SUPPLIER news
MBO America Hosts "Octoberfest"
WESTAMPTON, NJ—More than 150 existing clients and prospects, representing both commercial printers and trade binderies, attended MBO America's open house, which was held over three days recently at its headquarters facility here.
With more than a dozen pieces of equipment specially set up for the open house, highlights included a B26-S/644 Perfection buckle folder equipped with an ASP-66ME mobile stream delivery unit, a Navigator control system with touchscreen interface and networked to MBO's Data Manager digital integration software.
Also, the highest interest was over a B30-S/4 Perfection folder with a preslitter shaft unit, configured with a Herzog & Heymann (H&H) 392-72 slitting/perforating/scoring unit, a PCT 201 post card tipper, a VTB 46 vacuum transport belt and an ASP-66ME mobile stream delivery unit.
A 28˝, 12-plate H&H map folder with a MBO continuous feeder and SBA-P46ME was also highlighted.
International Paper Commercial Printing and Imaging Papers has developed a national competition to recognize excellent printing using brands from International Paper. Any piece printed on Accent Opaque, Springhill, Carolina, Centennial, Williamsburg, Strathmore, Beckett, Via or BriteHue is eligible to enter the annual awards contest. Printers can submit entries now in "The Best Ideas On Paper" awards contest. Entry forms and official contest rules are available by calling 1-800-221-0809 or at www.IPpaper.com/Showcase.
Baldwin Technology announced that John Heald Jr. has resigned as president, CEO and a director of the company. Gerald Nathe, chairman and currently a director of the company, has been elected to the offices of president and CEO, following the resignation of Heald. Nathe was formerly CEO of Baldwin from 1995 through 2001 and served as president from 1993 through 2001. In other company news, Baldwin has completed the previously announced sale of substantially all of the assets of the Baldwin Kansa Corp. to Kansa Technology LLC in exchange for the assumption of specified liabilities and approximately $3.8 million in cash.
Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) has appointed William DeMarco to the newly created position of worldwide director, consulting and solutions business. He currently services as KPG's worldwide product manager, digital halftone proofing hardware and systems. KPG also announced that it has reached a basic agreement with Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. (MCC) to acquire the plate business in Japan of MCC Group (MCC and Mitsubishi Chemical Media, a subsidiary of MCC).
After 40 years in the printing industry and the last 11 years as president and CEO of KBA North America, Sheetfed Div., Allan Malachuk has handed over the reins of the company to Ralf Sammeck. Malachuk will continue as a member of the board of directors.
Esko-Graphics, of Gent, Belgium, announced the appointment of Carsten Knudsen as CFO/COO and a member of the executive management board. Most recently he held the position of CFO for Maersk in North America.
Printcafe Software has been named one of America's entrepreneurial growth leaders by Inc magazine, which released its 2002 Inc 500 ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Printcafe, which became a public company in June of 2002, was eligible for the ranking because it was private during the period measured, 1997-2001. Printcafe was ranked 243 with 927 percent growth in the past five years.
Pace Systems, a Jacksonville, FL-based developer of business management software for the printing industry, has appointed Ed Schneider as COO.
Printable Technologies and Prism USA jointly announced the first PrintTalk-based integration to be used in production between a Web-based print ordering system and a print management information system.
A.B.Dick has changed to direct sales and service in several states. Changes in the distribution channels for sales, service and support have already taken place in Florida and Texas. Other markets in the process of change include Des Moines, Indianapolis, Youngstown, OH, central Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, DC. Company officials report it has increased the direct sales staff by 20 percent to accommodate the changes.
Epson America announced its EPSON Stylus Pro 7600 and EPSON Stylus Pro 9600 have received SWOP (Specification for Web Offset Publications) certification in combination with EPSON UltraChrome ink, EPSON Semimatte proofing paper and the Colorproof XXL RIP from Best GmbH. The certification recognizes that these printing systems meet SWOP's strict industry guidelines for commercial proofing applications, producing images that are consistent and accurate with those of final web offset-printed images.
Flint Ink and the SICPA Group have agreed in principle to several business transactions. Flint Ink will acquire SICPA's worldwide heatset and coldset ink business and SICPA will acquire Flint Ink's worldwide security ink (for currency, stamps, etc.) business. The companies expect to finalize the transactions by the end of the year, following completion of due diligence and the grant of necessary board approvals.
Baumfolder Corp. has appointed Ulrik Nygaard as its new president and CEO. A 30+-year industry veteran, he previously spent 17 years with Heidelberg Postpress.
Independent Machinery Inc. (IMI) designated November as "Focus on Service" month to promote its newly expanded parts department and service program. Expanded service offerings now include equipment inspection, dismantling/relocation, and repair and installation for all finishing equipment.
Day International has reorganized the sales team for its Image Transfer Group in North America. The team members include: Greg Johnson, vice president of sales; Dennis Florek, director of sales, Western region; Barry Neal, director of sales and general manager, Canadian operations; Matthew Railean, director of sales, Southern region; Jay Thorpe, director of sales, Northeast region; John Sisson, director of sales, Midwest region; and Al Strake, director of sales, Midwest region.
Stora Enso North America has announced the following appointments in its magazine and publication papers business segments: Michael Glynn, vice president, magazine and publication papers; Craig DeRusha, executive director, magazine papers; and Scott Stensby, executive director, publication papers.
Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (MLP U.S.A.) has created the 300 Million Impressions Club to recognize the presses and owners who have met this milestone. Recognition plaques and a special trophy are being presented to qualifying customers. The first to participate was The Standard Group's Southern Standard Cartons, located in Louisville, KY.
Goss International moved to a new facility in Bolingbrook, IL, located in the western suburbs of Chicago, in November. The new 125,000-square-foot facility will house Goss' global corporate offices, plus it will be the focus for all sales, parts, service, enhancements, engineering and systems activities.
Sun Chemical has acquired a 50 percent interest in Assemblage Intermoleculaire en Chimie Organique (AIC), a special effect pigments, additives and inks company based in Libourne, France. Martin Cellérier, director of strategic planning, Sun Chemical Europe, will lead the business.
