AlphaGraphics

Salt Lake City-based AlphaGraphics reports it is planning to reach 500 locations over the next five years. Ingrid Wilmet has joined Impressions Inc. of St. Paul, MN, as an account manager. Kim Hawley has joined Dallas-based Taylor Publishing as vice president of sales and marketing for the Taylor Specialty Book division. He most recently held the position of sales manager for the Commercial Book division of Walsworth Publishing. Richard Eade, formerly of Butler Color Press, has joined Inserts East in Pennsauken, NJ, as director of operations. Des Plaines Publishing, Des Plaines, IL, announced that Michael Ford has joined the company as president and CEO.

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2004. Therefore, companies that revised their 2003 revenues may have changed their 2003 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 251 ('03: 245) Fisher Group, Hiawatha, IA Total Sales (Millions): $20.00 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $20.00 Change (%): - Principal Officer: Martin C. Fisher Employees: 145 Primary Specialties: DM 90%; ADV 6%; CAT 4% Web Offset Press Units: 13 Sheetfed Press Units: 0 Other Press Units: 0

Whither lies the future of the franchise printer? Well, while most observers agree that the bountiful years of the 1980s will likely never return, there is ample opportunity to enjoy growth for those who buy into a particular franchisor's mantra. Sure, there's been a lot of fireworks on the quick printer side in the past year.

Donnelley Gets USPS Certified CHICAGO—R.R. Donnelley has become the first commercial printer to be approved for the second phase of PostalOne! certification by the United States Postal Service—for the electronic submission of postal statements. PostalOne! is a system that allows for electronic submission of postage statements and corresponding presort documentation. Gateway Installs Perfecting Unit LOUISVILLE, KY—An eight-unit Mitsubishi Diamond 3000R perfecting press has been installed at Gateway Press. The press features a centralized operator makeready and control system (COMRAC). Sheridan Books Adds Web Press CHELSEA, MI—Sheridan Books has installed a Timsons T48A arch web press at its facility here. The press, which features a simultaneous plate changing

GPO Appropriations Approved WASHINGTON, DC—Congress has approved funding for the Government Printing Office's (GPO) Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation to the tune of $71.4 million for fiscal year 2001, down nearly 3 percent from the $73.2 million approved for fiscal year 2000. The appropriation is used to cover the costs of printing work that the GPO performs for Congress, such as the Congressional Record, bills, reports and hearings. Congress also ticketed $27.9 million (down roughly 6 percent from 2000) for the salaries and expenses appropriation of the superintendent of documents. The funding is used to cover the costs of distributing government publications as required

In the commercial printing market, one technology no longer fits all. Methods for putting ink on paper have multiplied like rabbits. Today's print buyers can choose the method that precisely matches their needs for volume, quality and turnaround. That leaves printers looking for new business strategies. RPL Graphics believes it has found one. This Northern California printer, with annual sales topping $4.6 million, has transformed itself in the last few years and now offers a mix of services aimed at filling every need a customer might have. Company ProfileName: RPL GraphicsLocation: Dublin, CAEmployees: 31Annual Sales: $4.6 millionFamily-owned RPL has 31 employees in three plants