UPFRONT
Maynard Wins Slogan Contest
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Michael Maynard, a head pressman for Glen Burnie, MD-based French Bray, was selected the winner of the Web Offset Association (WOA) Pride in Printing slogan contest, which was co-sponsored by Printing Impressions. His entry, "WOA: Making a Great Impression for 50 Years," was selected from more than 300 entries. He received, among other things, airfare and hotel accommodations for two people, as well as complimentary registration, at the WOA conference in Las Vegas from May 5-8.
Lake Erie Acquires CTP System
CLEVELAND—Lake Erie Graphics has installed an Agfa Galileo VS digital plate manufacturing system. The Galileo VS system, along with the addition of Agfa's Apogee software, allows Lake Erie Graphics' production team to manage its workflow from design and concept through the platemaking and printing processes.
The Papers Installs New Unit
MILFORD, IN—The Papers recently installed a Model 195A vertical stacker/bundler from Systems Technology (STI) at its new 57,000-square-foot facility. The machine joins a newly installed MAN Roland Cromoman web offset press with signature conveyor system and LoadBuilder automatic bundle palletizer. The 195A features automatic end board insertion and bundle transport, and AC drives with frequency inverters. The LoadBuilder palletizer has two-axis plus rotation, improved ergonomics, AC drives with frequency inverters and SmartBurst processing for high-speed presses and bundle cycle rates.
Indianapolis Printers Partner
INDIANAPOLIS—Print Communications and Design Printing, both based here, have announced a formal partnership. The deal will enable both companies to offer a greater range of services to their respective client bases, as well as prospective clients. Print Communications will offer its commercial web printing capabilities to Design Printing which, in turn, will provide sheetfed capabilities to its partner. The venture also strengthens the mailing and fulfillment services that each firm offers.
Quebecor World Finalizes Deal
MONTREAL—Quebecor World has received all necessary regulatory approvals for the acquisition of Hachette Filipacchi Media's printing assets in Europe, the company announced. It will begin integrating those assets into its European platform. The assets include printing and bindery facilities in France and Hachette's 50 percent ownership of Helio Charleroi in Belgium. Public investment firm Compagnie Nationale a Portefeuille will retain its 50 percent ownership until September 2004.
Mail-Well Offers Debt Securities
ENGLEWOOD, CO—Mail-Well Inc. announced it intends to offer new senior unsecured debt securities in a private offering. The aggregate principal amount of the new securities is expected to be $300 million with a 10-year maturity. Mail-Well will use proceeds from this offering to repay a portion of its senior secured bank debt. Mail-Well also obtained an amendment to its existing agreement from its syndicate of banks which, upon completion of this offering, will allow the company to set aside funds to retire its existing 5 percent convertible bonds when they come due this November.
Wisconsin Color Files Chapter 11
MILWAUKEE—Wisconsin Color Press has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The move allows the company to remain in business while devising a plan to satisfy creditors. The newspaper quoted the company as attributing the filing to overcapacity in a shrinking printing market. Online catalogs have taken a bite out of large print runs.
Transcontinental Buys Presses
MONTREAL—Transcontinental Group has placed an order for two gapless Heidelberg Mainstream presses. The units will be installed later this year at a new facility being constructed here. The new presses will enable Transcontinental Group to produce La Presse, the largest French language daily newspaper in North America. It has a circulation of 183,000 copies on weekdays, 274,000 on Saturdays and 191,000 on Sundays.
IWCO Acquires PageStream
CHANHASSEN, MN—Backed by the acquisition of an Océ PageStream 530 Plus, The Instant Web Companies (IWCO) increased its LED and MICR capacity by more than 30 percent to meet growing customer demand for its integrated solutions, the company announced. The unit, on the strength of its controller, offers IWCO expanded functionality, speed and performance for its direct mail client base.
Moore Creates Scholarship Fund
TORONTO—The senior management team at Moore Corp. is funding a scholarship program for children of the company's employees. According to Robert Burton, president and CEO of Moore, 100 scholarship grants, averaging roughly $1,500, will be initially awarded to college-bound students. Burton is personally donating $100,000 to start the program. Criteria used to judge applicants include educational success, athletics and club participation, and community service. Children with learning disabilities and those who overcome other obstacles will also be considered.
Perry Judd's Sullivan Retires
FALLS CHURCH, VA—Howard Sullivan, senior vice president of Perry Judd's and a popular figure in the commercial printing industry with more than 44 years of experience, retired from the company in April.
Correction
Our March story on bindery management, "Flourishing at Finishing," included an incorrect spelling of Bryce Berry's surname. Berry is vice president of sales at Express Solutions in Salt Lake City, UT. Also, Ocean State Book Binding is based in Providence, RI, and not Rhode Island, NY, as the story cited. Printing Impressions regrets the errors.
