Business Management - M&A

Printing Impressions sat down recently with Jim Dunn, president of Heidelberg USA, and Allan Dragone, CEO of Unisource Worldwide, to discuss the alliance wherein Unisource will serve as the U.S. distributor of Heidelberg’s Saphira-branded consumables and what it will mean for printers.

The combined company boasts aggregate sales of $5.1 billion for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2009. Together, the firm will have nearly 30,000 employees, though that figure is expected to decline during the integration process.

WORCESTER, MA—With a bankruptcy judge allowing the company to continue funding employee payroll and benefit expenses pending a July 29 hearing, digital printer LaVigne Inc. is now poised to be sold, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

NILES, IL—Johnson & Quin, a specialist in targeted full service direct mail production and printing services, has completed the acquisition of certain assets, including customer relationships, of Lenexa, KS-based InteliMail, a division of Staples Print Solutions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has acquired Prospectus Central of Fitzgerald, GA. Prospectus Central has powered RR Donnelley's RightProspectus offering, which provides mutual fund companies, variable annuity companies, retirement product companies, broker/dealers and clearing firms with electronic alternatives for distributing prospectuses to investors.

CHICAGO—Like a prize heavyweight title fight that ends a minute into the first round, RR Donnelley's decision not to pursue Quebecor World any further brought to a premature end what could have been a protracted battle waged in two nations—one company vying to establish the largest printing dynasty in the world, the other struggling for the chance to get back on its feet and recapture a former glory.

NAPERVILLE, IL—Solar Communications is closing its doors after nearly 50 years in business due to economic conditions, President and CEO Frank Hudetz said in a  statement. The company has sold its cooperative direct mail line of business, printed paper-poly technology and collating assets to The Taylor Corp. of North Mankato, MN. All activity associated with Solar's card pack business will be handled out of Schmidt Printing, Taylor's Byron, MN, facility. Solar's remaining equipment assets will be auctioned by Great American Group (www.greatamerican.com) on June 30.

MIAMI—Dynacolor Graphics has merged with Franklin Communications, the two companies announced. Dynacolor will operate as a division of Franklin, with Don Duncanson serving as division president. Most of Dynacolor's workforce has been brought along into the new division. Franklin Communications will benefit from Dynacolor's expertise in postcards, calendars and rack brochures.

CANONSBURG, PA—First Impression Printing (FIP) of Pittsburgh has merged its sales and operations into Heeter Direct, based here. Gary Pandolfo, president and owner of FIP, and his wife Ellen will join Heeter Direct and be responsible for developing sales and supporting the new combined sales team. NAPL provided merger and acquisition advisory services to Heeter Direct.

FAIRBORN, OH—Transcontinental Inc. is selling its Transcontinental Miami Valley  printing plant to a company controlled by Ralph Pontillo. The transaction ensures the future of the plant, which specializes in insert printing for local retailers.