Agfa Graphics

NOT LONG after the close of Drupa 2004, the 2008 edition of the international printing exhibition was already being called the “ink-jet Drupa.” Upping the time frame, the title of a keynote panel at the just-completed On Demand Conference & Expo asked, “Is Ink-jet the Technology Story for 2007?” It should be clarified that both are references to color page printing in a production environment, and not wide-format or consumer photographic printing. For 2006, the big story in ink-jet printing was industrial printing applications. It seemed as if every vendor was talking about flatbed machines capable of printing on a wide range of substrates.

AS GRAPHIC communications professionals, we must work within a global supply chain. In today’s industry, is that a problem? Not all the time. But, even under the best conditions, there can be slight alterations in the chain, particularly with regard to material composition, that will create minor glitches or delays that affect the quality of the projects that come off-press—or, at least, the costs and the timing involved in moving those projects through the printing process. It’s the graphic communications version of the Butterfly Effect, also known as the Chaos Theory, which holds that a small change in the manufacture of one component in, say, China,

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—On the heels of a fourth quarter loss fueled in part by escalating costs of raw materials, Agfa-Gevaert has decided to split into three public companies in the hopes of boosting its sagging results.The company will trade under three independently listed companies—Agfa Graphics, Agfa HealthCare and Agfa Materials—by the end of 2007. Shareholders will…

HP Indigo Press Users Get the Scoop TAMPA, FL—There were no signs of the terrible twos or growing pains at the 2007 Dscoop Annual Conference, just the second users meeting for this group of HP Indigo press owners. Total registration was nearly double that of the inaugural event last year. A greater focus on the packaging and label printing market segments contributed to a spike in attendance to around 750 people. The keynote address by NFL Hall of Fame Coach Marv Levy kicked off the conference sessions. Levy used anecdotes from his coaching days to relate his philosophies on people management and motivation. Following

FROM THE workflow and business standpoints, there’s becoming less of a need to make a distinction between digital and offset printing. New tools are bringing together the formally divided file processing paths, and digital devices are becoming standard equipment for more offset shops. With concerns about quality largely assuaged, it’s all becoming just printing under one service umbrella. The one exception is variable data printing, which remains somewhat of a special case from a production standpoint due to the processing required to integrate content from databases. The market that Western Graphics, St. Paul, MN, is targeting with all of its services (digital or offset)

G.F. Puhl Co. Building New Facility GALLATIN, TN—Construction is underway on a new 51,000-square-foot office and manufacturing complex for G.F. Puhl Co. Gregg Puhl, president, states that the new facility will improve manufacturing capacity and capability, and give additional storage space while providing a better work environment for office, technical service and manufacturing staffs. Puhl engineers and manufactures trim collection systems for the printing industry, folding carton corrugated box manufacturers and document destruction companies. The move is expected to be completed in the spring. 10-Color Perfector with Double Coaters Showcased ALLEN, TX—Sheetfed and web offset printer ColorDynamics and Komori America executives hosted

ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM—Telephone directory producer Stevens Graphics is expanding its press fleet with the addition of a double-circumference KBA Compacta 818 web press at its facility here. HUNTSVILLE—AdeptMedia Corp. has installed its first digital press, a Xerox iGen3 110 color digital production press. PELHAM—Dealer Independent Graphic Services has sold a Sakurai 574EPII sheetfed press to Sweet Pea Designs. ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK—In its quest to continually enhance production capacity and print quality, Magna IV has installed its first convertible press. The 40˝ Mitsubishi Diamond 3000R is configured for four-over-four sheetfed printing with aqueous tower coaters before and after the sheet-reversing unit. CALIFORNIA GARDENA—A five-color, 40˝ MAN Roland 700 press with coater is

OAKDALE, MN— December 12, 2006—NELA-USA is pleased to announce that NELA and Agfa have come to an agreement wherein service of all Western Lithotech Lith X Pozers will now be handled by NELA. NELA is also pleased to announce that they have hired Terry Shelton, formerly of Agfa, to head up this effort. Any customer desiring service or parts for the Lith X Pozers should now call NELA-USA at (888) 407-4808. Terry is also available at (651) 407-4821 in his office in Oakdale MN. Assistance in web width reduction on the units is also available. About NELA NELA (USA) together with

Digital Press Strengthens Partnership CEDAR FALLS, IA—The joint purchase of a Kodak NexPress 2100 plus digital color press and Kodak NexGlosser unit has enabled Woolverton Printing and American Color Imaging to reach new customers in the photo services market. Since the installation, John Lynch, owner of commercial printer Woolverton Printing, and Mark Lane, owner of American Color Imaging, a professional photo lab, report they have strengthened their partnership and grown their businesses. Press Added for Lenticular Work FRESNO, CA—Big3D.com Worldwide has ordered a six-color MAN Roland 500 press with in-line coating and an extended delivery. The privately held company is a leader in lenticular and three-dimensional printing

RESTON, VA—November 9, 2006—NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies announced the election of several new directors at its Annual Conference November 6 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Elected to terms expiring at the 2009 Annual Meeting were four new directors: • Michael Fox, President of Screen USA • Don Harvey, Vice President and General Manager of XpedX Printing Technologies • Marc Olin, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Professional Printing Applications • Thomas Wetjen, Vice President of Worldwide Graphic Communications at Xerox Corporation Nominated for re-election to terms expiring at the 2009 Annual Meeting were: • Timothy Combs, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Fujifilm