UPFRONT
Banta Senior Executive Departs
MENASHA, WI—Larry Panozzo, president of Banta's $1 billion print sector, has resigned to pursue other interests. "Although I am personally disappointed, I respect and accept Larry's decision. We will miss his deep knowledge, passion and leadership," states Stephanie Streeter, Banta's president and CEO. Panozzo had been with Banta since 1988. A spokesperson for Banta says the company's "succession process" has already begun to fill the position.
Courier Corp. Buys Web Press
KENDALLVILLE, IN—Courier Corp. has purchased a new four-unit MAN Roland LITHOMAN IV web offset press that is scheduled for installation and startup by next spring. The 48-page LITHOMAN will feature a web width of 57.48˝ and a 22.75˝ cutoff. The top speed of the new press is 35,000 iph.
Vertis Names Group Presidents
BALTIMORE—Dave Colatriano and Tom Zimmer will assume the expanded roles of group president, Vertis East, and group president, Vertis West, respectively. The creation of these new positions comes as a result of the company's decision to focus on an integrated management structure of sales and operations, and several business units of the company will now report on an East/West basis to Colatriano and Zimmer.
Direct Marketing Plants Unified
TORONTO—Transcontinental Printing has united its direct marketing printing activities and related services in Canada and the U.S. under the new brand Transcontinental Direct. The three Transcontinental Direct plants were formerly known as Yorkville Printing in Toronto, Interglobe Montreal and Spectra Graphics in Warminster, PA. Each of these production plants is a one-stop shop capable of handling all components of a customer's direct mail package, including prepress, printing, ink-jet and laser personalization, in-line and off-line finishing, bindery and letter shop.
Presstek Files Patent Lawsuit
HUDSON, NH—Presstek has initiated a patent infringement suit against Fuji Photo Film for allegedly violating Presstek's patents pertaining to its lithographic printing plates. The suit was filed in Germany. The infringing product is being manufactured for Heidelberg by Fuji. According to Presstek, the initiation of this action is not expected to effect Presstek's recently announced OEM agreement, or its relationship, with Heidelberg.
CGX Acquires Sheetfed Plant
HAYWARD, CA—American Lithographers, part of Consolidated Graphics, has acquired the Bay Area commercial sheetfed operations of Lithographix. "This is an exciting opportunity for us to expand our capacity and services to new and existing customers in the Northern California market," says Joe Davis, chairman and CEO. "The Lithographix operations will be merged into our existing operations in Hayward, creating one of the largest, state-of-the-art, full-service printing companies in the area."
Quad Wins Major Print Contract
SUSSEX, WI—Quad/Graphics and Advance Magazine Group (AMG)—parent company of Conde Nast Publications, Fairchild Publications and the Golf Digest Companies—have entered into a multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreement for the printing of Architectural Digest, beginning with the November 2003 issue, as well as the continued production of popular magazine titles Lucky, Jane, Golf for Women and Golf World. The agreement builds on a five-year contract announced on July 1, 2003, awarding Quad/Graphics prepress for 23 high-profile AMG titles including Vogue, Glamour and Vanity Fair. Under a separate contract, Quad/Graphics also prints AMG title Wired.
Colorado Printing Buys 10-color
GRAND JUNCTION, CO—Colorado Printing, a commercial printer that specializes in high-end four- and eight-color work, plans to install a 10-color Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74 perfecting press that was on display in the Heidelberg booth during GRAPH EXPO. Immediately following the show, the new press was shipped to Colorado Printing's shop, and installation should be completed this month.
Champion Acquires Cox Assets
HUNTINGTON, WV—Champion Industries has purchased the assets of Cox Printing, Lexington, KY. Assets purchased include plates, negatives, electronic files and the customer list, along with all pertinent records pertaining to such assets. Champion paid an undisclosed amount of cash in the transaction. Cox produces a specialty magazine publication distributed throughout the southeastern portion of the United States.
RR Donnelley Gets SWOP OK
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley's new ShareStream soft-proofing solution has received Specifications for Web Offset Publications (SWOP) certification, reportedly marking the first time the industry group has certified a soft-proofing service from a company that provides integrated premedia and print services. Equipment and software providers previously have only achieved the SWOP certification. ShareStream enables customers to view and collaborate on color and image retouching in a controlled, color-managed environment.
TBC to Install Xerox iGen3 Press
TETERBORO, NJ—TBC Color Imaging has purchased a DocuColor iGen3 digital production press from Xerox Corp. to help fuel growth in its expanding digital color printing business and complete its transition from a prepress service provider to a full-service digital printer.
Heidelberg Shifts Production
ROCHESTER, NY—Heidelberg has begun producing the NexPress 2100 digital production color press at its digital headquarters, located here. The migration of NexPress 2100 press production and assembly to the Rochester facility is part of Heidelberg's initiatives to maximize plant utilization and significantly improve its cost structure in the digital business.
