UPFRONT
Journal Shutters Dixie Web
MILWAUKEE—Dixie Web Printing, the New Orleans-based printing arm of Journal Communications hit by Hurricane Katrina, will not resume operations, the company announced in its third quarter report. Journal Communications said the decision was made due to softness prior to the storm, and the fallout resulting from Katrina—building damage, operating losses and uncollectible receivables. About 100 jobs were lost at Dixie.
Graphcom Joining CGX Family
HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics (CGX) has inked a letter of intent to acquire Graphcom Inc., of Atlanta. The transaction was expected to be completed within 60 days. The deal speaks to CGX's long-term strategy for expanding its geographic footprint, reports Joe Davis, chairman and CEO.
Universal Purchases Reflections
KANSAS CITY, MO—Ticket printing specialist Universal Manufacturing took a step toward bolstering its general commercial offerings with the acquisition of Reflections Printing, based in Lenexa, KS. Reflections prints brochures, sell sheets, presentation folders and reply cards, among other things. Amvest Financial Group acted as an advisor to Universal for the transaction.
Quad Mulls Plant Expansion
SUSSEX, WI—A 350,000-square-foot expansion that would cost $24 million and add 200 jobs by its completion is being considered by Quad/Graphics, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. The three-building expansion would take place at the company's West Allis, WI, facility. Quad reportedly is in the process of obtaining approvals from city officials for the project to help it move forward should the company green light the expansion.
Whitmore Strengthens Position
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Whitmore Print & Imaging has acquired the assets of Scneidereith & Sons, a 156-year-old Baltimore printer that services the city's museums. Earlier in the month, Whitmore had obtained the assets of Reese Press. The acquisitions make for a combined $16.5 million printer.
Engler Tops Print Outlook 06
RESTON, VA—John Engler, former Michigan governor and current president of the National Association of Manufacturers, headlines as keynote speaker for Print Outlook 06, the 25th annual economic and marketing conference for the printing, publishing and converting industries. The conference is slated for December 1-2 at the Arlington Hilton Hotel in Arlington, VA. Details are available at www.npes.org.
Cadmus Gets Print Extension
RICHMOND, VA—Cadmus Communications has garnered a multi-year contract extension from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for content production, printing and publisher services for all of the latter's publications. Previously, Cadmus provided production services for ASCO's flagship publication, The Journal of Clinical Oncology, which reports on clinical cancer research.
Courier Acquires Moore Langen
NORTH CHELMSFORD, MA—Book manufacturer Courier Corp. has acquired book cover and components specialist Moore Langen Printing, of Indianapolis. According to Courier Chairman and CEO James Conway, the deal triples Courier's in-house cover capacity. Compass Capital Partners, Radnor, PA, represented the selling interests of Moore Langen.
Copy Shops Sued by Publishers
SAN JOSE—The owners of two copy shops are being sued by six publishers for photocopying entire college textbooks and other academic materials, then selling them to students at drastic discounts, the Silicon Valley/ San Jose Business Journal reported. The shops, Cann Copy & Printing and Tan Tien Publications, are accused of selling copies of at least 51 complete texts and monographs.
Fry Buys Komori Heatset Web
MECHANICSBURG, PA—Veteran printer Fry Communications has purchased a Komori System 38S heatset web offset press. The eight-unit press is slated for delivery by mid-2006, with live production ensuing before the end of the year. The press will be equipped with automatic plate changers and closed-loop color controls.
Intermountain Changes Its Name
BOULDER, CO—Intermountain Color, also known as IMC Web Graphics, has changed its name to Signature Offset. The company also unveiled a new logo and corporate identity system, which will be in place at each of its seven printing facilities in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Mississippi. Accompanying the new name is the tagline, "Where Technology Meets Ink."
Nationwide Adding Digital Gear
HOUSTON—Nationwide Graphics has added digital printing equipment at four of its member companies, according to Carl Norton, chairman and CEO. Xerox iGen3 presses will be installed at Offset Atlanta and Page/International in Houston. A Xerox DocuColor 6600 is bound for Cerqa Copyright in Nashville, TN, with a Xerox DocuColor 8000 ticketed for Graphics West in Las Vegas. Other locations are being studied for possible equipment installations, according to Norton.
Keystone Adds Panel Prints
JESSUP, PA—Keystone Printed Specialties has purchased Panel Prints, based in Old Forge, PA. Combined annual sales of the companies is in the $70 million range. Panel Prints specializes in the production of large, point-of-purchase signs, cosmetics, boxes and heat transfer labels.
Seybold Seminars Come to End
SAN FRANCISCO—Lacking both vendor support and direction in recent years, Seybold Seminars events in New York and San Francisco have been cancelled for 2005 and beyond in what likely spells the end of the show. Attendance had been steadily declining over the last several years, including the recent Seybold event held during PRINT 05.
