global account manager, graphic arts. In this role, Bieger assumes responsibility for the global sales of X-Rite's key select accounts.

Bill Eshmont, former CFO of Domino Amjet, has been promoted to the position of company president.

Muller Martini has appointed Steve Larcher as its regional sales manager in Southern California and Southern Nevada. Recently, Larcher was involved in selling digital printing solutions for Xerox and Heidelberg.

Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging has formed a strategic partnership with basysPrint to sell, service and support the complete line of basysPrint CtcP systems in the United States.

Presstek Inc. and Precision Lithograining have signed an agreement for Presstek to acquire Precision in a cash transaction valued at approximately $13 million. Subject to customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2004. The companies are planning to maintain their respective operations, with Precision operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Presstek.

Agfa announced a new product in the company's Expert Services portfolio. Color Management Systems (CMS) Consultancy is a service offered by Agfa's experts and engineers in which they analyze the entire flow of image files from initial delivery to the printed result. The consultants provide practical guidelines for standardizing and optimizing color accuracy and consistency throughout the production process. In other news, Chris LaFontaine has joined the Agfa Graphic Systems marketing team.

Esko-Graphics has hired Michael Truman as territory sales manager responsible for sales in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and the western and northern parts of Wisconsin.

Dr. James Rogers has been appointed director, new business development, for Flint Ink. Rogers succeeds Leonard Walle, who retired in June following 33 years of service. Rogers previously held the position of technical director of analytical chemistry and physical sciences.

Michael Bauernfeind has assumed responsibility as the new director of software engineering for Nela. Also, David Kurz is a new member of Nela's customer service department.

Distributor GraphLine and blanket converter CNI Graphics have entered into an agreement granting GraphLine exclusive rights as the North American importer, distributor and converter of Airdot offset blankets.

Secap announced a strategic alliance with Satori Software offering a Secap Edition of Satori's Bulk Mailer 5 Professional and Bulk Mailer 5 Standard.

KBA North America has named Randy Perkins its new district sales manager to cover northern California, the northwest United States and southwest Canada.

Inland Newspaper Machinery has entered into an agreement with Dauphin Graphic Machines and George R. Hall Contracting by which Inland will begin the exclusive worldwide marketing of Americolor four-high double-width newspaper press towers.

Base-Line Inc. is officially under new ownership. Howard Harper purchased Base-Line from its former owner and CEO, Grant Beck. Harper brings more than 30 years of experience to the 55-year-old company.

Baldwin Technology has signed a long-term Private Label Consumables Distribution agreement with Printers' Service Co. (Prisco). This agreement allows Prisco to distribute Baldwin's PREPAC press blanket cleaning technology as the exclusive non-OEM distributor for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. Prisco also has the non-exclusive rights to sell Baldwin cleaning systems and other products in the sheetfed market segment.

The Graphic Arts Marketing Information Service (GAMIS) of PIA/GATF recently elected new officers and board members. The officers for the 2004-2005 term are: President Steve Skal, market manager, RohmNova; Vice President Birgit BackofenRothacker, director, new business development, Flint Ink; Secretary/Treasurer Mark Vanover, director of marketing, Esko-Graphics; and Immediate Past President Eric Frank, vice president, marketing, KBA North America. Newly elected board members are Christina Echevarria, manager of marketing information, Heidelberg Web Systems; John Kalkowski, marketing manager, Sun Chemical; and Jacques Denault, marketing coordinator, Transcontinental Printing.

Roll Systems announced that its board of directors has approved a transaction under which the company would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Böwe Systec International, the company's largest shareholder. The transaction is subject to approval of Roll shareholders.