UPFRONT
Valassis Nixes ADVO Deal
LIVONIA, MI—Alleging fraud, Valassis Communications has sued ADVO in chancery court to rescind its $1.3 billion merger agreement. Valassis alleges ADVO intentionally provided false information and “withheld material information” regarding operating income. The suit also alleges ADVO executives knew of significant internal control deficiencies associated with ADVO’s order-to-cash system. ADVO sees the move as “merely a smokescreen to hide the fact that Valassis is suffering from an extreme case of buyer’s remorse,” and plans to contest the action.
Quad Hits the West Coast
SUSSEX, WI—Quad/Graphics has ventured west with the acquisition of Craftsman Press West, based in Reno, NV. The facility becomes Quad’s tenth, joining sister plants in Wisconsin, New York, West Virginia, Georgia and Oklahoma. The deal won’t create additional capacity for Quad. It plans to replace Craftsman’s existing press lines with newer, advanced presses that are already in use at other Quad facilities.
Alcoa Employee Found in Baler
DOWNINGTOWN, PA—An unidentified Alcoa Flexible Packaging employee was found dead on July 24 in a paper baler, the Daily Local News of West Chester reported. Alcoa representatives told the paper it appeared the man died of natural causes. Rescue personnel took 45 minutes to remove the employee from the baler, the paper said. Vicki Welsh, director of marketing communications for Pittsburgh-based Alcoa, said the company would not comment until an investigation is completed.
Martin Edwards Passes Away
ANN ARBOR, MI—Martin (Marty) Edwards, chairman of book and journal manufacturer Edwards Brothers and a 2001 inductee into the PRINTING IMPRESSIONS/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame, passed away at the age of 74. Mr. Edwards became its president in 1975. He received the Signature Award for Lifetime Achievements from the Book Manufacturing Institute (BMI) in 2001.
Synergy Lands Scoville
PLYMOUTH, MN—Synergy Graphics has acquired the web, mailing and fulfillment assets of Scoville Press, based here. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition allows Synergy Graphics to bolster its commercial printing offerings, which will now include web, sheetfed and digital printing. The deal brings the company in-house mailing, fulfillment, finishing and other postpress capabilities.
Goss Gains Decision in Suit
BOLINGBROOK, IL—Goss International reports it has gained judgment in its patent infringement case against MAN Roland involving tubular, gapless blankets used in Goss Sunday web presses. The U.S. District Court for New Hampshire ruled that MAN Roland’s Rotoman S offset lithographic printing press infringes three Goss patents related to the gapless blankets.
Cadmus Forges Asian Deal
RICHMOND, VA—Cadmus Communications has signed a deal with Periscope Inc. of Minneapolis to form a worldwide print management solution for retailers and consumer product companies, called PeriscopeCadmus, based in Hong Kong. The new entity will integrate Cadmus Specialty Packaging’s global packaging network with Periscope’s design and prepress capabilities.
Reynolds Bought Out by UCS
KETTERING, OH—Reynolds and Reynolds has given the nod to a $2.8 billion buyout by rival Universal Computer Systems (UCS). The deal, which includes the assumption of debt, sees Reynolds and Reynolds shareholders receiving $40 cash per share. The merged company will be called The Reynolds and Reynolds Co., with products and services of both companies marketed under the Reynolds brand. The UCS brand will be discontinued.
Workflow Sells Relizon Canada
GREENWICH, CT—Workflow Management has signed a share purchase agreement to sell 100 percent of the outstanding stock of Relizon Canada to The DATA Group Income Fund. Workflow Management, which provides document and business process outsourcing services, acquired its interest in Relizon Canada in November 2005 when it obtained Relizon Co. from The Carlyle Group.
Advertising Materials Draw Suit
JACKSONVILLE, FL—Five motorists here are taking a Pitney Bowes subsidiary to court for placing advertisements inside their automotive registration packets, the Associated Press reported. The suit alleges Imagitas used personal information provided by the Florida Division of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to “target and distribute advertising materials.” A lawyer for the plaintiffs claims that the use of motorists’ names and addresses for commercial use is a violation of the federal Driver’s Privacy and Protection Act.
Pictorial Gains SFI Certification
CARLSTADT, NJ—Pictorial Offset has achieved Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) chain-of-custody certification. The printer is reportedly the first printer in the world to gain certification through SGS, the same accrediting body that certifies for the International Standards Organization.
Adast Returns to U.S. Market
ADAMOV, CZECHOSLOVAKIA—With a history dating back to 1952, Adast’s main product line today consists of 20.5˝, 26˝ and 29˝ sheetfed offset presses. The presses, which will be displayed at Graph Expo next month, incorporate automation features such as vacuum feeders, semi-automatic plate changers, three axis register adjustment, ink and blanket washers, and IR dryers. Adast is now targeting the U.S. market, wanting to recapture the sales success it had several years ago with former partners Royal Zenith and Omnitrade (Omni-Adast presses).
