Training and Education

OPPENWEILER, GERMANY—Imagine a manufacturing operation where various MBO folding machines are custom-made to order. Where highly skilled engineers still produce spiral fold rollers by hand—just as they have done since the first MBO machine was built in 1967. And where even the electrical panels for the sophisticated Navigator control system are made in-house. That's just the world a group of U.S. printers and trade binders saw recently during a tour of MBO Binder GmbH & Co.'s manufacturing plant here in this quaint German community located near Stuttgart. MBO also has a large manufacturing facility in Porto, Portugal, used for mass production, whereas equipment assembled in

WASHINGTON, DC—The 14th annual VUE/Point Conference, held here recently, posted almost a 10 percent year-to-year attendance increase. The event organizers also noted that there was a big jump in the percentage of first-time attendees drawn from printing firms. Though historically known for concentrating on prepress and digital technology, this year's conference marks a continuation of the effort to make it a broader graphic communications event. Apart from technical sessions on screening, proofing and CTP technology, much of the 2003 conference focused on management topics such as how printers should be differentiating themselves and avoiding the hazard of selling solely based on price. The title given the

By Erik Cagle ROCHESTER, NY—Stating that the "best learning institution deserves the best resources," Heidelberg Chairman Bernhard Schreier officially handed over the reins of a $7 million to $10 million Sunday 2000 web press to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) at an April 25th formal dedication of the school's new Heidelberg Web Press Lab. The gapless Sunday 2000 consummates a partnership of the vendor and learning institution, initially announced during PRINT 01 in Chicago. Another 17 manufacturers donated accessories, consumables and various trimmings for the Sunday 2000. More than 200 RIT students, faculty, Heidelberg dignitaries, fellow industry vendors, printers and assorted guests packed a tent only

WESTAMPTON, NJ—With an assortment of traditional German Octoberfest foods and beer, as well as a showroom full of various finishing equipment available from the Germany-based folder and accessory manufacturer, the only thing missing from MBO America's recent customer open house held here was a German oompah band wearing lederhosen. According to MBO America President and CEO Hans Max, more than 150 existing clients and prospects—representing both commercial printers and trade binderies—attended the event. It was held over three days in MBO's U.S. headquarters facility. The modern site houses sales, service and parts operations; an extensive equipment showroom, which is used for MBO America's folding schools, training

Even in a world of increasingly more advanced technology, planning for trouble-free paper performance can still come down to the basics. Following a few rules of thumb for paper handling and usage can have a significant impact on a printed product's quality and efficiency of press operation. 1) Streamline workflow—One simple workflow rule to follow is FIFO (First In, First Out). The first paper coming into the warehouse should be the first to be printed, assuming it meets the job requirements. This will prevent paper from aging in the back of a warehouse because access is blocked by more recent paper shipments. Minimizing how

It's not often an industry gets a close look at an $18 billion market worldwide that fits perfectly into its capabilities and skills, but is slipping by, largely uncultivated. This fall's Graph Expo & Converting Expo will give the printing, publishing and converting business just such an opportunity—a comprehensive overview of the untapped large-format digital ink-jet printing market. The show takes place October 6-9 at McCormick Place South in Chicago. It's the foremost U.S. exhibition in 2002, with an expected attendance of more than 40,000 buyers and about 500 exhibitors slated to occupy nearly 365,000 net square feet of booth space. Large-format ink-jet

By Dave Clossey LAS VEGAS—Though the winds of change continue to blow throughout the graphic arts industry, one constant remains: There is always something to learn. The Binding Industries Association International (BIA) provided a valuable educational forum at its recent international conference, held here at the J.W. Marriott Resort April 12-15. This year's conference was dubbed "BIA University," and it provided attendees with numerous opportunities to discuss the changes within the industry as a whole and the association in particular. Of course, it was also a great place to learn a thing or two from an expert panel of speakers, a wide range of vendors

BY DAVE CLOSSEY Though the winds of change continue to blow throughout the graphic arts industry, one constant remains: There is always something to learn. The Binding Industries Association International (BIA) provided a valuable educational forum at its recent international conference, held recently at the J.W. Marriott Resort in Las Vegas. This year's conference was dubbed BIA University, and it provided attendees with opportunities to discuss the changes within the industry as a whole and the association in particular. An opening reception gave attendees a chance to rub elbows with industry peers. According to Brent Eckhart, president of Eckhart & Co. and the outgoing BIA

BY CAROLINE MILLER Building an ongoing training program, even in the best of times, tends to be at the bottom of a printer's to-do list. But, when businesses are faced with economic downturns, it often slides right off that list. However, ignoring employee development can be detrimental in the long run, stresses Greg Morrison, regional training manager for Cadmus Communications. "Several years ago, we came to the realization that we wouldn't be successful in the long term without investing in our people. Our employees are our most critical resource," he reports. So Cadmus designed a dynamic training program to address its workers' needs, according