SUPPLIER news
Enovation Graphic Systems announced the formation of Arkin Graphics, which will be based in Flushing, NY. The new company was created to acquire the graphic arts products distribution business from Arkin-Medo Inc. As an Enovation company, Arkin Graphics will continue to serve the companies and customers that Arkin-Medo established over the past 80 years.
Creo Inc. has appointed Jonathan Agger as product marketing manager for scanning solutions in North America and Latin America. He has held positions with Agfa, Polaroid Graphic Imaging and Sprockets.com.
Screen (USA) is marking its 35th anniversary with an assessment of its success in satisfying its customers and providing quality products. Results of an opinion survey of 2,000 Screen customers, just completed by State Street Consultants, reports that more than 90 percent of Screen's customers are very happy with Screen and its products. They say their expectations were met or exceeded. Users of Screen's computer-to-plate (CTP) systems are especially happy as indicated by the large number (two-thirds) who say they are more satisfied than expected and the fact that none were dissatisfied. Most would buy Screen products again.
Hewlett-Packard has launched the "HP Impressions" program to promote the benefits of its digital publishing solutions, including HP Indigo digital presses, HP Designjet printers and related workflow management products. The program kicks off with an ambitious nationwide truck tour targeted to printers, graphic design agencies, corporate enterprises and paper manufacturers. The HP Impressions Road Show continues through the summer of 2003.
Sappi Fine Paper North America was honored with the 2002 Maine Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. Governor Angus King presented the award, recognizing the company's pollution prevention efforts at its Somerset mill in Skowhegan. Sappi also received an award for reducing hazardous waste from the Somerset mill by 97 percent. Sappi received the award specifically for its pollution prevention program that reduced phosphorous loading from the mill to the Kennebec River by more than 60 percent.
Heidelberg honored the winners of the national 2002 SkillsUSA Championships for graphic communications during Graph Expo. Winners Emily Bawn and Tracey Steinkraus and their instructors were honored at a dinner on October 6. The honorees also received complimentary passes to the trade show. Later this fall, Heidelberg will install a two-color Printmaster QM 46 press at the schools Bawn and Steinkraus were enrolled in at the time of the competition. Both winners were also awarded a $1,000 scholarship and learning materials on behalf of the Heidelberg Print Media Academy.
Edward Barr has announced his intention to retire as chairman of Sun Chemical Group on January 1, 2003. He will be succeeded by Wes Lucas, the company's current president and CEO. Barr will continue as Sun Chemical's designated senior director of Kodak Polychrome Graphics, the company's prepress joint venture with Eastman Kodak.
A saddle stitching system with automated makeready capabilities will be producing books at GATF's technical center before the year is out. Muller Martini is installing a Prima AMRYS stitcher in the foundation's production center to enhance the group's research and training capabilities. The system will be configured with six pockets and a cover feeder. A commissioning event will be conducted after the system begins its research and training tasks at the foundation.
Presstek Inc. announced that John Ellis has joined the company as eastern region DI business manager. Ellis is now responsible for supporting the xpedx Import Group and the Ryobi 3404DI press in the east. Most recently, he was responsible for sales of electronic imaging equipment to printers at Northeastern Graphic Supply.
Brackett Inc. was recently purchased by its president and CEO, J.M. "Mike" Murray, and his wife Shirley. Brackett creates, builds and distributes a wide variety of bindery equipment for padding, chipboard inserting, stripping, as well as paper jogging.
CPS, the INX International Ink branch in Dunkirk, NY, says it's the first ink company to hold the 9001:2000 and 14001 ISO certification simultaneously.
Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) has broken ground for a new office building at its operations in Radebeul, Germany. The four-story building is scheduled to be completed in mid-2003.
QTI Asia-Pacific has sold its 50th Register Guidance System in China, adding to the more than 2,000 systems sold worldwide. The register control equipment was installed in September on the first of two Heidelberg M-600 presses at the new R.R. Donnelley printing plant in Shanghai.
Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) announced the appointment of William DeMarco to the newly created position of worldwide director, consulting and solutions business.
Day International has expanded the technical services leadership team for its Image Transfer Group in North America. The team members include: Frank Burkiewicz, manager, technical services; Ron Conti, director, R&D—chemical products; and John Tonkin, vice president and executive manager—web technology center.
Celartem Technology USA has agreed to acquire Extensis Inc. from ImageX Inc. for $9 million in cash proceeds, with up to an additional $2 million due over the next two years if certain revenue targets are met. It will acquire all of Extensis' common stock.
Benny Landa, founder of Indigo and now strategic advisor to Hewlett-Packard Chairman and CEO Carly Fiorina, has been awarded the Edwin H. Land Medal. The Land Medal, jointly awarded by the Optical Society of America and the Society for Imaging Science and Technology, honors pioneering and entrepreneurial creativity that has had a major public impact. The award recognizes Landa's invention, development and commercialization of ink-based electro-photography.
Larry Murray has been named vice president in charge of MAN Roland's new Rapid Response Team. The unit is composed of technicians who utilize advancements like Remote Service Diagnostics and TeleTech to support the company's customers. For the past 12 years, Murray has headed his own company, Interface Network.
SEWICKLEY, PA—Representatives from MAN Roland and several web auxiliary suppliers pose during the recent "Webtoberfest" at the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation. MAN Roland and the auxiliary manufacturers donated a new four-color, shaftless Rotoman heatset web press with various auxiliaries for use as a training and R&D tool.
