Offset Printing - Sheet-Fed

CHICAGO—October 20, 2008—xpedx, North America’s largest distributor of printing supplies and equipment, is expanding its drive to provide U.S. print professionals with cost-effective, world-class printing technology.

RESTON, VA—10/17/08—The three factors that reportedly most influence the purchase decision of an offset press are speed, price and quality—which isn’t altogether surprising, considering that printers become subject to those same considerations when it comes to trying to win print jobs. “The only way a printer can survive today is to have control over the cost of the printed product,” says Don Bence, vice president of Sakurai USA Inc., “Unfortunately, commercial printing is being treated as a commodity today, with extreme price pressures in the market.”

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL—October 15, 2008—At Graph Expo 08, Komori will demonstrate three state of the art printing presses focused on helping printers maximize productivity and profitability. Under the banner “The Journey is What Moves You,” Komori will demonstrate three printing presses that will show attendees how easy it is to get jobs on and off a Komori press—critical in reducing cost and waste.

CHICAGO—October 14, 2008—xpedx and Ryobi will demonstrate and discuss new print technology and custom services for print professionals at Graph Expo 2008 in Chicago.  Visitors will see new prepress, pressroom and post-press equipment in a live print production environment.

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—10/02/2008—Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will, based on first calculations, achieve sales between 800 and 820 million Euro in the second quarter of the current financial year 2008/2009 (July 1 to September 30). Thus, sales volume is less than expected for the quarter following drupa trade fair and decreased by 10 percent compared with the same quarter in the previous financial year. Based on orders generated at drupa, Heidelberg had expected a stronger increase in sales in comparison to the first quarter of the current financial year, but recognises significant reluctance to invest in all regions because of the actual economic situation.

WESTMONT, IL—10/02/08—The Power Printers training program at manroland has attracted much attention in recent years.  Pressroom personnel and management throughout North America were impressed by what they learned and have shared that knowledge with others in their organizations.  With several classes remaining on the schedule in 2008, more than 2,500 people will have earned Power Printers certification in the last five years.

Industry consolidation, economic uncertainties, soaring costs for raw materials and energy and many other forces are changing our industry at the speed of thought. At NPES’ 75th Annual Conference, November 15-17 in St. Pete Beach, FL, participants will have an opportunity to learn firsthand how one progressive print organization managed to overcome these challenges. Read on for this preview of how, by developing strategic partnerships with industry manufacturers and service providers, the Valpak Manufacturing Center in St. Petersburg, FL has become a showcase of automated print production—and has managed to hold the line on costs for its customers, increased its productivity and morphed its employees into a skilled workforce for tomorrow. Valpak is one of North America’s leading direct marketers with $260 million in annual revenue and about 1,200 employees in Pinellas County. Valpak reaches more than 45 million unique addresses each month in the United States and Canada and is owned by Largo-based Cox Target Media.

WHILE A student at American University in Washington, DC, Jim Andersen taught swimming on the side to youngsters at Kenwood Country Club in nearby Bethesda, MD. Little did Andersen realize at the time that the father of two students would soon alter his career path.

THERE ARE those for whom life is a game to be won, a foe to be vanquished, or a trial to endure. And then there are those for whom life is a treasure to appreciate, a companion to love and a wonderful memory waiting to happen. Ralph Johnson fits into the latter category.

IT WOULD be safe to say that Jim Mayes is having the type of year that most printing executives would dream about, and it’s not due to a huge influx in the bottom line for his company, ColorCraft of Virginia.