UPFRONT
Flint Ink, XSYS Print Merge
ANN ARBOR, MI—Flint Ink and XSYS Print Solutions of Stuttgart, Germany, have agreed to merge. The combination creates a global ink supplier with revenues of roughly $2.6 billion and with about 8,000 employees. Pending regulatory approval, the deal is slated to be finalized around September 30. XSYS was created by the 2004 merger of BASF Printing Systems and ANI Printing Inks.
Finnish Paper Lockout Ends
HELSINKI, FINLAND—Finland's major paper manufacturers and unions representing more than one million forest industry workers finally reached a labor agreement after being urged to return to the negotiating table by Finland Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. The three-year pact ended a lockout that began May 18.
Former Print Shop Owner Passes
PHILADELPHIA—Stephen Marcus, founder of Mars Graphic Services (now owned by Harte-Hanks Inc.), passed away at the age of 73. Mr. Marcus is known for installing an illuminated sign that read, "One Nation, Under God...Indivisible," atop his Westville, NJ, shop. Mars merged with DiMark Inc. in 1989, which was sold to Harte-Hanks in1996.
ColorGraphics Nets George Rice
LOS ANGELES—The venerable, family owned ColorGraphics has strengthened its position in the City of Angels with the acquisition of George Rice & Sons, also of Los Angeles, from Montreal-based Quebecor World. In May, Quebecor World announced it was selling off portions of its commercial group not considered core businesses.
Boyer Printing Closes Doors
LEBANON, PA—Boyer Printing, a 99-year-old commercial printer, closed its doors, leaving 44 people without jobs, WGAL-TV in Lancaster, PA, reported. The only advance warning given to employees was a letter posted the previous day, according to the station. Boyer provided offset and digital printing, and sold office furniture and supplies.
Flint, 66, Retired CEO of Flint Ink
ANN ARBOR, MI—H. Howard Flint II, chairman and retired CEO of Flint Ink and the grandson of its founder, passed away recently after a brief illness. He was 66. Mr. Flint assumed a number of roles before becoming chairman and CEO in 1992.
Creo Officially in Kodak Family
ROCHESTER, NY—The finishing touches have been put on the nearly billion-dollar deal uniting Creo with Eastman Kodak. The deal has met with all of the necessary regulatory approvals, and Creo shareholders will receive $16.50 per common share, for a total of $988 million. Creo is now part of Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG).
Knight Receives Jail Time, Fine
PHILADELPHIA—Janice R. Knight, owner of RPC Printing, was sentenced to five and a half months in prison and fined $100,000 for lying to the FBI, stemming from the city's pay-to-play trial. She is free pending an appeal.
NPES' Delmontagne to Retire
RESTON, VA—Regis J. Delmontagne plans to retire from his posts with several industry associations, including NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies, at the conclusion of 2005. He will remain as a consultant. Delmontagne joined NPES, then known as the National Printing Equipment Association, in late 1976 and was the association's first full-time executive. He will also be leaving the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC), where he has served as president, and the Graphic Arts Education & Research Foundation (GAERF).
IWCO Acquires Fala Direct
CHANHASSEN, MN—Direct mail services provider IWCO Direct has acquired the operating assets of Fala Direct Marketing, a direct marketing production services company based in Farmingdale, NY, with an additional facility in Melville, NY. The acquisition meets the stated goal of IWCO President and CEO Jim Andersen for an expansion into the Eastern portion of the country.
Von Hoffmann Bolsters Bindery
ST. LOUIS—Von Hoffmann Corp. has committed a $5 million investment that targets bindery equipment for its Jefferson City, MO, facility. Among the new gear: a high-speed Muller Martini Corona soft-cover perfect binding line and the integration of Smyth sewing into a bindery line.
Böwe Bell + Howell Obtains BCC
WHEELING, IL—Automated mailing solutions provider Böwe Bell + Howell has acquired BCC Software, a developer of mailing software. Böwe Bell + Howell will continue to operate BCC Software as an independent company under the management of its founder, K. Jon Runstrom. BCC, which will maintain its Rochester, NY, headquarters, will become part of the Postal and Sorting Products Group of Böwe Bell + Howell.
Cadmus Fortifying Equipment
RICHMOND, VA—Cadmus Communications has approved a capital expenditures program to replace older and less efficient equipment. Included are three Heidelberg rollfed sheetfed presses and a sheetfed cover press for its journal printing facilities. Also en route is a Goss Sunday 3000/32 web press and a Sunday 4000/48 web. In the bindery, the company is slated to add one perfect binder and two stitching lines.
Motter, 77, Company Founder
YORK, PA—Frank Motter, 77, who helped found Motter Printing Press with his father and brother, has died. Mr. Motter retired in 1990 as chairman of the board and president of Motter Printing Press, which was acquired by Koenig & Bauer AG.
Print Communications Adds Gear
INDIANAPOLIS—Print Communications had embarked on a $3 million capital expenditure campaign. The centerpiece of the expansion is an eight-unit Heidelberg (Goss) M-130 web offset press. Other gear includes a Kirk-Rudy pressure-sensitive labeler.
