UPFRONT
Cunningham, CGI Reunited
JERSEY CITY, NJ—Michael Cunningham has returned to the organization he helped start. Cunningham was named CEO of The CGI Group, the successor to Cunningham Graphics International, which he founded in 1989. He will report directly to CGI Chairman Peter Furlonge. Cunningham has served as a professor at San Diego State and is a research professor at Cal Poly, as well as an adjunct professor at New York University.
American Banknote Buys Firm
FORT LEE, NJ—American Banknote, parent company of ABnote Group, finished a deal to obtain Arthur Blank & Co., of Boston, for an undisclosed amount of cash and stock. Arthur Blank & Co. specializes in the production of plastic cards. The two companies sell more than two billion cards annually.
Moody’s Adds Finishing Touch
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—Trade printer JD Moody’s ushered in its new finishing division with the addition of new Bobst equipment. The gear includes a SPeria 106-E diecutter, a Foilmaster 102 diecutter/hot foil stamper, an Alpina folder-gluer with Packsmart pick-and-place inserters, and Emmeci mounting equipment with casemaking capability.
ABS Raises Capex Investments
ADDISON, IL—ABS Graphics has poured nearly $1 million into its capex program in the last 12 months with some recent acquisitions. Among the new gear is a Kodak Prinergy 3.1 workflow system, Kodak Magnus 800 platesetter, EFI PrintFlow Tool, Canon imageRUNNER Pro 125VP and a Xerox DocuColor 8000 digital press.
Jacobson to Lead Presstek
HUDSON, NH—Jeff Jacobson has taken the helm as president and CEO of Presstek, just 10 days after his scheduled departure from Eastman Kodak, where he had served as a vice president and COO of the Graphic Communications Group. The veteran Jacobson replaces Ed Marino, who is leaving to pursue other interests. Jacobson is expected to bolster the company’s growth in the digital offset printing business and continue its expansion into international markets.
QW Taps Akeroyd for Post
MONTREAL—Kevin Akeroyd has been appointed president of Quebecor World’s Targeted Direct Marketing division, which is part of the company’s multi-channel marketing solution. Most recently, Akeroyd served as CEO of GalleryPlayer, which specializes in HD digital content services. His resume includes a 10-year hitch with RR Donnelley in its direct marketing and premedia groups.
Transcontinental Ups Capacity
MONTREAL—Transcontinental Printing tapped MAN Roland to provide three Colorman XXL newspaper web presses to produce the San Francisco Chronicle and other products in its new San Francisco Bay-area plant (site plans of which are still being finalized.) The presses will be installed in 2008 and are slated to go live in 2009.
Publisher Announces Layoffs
KENT, WA—King County Publications gave notice to the state’s Employment Security Department that it would be ceasing operations and permanently laying off 109 employees, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported. The layoffs will take place between June 29 and July 7. King County Publications was acquired last November, along with nine local newspapers, by Black Press of Victoria, British Columbia. In January, Black Press shut down another one of the newly acquired companies, the King County Journal, which employed 40.
Mod-Pac Obtains DDM
BLASDELL, NY—Mod-Pac Corp., which specializes in commercial printing and custom paperboard manufacturing, has acquired certain assets of Buffalo, NY-based DDM-Digital Imaging, Data Processing and Mailing Services, for $850,000 in cash. DDM provides program and database management, variable data digital printing, and mailing services for the financial, marketing, advertising, medical and legal industries. Its production equipment, technology capabilities and a number of employees in Buffalo will be relocated to Mod-Pac’s Blasdell facility.
Direct Group Acquires EMSi
PENNINGTON, NJ—Direct marketing services specialist Direct Group has acquired Enterprise Marketing Solutions (EMSi), a database marketing company that provides statistical modeling and analytics, data management, hosted database solutions and e-mail programs for the direct marketing industry. Piscataway, NJ-based EMSi creates tailored marketing solutions for clients in the insurance, telecommunications, cable and security industries.
ImageSet Digital Adds Gear
HOUSTON—A second HP Indigo 5000 digital press has been installed at ImageSet Digital, as well as a s2000 model. The printer also bolstered its wide-format digital printing arsenal with a new 64˝ HP Designjet 9000s printer. The Designjet, installed in March, allows ImageSet to begin offering outdoor signage and an expanded range of large-format products.
Quad Unveils New Med Clinic
MARTINSBURG, WV—Quad/Graphics held a grand opening recently to unveil its in-house medical clinic, QuadMed, at its 1.6 million-square-foot facility here, which houses 950 employees. Quad President and CEO Joel Quadracci told the Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, MD, that the in-house clinics at the company’s larger plants have resulted in roughly 20 percent savings in health care costs, and 50 percent in savings for employees. Employees pay a $6 fee per office visit with no deductibles, according to the paper. QuadMed onsite clinics are designed to provide employees with convenient, affordable, high-quality health care in the workplace. The clinics provide primary care and specialty care services for eligible employees and their dependents.
