UPFRONT
Phototype Updates Facility
CINCINNATI—Queen City printer Phototype has taken the wraps off its newly renovated, 40,000-square-foot facility that will house its headquarters and creative imaging center. The existing facility, a historic building, received a multimillion dollar facelift that included a two-story addition. Phototype also operates an imaging center in Columbus, OH, and a high-end creative art studio in Chicago.
Quad Names Quadracci Sr. VP
SUSSEX, WI—Joel Quadracci has been promoted to senior vice president of sales and administration by Quad/Graphics, and has been named a member of the board of directors. Quadracci served as the company's vice president of print sales for the previous four years. Quad/Graphics also announced that Richard A. Burke has been elected chairman of the board of directors.
Agfa-Gevaert Acquires dotrix
MORTSEL, BELGIUM—Agfa-Gevaert Group announced it has acquired the assets and staff of dotrix NV, a Belgian-based manufacturer of digital color printing solutions, from Barco NV for around six million Euros. Dotrix, which generated roughly five million Euros in sales for 2003, will allow Agfa to take a position in digital printing markets and gain larger access to industrial printing niches such as decoration, packaging and security printing, according to Albert Follens, a member of Agfa's board of management and general manager of graphic systems.
Kodak Finalizes Scitex Deal
ROCHESTER, NY—Eastman Kodak has completed its acquisition of the assets of Dayton, OH-based Scitex Digital Printing (SDP) for $250 million from Scitex Corp. The deal is actually valued at $237 million because of SDP's cash balance of $13 million acquired at closing. SDP will now be called Kodak Versamark and will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kodak. Nachum "Homi" Shamir, formerly president and CEO of SDP, joins Kodak Versamark as president.
Carl Gerhardt to Lead Allegra
TROY, MI—Printing franchisor Allegra Network announced that Carl Gerhardt has been named president. Formerly the company's vice president of franchise consulting, Gerhardt replaces Bill McIntyre, who has been promoted to chairman. McIntyre will continue to focus on acquisitions and new initiatives for Allegra Network. Gerhardt joined Allegra in 1985 when he and his wife, Judy, opened an American Speedy Printing Centers franchise.
CSI Printing Adds 10-color Press
AUSTIN, TX—CSI Printing has installed a new 10-color Heidelberg Speedmaster SM102 perfecting press in an effort to meet customer needs for faster turnarounds on large jobs and offer more unique printing applications. The SM102 features automated ink fountains, Preset Plus suction belt-driven feeder system, the CP 2000 control system and increased speed to help improve efficiency and output.
Experian Acquired by Group
LINCOLN, NE—MetroGroup Corp., composed of the senior management team of Experian, based here, and Sterling Capital Partners, a private equity firm, have acquired the operating assets of Experian's North American operations. The deal includes all lettershop, printing and packaging services operations in Nebraska, Iowa and Vermont. MetroGroup also receives the assets of Experian's Cole Services division, a cross-reference directory offered in both print and electronic versions.
Domtar Cuts Capacity at Mill
MONTREAL—Domtar Inc. announced it is reorganizing production activities at its Vancouver mill in an effort to better satisfy customer needs and increase profitability. It plans to shut down one of its two paper machines there and restructure the activities of the second one to optimize the manufacturing of Domtar Luna coated paper, its core product. The move may see as many as 80 employees being laid off, with a 45,000-ton reduction of production capacity.
Converting Expands for PRINT 05
RESTON, VA—A "major converting element" is scheduled to be added to PRINT 05, the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC) announced. The show, slated for Sept. 9-15, 2005, at McCormick Place in Chicago, will be the largest exhibition in the world in 2005 for both the graphic communications and converting industries. A major marketing campaign will be launched among converting equipment manufacturers to promote the addition of the converting section.
Digicon Buys Creative Printing
BUFFALO, NY—Prepress specialist Digicon Imaging has acquired Creative Printing, located in the Binghampton suburb of Endwell. The move provides Digicon with the printing, digital photography, design and fulfillment services offered by Creative Printing.
Former Public Printer Dies
SILVER SPRING, MD—John J. Boyle, 84, named U.S. Public Printer by President Carter in 1977, passed away Dec. 29 at Holy Cross Rehabilitation and Nursing Center here. Boyle, who started at the Government Printing Office (GPO) as a proofreader, was the first Public Printer to ascend through the ranks of GPO craftsmen. He retired from the top GPO post in 1980.
Océ Forms Global Outsourcing
NEW YORK—Digital document management solutions provider Océ has merged two of its units, Archer Management Services in the United States and Océ Facility Services in Europe, to create a single entity, Océ Business Services. In merging, customers will have increased access to "best-of-breed solutions around the globe," according to Rokus von Iperen, chairman of Océ's executive board.
Correction
In the December 2003 article on "Fast Track Firms," Darryl Buchanan, vice president of development for Allegra Network, was identified as Darryl Brown.
