UPFRONT
Ennis Acquires All Royal Stock
MIDLOTHIAN, TX—Printed business products specialist Ennis Inc. has acquired all of the stock of Arlington, TX-based Royal Business Forms for $3.7 million in Ennis stock. Royal Business Forms posted sales of $12 million for its fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2004. Royal Business Forms opened its doors in 1959.
Dollco Purchases Roland 700s
OTTAWA—Dollco Printing, one of Canada's largest privately owned commercial printers, has acquired a pair of MAN Roland 700 presses, a five-color and a 10-color unit, to complement its sheetfed, heatset web and coldset press arsenal. Integrated into the installation are an in-line sheeter, coater and perfecting. Dollco has 300 employees and annual sales of C$50 million.
KBA Compacta Bound for Sprint
FORT WORTH, TX—Sheetfed and web printer Sprint Press has placed an order for a twin-web KBA Compacta 215 commercial web. The press, slated to be running by the end of 2005, will print 32-page, full-color products with two webs alongside 16-page copies featuring spot colors and coatings with one web. Sprint Press and Sprint Denver comprise the Sprint Group, with 2004 sales of $35 million.
Prodigy Orders First Komori 38S
BRAMPTON, ON—The first North American installation of a Komori System 38S web press goes to Prodigy Graphics Group, based in this Toronto suburb. Prodigy placed an order for the 16-page press during Graph Expo in Chicago. The press, which was first introduced at Drupa in May, will be delivered to Prodigy Graphics Group in 2005.
Donnelley Inks Long-term Deal
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has signed a multi-year contract with the New York Daily News to produce the newspaper's new weekly magazine, "25hours." Donnelley will print all 1.1 million copies of the four-color publication, which will focus on New York events, celebrities, society and style.
Hi-Liter Makes Assets Deal
BURLINGTON, WI—Hi-Liter Graphics has signed an agreement to acquire the assets of Inland Press of Menomonee Falls, WI. That company will become a division of Hi-Liter, called Inland Book. Most Inland employees will be retained. Jim Lacy, president and owner of Inland, was named the executive vice president of the combined company. Hi-Liter Graphics President Craig Faust holds majority ownership.
Challenge Opts for Hybrid Press
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN—Challenge Printing was slated to receive a six-color, 41˝ KBA Rapida 105 sheetfed press with hybrid UV coating and drying shortly following Graph Expo. The press was purchased off of the show floor. Challenge Printing initially decided on the press after seeing it at Drupa last May. The press joins an existing Rapida 105 and will help address the printer's growing capacity.
K/P Consolidates OR Operations
SALEM, OR—K/P Corp. has broken ground here on a new 32,000-square-foot printing, fulfillment and direct mail facility. The new location will allow for consolidation of the operations of two separate plants located in Salem, OR. The new facility more than doubles K/P's space in Salem and allows it to meet increasing customer requirements for marketing support services.
Print Council Selects Maloney
GREENWICH, CT—Broadford & Maloney Chairman Martin J. Maloney has been named executive director of The Print Council. He will oversee membership, education and fundraising programs, as well as manage marketing and administration of the Council. Maloney will provide the administrative resources of his firm and establish a dedicated national headquarters here.
New Name for Fontana/Affiliated
CHEVERLY, MD—Family owned and operated Fontana Lithograph/Affiliated Graphics has changed its name to MOSAIC, with the tagline: Your Image, Our Passion. The new name is intended to reflect the core elements of the company, its heritage, technology, people and passion. Fontana Lithograph was founded in 1948 and was joined in 1976 by Affiliated Graphics.
Minors Printing Installs Karat
BOONE, NC—Minors Printing has installed a KBA 74 Karat digital offset waterless press. The new press, featuring the Gravuflow inking system and coater, was installed this past fall. According to Phil Minor, co-owner, the new press enables his company to branch out into short-run packaging work.
Quebecor World Extends Credit
MONTREAL—Quebecor World has successfully concluded the renewal and extension of its $1 billion revolving credit facility with a global syndicate of financial institutions. The multi-currency, cross-border facility matures on Nov. 7, 2007. The agreement is in addition to Quebecor World's previously announced renewal of its $510 million U.S. trade receivables securitization program.
IWCO Direct Unwraps Mail Center
CHANHASSEN, MN—The former Instant Web Companies will unveil its latest effort to expand both capacity and capabilities for its direct marketing customers. Next month, IWCO Direct will activate a high-speed mail processing technology center on its campus here. The new facility, which will have all new equipment and operate around the clock, is expected to create 80 new full-time jobs in the manufacturing sector.
Freedom Buys CTP Ancillary Gear
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO—Newspaper printer Freedom Communications has chosen NELA to be its supplier of punch/bending equipment for its 22 facilities nationwide. The equipment installments, which will vary from facility to facility, will include vision punchbenders, three-point punchbenders, plate conveyors and plate stacking devices.
