UPFRONT
Donnelley Gets USPS Certified
CHICAGO—R.R. Donnelley has become the first commercial printer to be approved for the second phase of PostalOne! certification by the United States Postal Service—for the electronic submission of postal statements. PostalOne! is a system that allows for electronic submission of postage statements and corresponding presort documentation.
Gateway Installs Perfecting Unit
LOUISVILLE, KY—An eight-unit Mitsubishi Diamond 3000R perfecting press has been installed at Gateway Press. The press features a centralized operator makeready and control system (COMRAC).
Sheridan Books Adds Web Press
CHELSEA, MI—Sheridan Books has installed a Timsons T48A arch web press at its facility here. The press, which features a simultaneous plate changing system, is formatted to print books with 51⁄2x8˝ and 6x9˝ trim sizes.
St Ives Adds Logistics Unit
MIAMI—The U.S. division of St Ives announced the creation of St Ives Logistics, aimed at lowering costs for customers by applying delivery-efficient logistics, planning and management. The service works with a variety of cost/service options to design and implement effective delivery options.
Roper Named GALA Recipient
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Printing Industries of America (PIA) outgoing President Ray Roper has been named the 2003 recipient of the Graphic Arts Leaders of the Americas (GALA) North American award by the Printing Association of Florida. He will receive the award at the 20th annual GALA Awards banquet and reception in January during the Graphics of the Americas show in Miami Beach.
New Stitcher for Dixie Web
NEW ORLEANS—Dixie Web has augmented its bindery by installing a Muller Martini Bravo-S saddle stitching system. The system, rated at 12,000 cycles per hour, handles one- and two-up production, and accommodates high folio, low folio or suction opening of signatures. The modular design allows feeders and peripherals to be configured to produce various stitched product.
AlphaGraphics Chooses Printcafe
PITTSBURGH—AlphaGraphics is turning to Printcafe Software for its PrintSmith Report Writer. The custom report generator system will be implemented at 300 AlphaGraphics print shops worldwide. AlphaGraphics will also support and promote the integrated PrintSmith Site Web storefront for all AlphaGraphics franchises.
Lincoln Printing Bolsters Bindery
FORT WAYNE, IN—A new Muller Martini Minuteman 1509 saddle stitcher has been installed at Lincoln Printing for the production of books and brochures. Rated at 8,000 cycles per hour, the Minuteman features a variable speed control to custom match its production rate to each job and facilitate single operator running.
Southwest Offset Buys Press
GARDENA, CA—Southwest Offset Printing is installing the first 16-page Heidelberg M-600 A-24 web press in North America. The system will include five printing units, a Contiweb SH-40 splicer, Ecotherm dryer and JF-44 folder, all from Heidelberg.
Printwell Buys Equipment
TAYLOR, MI—Printwell Printing recently installed a six-color, 40˝ Komori Lithrone L-640 sheetfed press with in-line aqueous coating to complement the acquisition of a pair of web presses. Printwell bought two Heidelberg M-16 presses from Wintor-Swan Associates, which went out of business last year. CEO Paul Borg notes that Printwell also picked up assorted bindery equipment from Wintor-Swan, including folders, cutters, tabbers and mailers.
NPC Doubles Work Space
CLAYSBURG, PA—NPC has broken ground on a 100,000-square-foot addition, which is slated for completion in January. The addition nearly doubles NPC's manufacturing space. In anticipation of the new capacity, NPC has added 60 new jobs, with plans for up to 30 new positions in the next three years.
More Space, Equipment for Duke
EASTLAKE, OH—Duke Printing and Mailing Services, buoyed by a 15 percent increase in sales from the previous year, embarked on a $2.5 million expansion earlier this year. As part of the expansion, Duke added a 7,500-square-foot addition to its facility here, increasing its overall size to 35,000 square feet. The company also acquired a four-color Heidelberg Speedmaster 74 DI press.
Gopher State Goes Thermal
MINNEAPOLIS—Gopher State Litho has bolstered its prepress department with the acquisition of a new Fujifilm Javelin Luxel T-9000 CTP HS thermal platesetter. The Javelin features an eight-up format.
Trend Offset Installs Stitcher
CARROLLTON, TX—Trend Offset Printing, based in Los Alamitos, CA, with facilities in Texas and Florida, has installed a Muller Martini Bravo S saddle stitcher at its Southwest Division facility here. The Bravo S converts signatures into books at a rate of 12,000 cycles per hour.
PIA/GATF Relaunches Site
ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) and the Printing Industries of America (PIA) announced that its Internet site, www.gain.net, has been relaunched. The site's Bookstore and new Learning Center have also been enhanced to benefit membership.
Corporate Image Updates Gear
DES MOINES, IA—Corporate Image, which prints and manufactures turned-edge binders, tab sets, boxes and folders, has upgraded some equipment. The focus of the upgrade is a six-color, 40˝ MAN Roland 700 sheetfed press. The company also enhanced its prepress department with the addition of a 40˝ Fuji imagesetter and Rampage workflow software.
