UPFRONT
Phoenix Press Bolsters Bindery
NEW HAVEN, CT—Improved service and faster turnaround time expectations prompted Phoenix Press' acquisition of five new pieces of bindery equipment. The company added a Rollem TR system for two-directional perforating, scoring and slitting. Phoenix also added a Sterling Punchmaster and Rilecart TP-480 binding machine. A Sterling S59 gatherer/collator and a Corta PB04 paper drilling machine round out the acquisitions.
Scripps Adds Web Offset Presses
STUART, FL—As part of its plan to consolidate its three daily newspapers in a new $45 million production facility, Scripps Treasure Coast Publishing has ordered a pair of MAN Roland Regioman web offset presses. Production will include zoned editions, community newspapers and various niche publications. The presses are slated for delivery in January 2004.
White Leaves Consolidated
HOUSTON—Charles F. White, president and COO of Consolidated Graphics, resigned his post at the end of July. In other company news, the acquisition of Baltimore-based sheetfed printer S&S Graphics has been completed. Also the company has relaunched its Website, www.consolidatedgraphics.com.
Woods Retires After 40-Plus Years
PHOENIX—Frank Woods, president and co-founder of Woods Lithographics, has announced his retirement. Woods, a 1996 Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame inductee, co-founded the company in 1978 with wife Barbara. Woods has also been honored as the 1995 GATF/NAPL Sheetfed Printer of the Year, has received the Arizona State University Zeke Prust Award and was inducted into the Walter E. Soderstrom Society.
Man Kills Production Workers, Self
PROVIDENCE, RI—Two workers were fatally shot and another wounded after a disgruntled employee opened fire in a newspaper production plant, and later turned the gun on himself. Brandishing a .45-caliber Smith & Wesson, Carlos Pacheco, 38, fatally shot Robert Benetti, 38, and wounded Charles Johnson, 38, during his June 8 shooting spree at the Providence Journal production plant. Ten minutes later, Pacheco killed Matthew Fandetti, 29, in the victim's Warwick, RI, home before committing suicide. All four people involved were Journal production employees. The Providence Journal reported that Johnson is doing well.
Rhino Embarks on Expansion
RICHMOND, BC—Rhino Print Solutions announced a $3 million capital expansion project that sees the Western Canadian printer add new Heidelberg equipment. Rhino acquired Heidelberg CTP prepress technology, including Prinergy Connect PDF workflow and a Topsetter 102 thermal CTP system. The company also picked up a six-color, 40˝ Speedmaster CD 102 with coater to address Rhino's catalog and publication needs.
American Spirit Adds Capabilities
MINNEAPOLIS—American Spirit Graphics announced it has acquired Gage Lettershop Services of Howard Lake, MN. Gage will now operate as American Spirit Mailing. With the acquisition, American Spirit Graphics gains Gage's 50 multi-station inserters, personalization, poly and assorted specialty mailing formats. Operations will be integrated within American Spirit Graphics' four-facility, multi-state organization.
Sappi Names Top Printer Winners
BOSTON—Six submissions out of more than 3,500 were chosen as Gold Award winners in Sappi's North American Printer of the Year competition. The six printers—Quebecor World Acme (annual reports); Premier Press (books); E. John Schmitz & Sons (brochures); Toppan Printing America (catalogs); Quebecor World Graphique Couleur (magazines); and Belk Printing Technologies (general) will compete in the Sappi International Printer of the Year competition this October in Berlin. A North American printer will be chosen out of the six, and that printer will vie for international honors.
Von Hoffmann Adds Stacker
JEFFERSON CITY, MO—A new Muller Martini CB-16 compensating counter/stacker has been installed at Von Hoffmann Press' production facility here. The system can create compensated or non-compensated stacks of books at a rate of 18,000 cycles per hour.
Monroe Sold, Name Changed
ROCHESTER, NY—A group of local, private investors has purchased Monroe Graphics, its board of directors and retirement committee announced. The company's name has been changed to Evolution Impressions. The same management team and employees will continue to operate the company.
White Paper Studies USPS' Future
CHANHASSEN, MN—Printing, envelope conversion and mailing services specialist The Instant Web Companies has published a new white paper that examines what is being done to help the ailing U.S. Postal Service. The USPS is projecting a loss of $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2002 and expects mail volume to decrease by six billion pieces. The paper, "Building a Future for the U.S. Postal Service" is available for download at www.iwco.com/ resources/articles.html.
K/P Corp. Signs Fulfillment Pact
SAN RAMON, CA—K/P Corp. announced it has forged a partnership with SerCom Solutions in which SerCom will provide K/P fulfillment services for clients with overseas distribution needs. According to Rich Barbee, president and CEO of K/P Corp., the alliance is designed to attract more global clients.
Maple-Vail Acquires Book Sewer
YORK, PA—The Maple-Vail Book Manufacturing Group purchased a Muller Martini Ventura book sewing machine. The sewer produces at a rate of 200 cycles per minute. Maple-Vail manufactures casebound and paperback books.
