Agfa Graphics

BY MARK SMITH The only constant may be change, but things have gotten pretty quiet on most fronts of the digital revolution in printing. Even computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), arguably, is more about a workflow evolution than revolution. One area that remains unsettled is proofing. Decades after the first digital systems were introduced, the industry is still debating what's the "right" solution. It's probably not reasonable to think one solution could meet the needs of every print shop and application. Nonetheless, the proliferation of systems is leading print execs to ask, "Why do I have so many proofers in my shop?" A related question is

BY MARK SMITH Two truisms seem to come up in most discussions of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) in the printing industry. One, print is a custom manufacturing process. Two, it may be the only manufacturing environment in which the customer provides—or at least controls—so much of the raw materials. Striving to build a Smart Factory and implementing CIM-based production are worthwhile goals, but the full benefits only come when the definition of workflow is extended beyond the walls of a printing plant. Connecting to customers' upstream processes is required to achieve true integration. That's a tall order. The range of print customers and applications

BY MARK SMITH Rarely does the first generation of a "revolutionary" new technology live up to expectations. In software circles, for example, painful experience has taught many users to wait for version 2.0 of any new release. The saying, "Once bitten, twice shy," definitely applies. The greater the degree of disappointment, the longer the road will be to convincing potential adopters that a technology is now "real." Both stochastic/frequency-modulated (FM) screening and high-fidelity/extended gamut color separation technologies first made a lot of noise in the market during the mid '90s. Versions of each achieved some success, but both have been seen as failed technologies

German Trainer Comes to Jersey WESTAMPTON, NJ—Dietmar Block, technical advisor from the Wohlenberg paper cutter factory in Germany, recently held a five-day, in-depth training course here at the headquarters of MBO America to help keep the company's technicians up-to-date on the latest paper cutting techniques. Komori America has consolidated the Komori HRB and Komori Midwest sales territories. Mike VanCalbergh, vice president of sales, Midwest region, now manages the new territory, which covers Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and western Pennsylvania. Dr. Horst Steppat is now responsible for R&D and service at basysPrint in Germany. In his

Paper Signs Deal for New Press PEORIA, IL—The Peoria Journal Star, a Copley Press property, has signed with MAN Roland for a new Geoman press to replace its current Goss letterpress system. The 42-couple, eight-web machine, earmarked to more than double the paper's color capacity, will reside in a new 66,000-square-foot extension that's being added to the company's facility here. california ANAHEIM—KNI Inc., a book manufacturer, has acquired Complete Reproduction Service, a Santa Ana, CA-based book manufacturer. The two companies will operate from the KNI facility here. Additional equipment that will be added include a three-knife trimmer, Wire-O and spiral binding machines,

By Erik Cagle The last thing Corporate Press wanted was to be dubbed a one-trick pony. Sure, the Landover, MD-based printer has made a name for itself in the commercial realm, but providing cradle-to-grave solutions for customers has been the Number One priority all along. According to Mike Butala, general manager of Corporate Color—one of five divisions that comprise the Corporate Press organization, the printer has avoided "pigeon hole" labels by forging a reputation based on its versatility. "By involving ourselves in our customer problems beyond simply commercial printing, we have provided solutions within our corporation that increase customer satisfaction and loyalty," he says.

BY MARK SMITH Maybe the time has come to start an industry support group. "Hello. My name is Tom, and my print shop has yet to install a computer-to-plate system." Actually, a large number of U.S. printing companies are still making plates conventionally. There are perfectly valid reasons for not having made the move to CTP-based production, but probably not since high school have printing managers felt so pressured by the notion that "everyone is doing it." With some fits and starts, CTP has gone mainstream faster than many predicted. Today's buyers include shops on their second or third generation of technology, along with

NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies elected three new directors at its annual meeting in October. The new directors, elected to three-year terms expiring at the 2005 annual meeting, are: H.A. Brandtjen III, president, Brandtjen & Kluge, St. Croix Falls, WI; John Hamm, vice president of marketing, Xerox Corp., Worldwide Graphic Arts Business, McLean, VA; and Juergen Stolt, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Pantone Inc., Carlstadt, NJ. In addition, Edward McLoughlin, president of Oxy-Dry Corp., and Prime UV Systems received the 2002 Harold W. Gegenheimer Awards for Industry Service at the NPES conference. Enovation Graphic Systems has named Paul

Americans Trek to H+H Open House BIELEFELD, GERMANY—For any printer, trade binder or mailing house interested in specialized finishing equipment, ranging from sophisticated in-line mailing machinery and miniature folders on up to 62x75˝ map folders, this quaint German town located 60 miles southwest of Hannover was the center of the graphic arts universe recently. More than 1,000 visitors from around the world, including a U.S group organized by MBO America, attended a four-day open house at the headquarters of Herzog + Heymann (H+H), arguably the world leader in mailing and specialized folding equipment. Four separate halls were set up for demonstrations featuring 21 H+H

RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ—Agfa recently concluded a three-day Apogee user conference in Ghent, Belgium. This was the third time Apogee users (185 from 21 countries) gathered to discuss workflow issues and solutions. Technology partners Adobe Systems, Enfocus, Hewlett-Packard and ScenicSoft joined Agfa to provide insights into the next generation of workflow automation, which the company says is essential to printing business growth. Jean-François Cuillerier, of Quebecor World, a co-developer of Agfa Delano, emphasized the positive results of automation at the printer. "We are in control," he noted. "There is less stress in the plant and less confusion. We have more predictability, and our customers