UPFRONT
Workers Say No to Union
MONTREAL—An independent arbitrator has ruled there is no need to hold a re-run election for union representation at Quebecor World’s Covington, TN, facility, as requested by the Teamsters. The decision upholds a secret ballot election in which those employees opted against union representation. As part of the decision, it was ruled that Quebecor World’s conduct did not adhere to the neutrality provisions of the May 2005 Neutrality Agreement signed by the printer and Teamsters.
CGX Finishes Nies/Artcraft Deal
HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics has completed the acquisition of St. Louis-based Nies/Artcraft Companies, which includes Nies/Artcraft Printing, Valcour Printing and Impression Label. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Compass Capital Partners represented the selling interests in the transaction.
Durbin Named CEO of Vertis
BALTIMORE—President Dean Durbin has been appointed the additional role as CEO of Vertis, effective immediately. The CFO from 2000 to 2005, Durbin was named president in 2004, then handed the job of COO in early 2005. Former CEO Donald Roland will remain on the Vertis board of directors as non-executive chairman.
Bennett, 70, Was Quad Pioneer
SUSSEX, WI—Carl Bennett, 70, a confidant of the late Harry V. Quadracci who played a pivotal role in the founding of Quad/Graphics, lost his battle with cancer on January 21. Mr. Bennett and Quadracci became close while working for printer W.A. Krueger Co. in the late 1960s. After Quadracci left Krueger, the pair remained in touch and Mr. Bennett actually created the original financial projections for starting Quad/Graphics. He officially joined Quad/Graphics in 1977 and rose to the title of senior vice president of sales and administration.
Merrill Corp. Files for IPO
ST. PAUL, MN—Merrill Corp. has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The proposed offering will include shares sold by Merrill and certain company stockholders. The number of shares to be offered and the price range have yet to be determined.
Schawk, Union Make Peace
DES PLAINES, IL—Schawk Inc. and a Teamsters local union have reached an agreement over the closing of Schawk’s prepress facility in New York City. Local One of the Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters had made claims of discrimination against the printer following the decision to close the shop in 2005. Operations were consolidated into a larger shop acquired from Seven Worldwide, and only about half of the employees from the closed branch were retained.
Cenveo Starts Trust Fund
STAMFORD, CT—Cenveo plans to start a Canadian income trust fund, the Supremex Income Fund. The fund will acquire and hold all common shares of Supremex Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of stock and custom envelopes and related products. The Supremex Income Fund, an independent entity established by Cenveo in Canada, has filed a preliminary prospectus in connection with its initial public offering of units.
Equity Firm Nets Pamarco
ROSELLE, NJ—The private equity firm of J.P. Knotts & Co. has acquired Pamarco Technologies, whose subsidiaries include Pamarco Global Graphics, Accel Graphic Systems, Chicago Manifold Products and Diamond Holding. Pamarco Global manufactures laser engraved ceramic and chrome anilox rolls. Accel produces ink management, dampening and drying systems, among other products. Chicago Manifold makes rubber rollers and replacement rollers while Diamond Holding specializes in rollers and a line of low-VOC roller washes.
Donnelley to Process for XBRL
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has secured an exclusive agreement with EDGAR Online to process and file financial information into eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) format. The Donnelley-EDGAR partnership provides a tool for enabling public companies to respond to the SEC’s call for increased use of interactive data.
McNaughton & Gunn Goes ISO
SALINE, MI—McNaughton & Gunn, a $30 million book printer, has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management. The certification focuses on what the organization does to fulfill its customers’ quality requirements and enhance their satisfaction, as well as achieve performance improvement.
Goss Mulls Facility Changes
BOLINGBROOK, IL—Goss International is proposing a restructuring of its operations in Preston, England. The program would retain the Preston site as a key facility for research and development, project management, sales and support services, while relocating some activities to other Goss facilities.
GDS Expands West
NEW YORK—Global Document Solutions, a provider of electronic and print-based customer communications, has acquired Best Strategy of Hayward, CA. Best Strategy is an integrator of on-demand printing, mailing and Web technologies, providing services ranging from data distribution management and digital printing to creative design.
Two Nuveras for EU Services
ROCKVILLE, MD—EU Services has installed a pair of Xerox Nuvera 144 laser monochrome presses, the first such installation in North America. The printer will use the presses to perform variable data personalization on direct mail components.
