UPFRONT
Safeguard Acquired by NEBS
DALLAS—New England Business Service (NEBS) plans to acquire Safeguard Business Systems in a $72.5 million all-cash transaction. The cash proceeds will be used to acquire all company stock, as well as to retire revolving loans and term loans with Safeguard's financial institutions. Safeguard will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. This is a strategic move for both companies, allowing each to create competitive advantages in the marketplace. The company employs approximately 850 people, primarily in Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
Milwaukee Paper Gets KBA Press
MILWAUKEE—The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has installed three new Commander presses by KBA North America. The presses are located in the paper's new $112 million printing center, located in the suburb of West Milwaukee.
President of Hadronics Dies
CINCINNATI—Fredric H. Harding, 72, died on March 22, 2003, of a brain aneurysm. Mr. Harding was a co-partner in the purchase of Hadronics and served as the company's president in addition to being a director. In 1995, he was a co-partner in the purchase of Graphics Systems Services (formerly AM Graphics), and served as a director. Kenneth Green, formerly executive vice president of Hadronics, will now move into the position of president.
Drupa 2004 Sells Out
DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—All 17 halls, nearly 1.7 million square feet of net exhibit space, have been sold out nearly a year before the start of Drupa 2004. Drupa organizers expect over 1,800 companies to display their products at Drupa 2004 to more than 370,000 visitors. The event will take place May 6-19, 2004, at the fairgrounds here.
Roanoke Times Updates Plant
DOVER, NH—The Roanoke Times has installed a Heidelberg Magnapak packaging system. The installation is part a $31.6 million upgrade to its production facilities. Phase two of the facilities upgrade will include the installation of the first Heidelberg gapless Mainstream press in the United States. The press install is expected to be complete by late fall. A Heidelberg NP200 gripper conveyor will carry papers from the press, through a walkway over a street, to the postpress area.
Quad Opens Imaging Center
SAN FRANCISCO—Quad/Graphics has opened a new Imaging Regional Service Center here. The 4,600-square-foot center becomes the 16th site in Quad/Graphics' network of imaging service centers. The center is linked to each of Quads' print production plants via a high-speed telecommunications system. This enables clients to prep and print anywhere in the Quad network while reportedly benefiting from production cycles significantly shorter than the industry average. Quad/Graphics' San Francisco sales team has also relocated from its long-time office in Sausalito, CA, to the new downtown center.
Show Postponed Due to SARS
SHANGHAI, CHINA—The All in Print China 2003 show and conference was postponed due to the SARS outbreak in China. The show was originally scheduled to run from May 13-16, 2003, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. Show officials decided to cancel the show after exhibitors and attendees expressed concern over SARS. The Chinese government has since decreed that all large gatherings should be cancelled or postponed until further notice. The show has been rescheduled for October 29 through November 1, 2003.
IWCO Expands Services
CHANHASSEN, MN—The Instant Web Companies (IWCO) has integrated and consolidated its lettershop services. The centralization of equipment from Chanhassen, MN, to Little Falls, MN, will increase capacity, enabling IWCO to produce 100 million direct mail packages monthly in one location. In a related development, IWCO has expanded its personalization platform, including duplex capabilities, with the installation of two Océ VarioStream 7650 LEDs. The VarioStream line brings new format capabilities and an increase in throughput to address the recent growth in complex personalization programs.
Banta Director of R&E Dies
MENASHA, WI—The architect of Banta Corp.'s research, environmental and safety programs passed away April 8, 2003. Donald B. Huston, 64, Banta's director of research and engineering, died of heart complications. Mr. Huston's 37-year career with Banta was dedicated to pursuing excellence in printing research, environmental protection and workplace safety. He established Banta's first research and engineering department in 1974, and headed the department for the past 29 years. He joined Banta in 1966 as a quality control technician, becoming project engineer in 1968.
SEC Says Exec Robbed Firm
MIAMI—The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sued Benjamin Rogatinsky, 35, the one-time executive of PrintOnTheNet.com, an online printing company. The suit seeks to bar him from serving again as an officer or director of a publicly traded company. PrintOnTheNet.com raised $3 million from a private placement in 2000, but, according to the SEC's suit filed in U.S. District Court in Miami, Rogatinsky never disclosed to investors the firm's loan guarantees and mistated its financial performance in the memorandum and financial reports. The SEC alleges that Rogatinsky diverted at least $115,000 from the private placement to himself and family members.
Faucetta to Head Kordet Group
NEW YORK—Peter Faucetta Sr. former chairman, CEO and founder of Integrated Graphics (IGI), will head The Kordet Group. The new Kordet Group will manage outsource services that will combine manufacturing assets through channel partnering in manufacturing, distribution and fulfillment of graphic services throughout North America.
