UPFRONT
Goss Withdraws Appeal
WESTMONT, IL—The Department of Commerce has determined that MAN Roland followed fair trade practices in the pricing of its newspaper presses. These preliminary findings come in light of a review of MAN Roland's sales to U.S. newspapers in 1999 and 2000. The U.S. Court of International Trade agreed to dismiss an appeal by Goss Graphic Systems, which had challenged the DOC's findings regarding a review of the 1998-1999 period. Goss had charged MAN Roland and several other worldwide manufacturers, including Koenig & Bauer and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with price dumping.
Crowson Stone Acquires Kohn
COLUMBIA, SC—Crowson Stone Printing has reached an agreement to purchase the sales and selected assets of fellow Columbia, SC, printer Kohn Print Group. The agreement, which sees Crowson Stone adding several key Kohn employees, is subject to approval of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Quad Unveils Paper Wrapper
PEWAUKEE, WI—Quad/Graphics has introduced a paper wrapper for the direct mail market that boasts features such as extensive versioning, single mailstream capabilities and a unique pocket configuration. The wrapper, which can also accommodate polywrap, is equipped with a finishing control system that allows the wrapper to selectively insert forms and deliver up to 9,999 versions of a mail piece in a single mailstream.
Eagle Presides at Graphics Show
MIAMI—Booker T, an American eagle rescued from the wild, makes a return engagement at the 27th annual Graphics of the Americas show, February 1-3 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. He will preside over the opening ceremonies, Graphic Arts Leaders of the Americas (GALA) banquet and the Printing Association of Florida booth on the show floor. Once infected with Avian Pox and unable to survive on his own, Booker T now resides at the Miami Museum of Science.
Workflow Closing Two Plants
PALM BEACH, FL—Print and office consumables outsourcer Workflow Management announced that it is closing two production facilities associated with direct mail. The company announced the moves in its revised fiscal 2002 guidance.
Vertis Nabs Sunday Insert Press
RIVERSIDE, CA—Advertising and marketing services specialist Vertis has installed a Heidelberg Sunday 3000i gapless blanket press for the newspaper insert advertising market at its facility here. The four-unit, single-web press has a 21˝ cutoff and a 66˝ web width. It prints up to 85,000 iph.
Bowne & Co. Reduces Workforce
NEW YORK CITY—With the capital markets ravaged following the September 11 terrorist attacks, Bowne & Co. announced it was planning to reduce its financial printing workforce by approximately 10 percent in the fourth quarter of 2001.
Graphic Converting Converts
NILES, IL—Fresh off two acquisitions last summer, Graphic Converting has announced changes in its corporate management team. Steve Skalski and Todd Amar have been named executive vice presidents, and John Dean has been promoted to vice president of finance and administration. Newcomer Daniel Solomon was named national director of sales and Lisa Boyd is the new director of marketing.
Allegra Acquires Insty-Prints
TROY, MI—The Allegra Network announced it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the assets and franchise agreements of Minneapolis-based Insty-Prints. The quick printing franchises have more than 550 centers combined.
PIA Changes Staff Structure
ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Printing Industries of America (PIA) has reorganized its staff to streamline the management structure and facilitate its consolidation with the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF). Ben Cooper has moved from senior vice president for government affairs to executive vice president, public affairs. COO Michael Makin has been named executive vice president and COO. Under the new structure, government affairs, human relations, economics and research, and communications departments will be consolidated under the executive vice president for public affairs. Executive development, finance and administration, MIS, marketing, affiliate and board relations, and meetings departments will report to the COO. The organization also announced that Steve Kodey has been promoted from research assistant to manager of economic and market research.
Study Focuses on Sustainability
NEW YORK—Nima Hunter Inc. announced the June release of "The Greening of Print," the first in a series of studies that will survey and forecast how trends, behaviors and predispositions toward "beyond compliance" environmental and sustainability practices by Global 2000 companies will impact the printing, publishing and packaging industries. "The Greening of Print" will provide CEOs, environmental health and safety, strategic planning, marketing and procurement executives with pragmatic information to guide the development of timely, appropriate and profitable sustainability strategies. Concerns the report will address include what companies need to know in order to develop and execute a winning sustainability strategy.
Convergent Label Goes 24/7
TAMPA, FL—Convergent Label Technology announced that it is closing its plant in Lenexa, KS, and will now operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week at its Joplin, MO, and Tampa, FL, facilities.
RIT Prepares for Sunday 2000
ROCHESTER, NY—The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) was scheduled to break ground on an 11,000-square-foot facility that will soon house a new Heidelberg Sunday 2000 commercial web press. The donation of the press, which will replace an M-1000 model given to the university in 1986, is part of an ongoing partnership between RIT and Heidelberg.
