UPFRONT
Daly, Frontenac Seek Specialties
CHICAGO—Private equity investment firm Frontenac and Ronald Daly, former president of RR Donnelley Print Solutions, have created a business partnership to acquire and grow specialty printers and other print solutions companies. Daly worked with Donnelley for 38 years.
EPI Cos., Display Printers Merge
MARIETTA, GA—The EPI Companies, based here, has acquired Display Printers, a manufacturer of printed merchandising displays. EPI specializes in marketing support for corporate clients, including creative services, traditional and digital print, logistics, premiums and online solutions.
Unions Pressure Schawk
CHICAGO—With its Union Network International (UNI) Congress taking place here, about 100 labor delegates, union leaders and activists decided to pay an unscheduled visit to Schawk Inc.'s Windy City facility. The delegation popped in to protest what it considers "discriminatory, anti-worker behavior." The alleged infractions stemmed from Schawk's merger with Seven Worldwide, which reportedly caused layoffs and prompted the company to move some operations to a non-union facility.
Kodak Closing Creo Facility
ROCHESTER, NY—The former Creo printing plate manufacturing plant in Middleway, WV, became a victim of the rationalization activities being performed by its new owner, Eastman Kodak. The operation is due to be shuttered by the first quarter of 2006. Kodak acquired Kodak Polychrome Graphics and Creo earlier this year. Both companies manufacture and sell thermal and conventional plate products.
CGX Taps Cohen for M&A Work
HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics (CGX) has added another tool to its M&A belt with the hiring of James Cohen as executive vice president of mergers and acquisitions. Cohen, 41, has a significant M&A background. He founded Main Street Equity Ventures II, a private equity fund specializing in industry consolidations. The Princeton graduate has also worked as a corporate attorney.
Setmasters Bought by Managers
HAMPSHIRE, UK—Collating equipment manufacturer Setmasters Ltd. has been acquired by company senior managers Chris Broomfield and James Clark, with the financial backing of the Fullers Group. Setmaster collators are distributed exclusively in North America by Vijuk Equipment of Elmhurst, IL.
Reilly Joins Compass Capital
RADNOR, PA—Compass Capital Partners, one of the industry's leading financial advisory services in the realm of mergers and acquisitions, has added a familiar face to its lineup. Paul V. Reilly, former chairman, CEO and president of Cenveo Inc., has joined the firm as a partner. Reilly is based out of Colorado, where he now concentrates on mergers and acquisitions, valuations, fairness opinions and related financings.
Printer Vies for "The Apprentice"
NEW YORK CITY—Brian Mandelbaum, 24, director of business development for True Type Printing, was one of the 18 young entrepreneurs selected by Donald Trump to compete in the hit NBC TV series, "The Apprentice." The show, which premiered September 22, puts contestants through a series of business-related exercises to test their savvy, leadership and managerial skills.
Océ to Acquire Imagistics Stock
VENLO, THE NETHERLANDS—Océ N.V. has struck a deal to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Imagistics International, based in Trumbull, CT, for $42 a share. Imagistics is a direct sales and services provider of document imaging solutions. Océ is a provider of products and services for printing and document management services. The deal will reportedly increase Océ's distribution capabilities and presence in the U.S. corporate printing market.
Chesapeake Garners Arlington
RICHMOND, VA—Chesapeake Corp. has purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of Arlington Press from Impaxx Inc. for $65 million, subject to a working capital adjustment. Arlington Press serves the North American pharmaceutical market with printed leaflets, pressure-sensitive labels and folding cartons.
Donnelley Finishes Foreign Deal
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has completed the acquisition of Poligrafia S.A., a Polish printer of magazines, catalogs, retail inserts and books that is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Donnelley now owns 99.5 percent of Poligrafia's outstanding shares. The company will be integrated into Donnelley's European operations.
Quebecor Invests in Facility
MONTREAL—As part of a $110 million investment campaign in its Ontario-based media holdings, Quebecor Inc. has consolidated its newspaper printing facilities into one new state-of-the-art facility to be located in Islington, Ontario. The new facility will be co-owned by Quebecor Media and Quebecor World. The consolidation will result in 300 job losses, while 200 new positions will be created by the new facility.
Romano Wins RIT Cary Award
CHICAGO—Frank Romano, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) professor emeritus, was presented with that school's 2005 Cary Award during PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05. The Cary Award is presented annually to those who have distinguished themselves in the development or application of digital technology in graphic communications.
Seidl's Installs Bolero System
HOUSTON—Seidl's Bindery has installed the first Muller Martini Bolero 3028 perfect binder in the U.S. According to Bill Seidl, company president, the Bolero was chosen for its fast setup capability and program storage for immediate recall of specifications. The Bolero 3028 is rated at 8,000 cph and features lay-flat adhesive and PUR binding capabilities.
