Bobst Group North America

Komori Demos LS29 Press at Open House ROLLING MEADOWS, IL—Komori America held an open house and press demonstration recently to showcase the production capabilities of its new 29˝ Lithrone LS29 sheetfed press, which debuted in April at the IPEX exhibition. Six different forms were run on a six-color model with tower coater to demonstrate its six-minute job changeover capabilities (50 percent faster than the Lithrone 28). The new 16,000 sph, console-driven press comes equipped standard with fully automatic plate changers and blanket washers, and Komori’s KHS pre-inking system, to speed makeready times. Ryobi Opens Press Manufacturing Center HIROSHIMA, JAPAN—Ryobi Limited of Japan has more than doubled the

BOYNTON BEACH, FL—Josef (Joe) Fuchs, a retired senior vice president for Bobst Group USA of Roseland, NJ, died at his home here on Monday. He was 67.Mr. Fuchs immigrated from Switzerland in 1967 and joined the staff at Bobst Champlain. He had been working as a field service technician for Thomson National Press, Bobst’s then-U.S.…

Bindery Goes Large With New Diecutter MOUNT VERNON, OH—Coyne Graphic Finishing, a full-service binding and finishing company, has installed a custom-manufactured Cauhe large-format diecutting machine to produce P-O-P displays and similar products. The Spanish-made Cauhe machine has a 65x120˝ cutting bed, making it among the largest of its kind in the United States. This machine is the company’s fourth large-format diecutter. Growth From ESOP Results in Stitcher BOISE, ID—Alexander Clark Printing, a full-service web and sheetfed shop, recently expanded capacity by purchasing a new Best Osako Estar saddlestitcher from distributor Best Graphics. The added capacity comes just two years after the printer adopted an ESOP plan, resulting

Quad Bindery Crew Cranks Out Jobs LOMIRA, WI—In today's competitive, "must have it yesterday" stitched catalog market, speed and overall output capabilities are the keys to success. At the Quad/Graphics facility here, the production crew is setting the pace for stitching speed and output utilizing a Tempo saddlestitcher from Muller Martini. The Quad Tempo is capable of running at 20,000 cycles per hour and the crew was recently recognized with an "Excellence in Finishing" award as the highest producing saddlestitching team among Quad's arsenal of more than 100 machines. Quad/Graphics' LHT-132 team relies on its 36-pocket Tempo saddlestitcher for production output that enables Quad to

Jetrion will move into a new 35,000-square-foot facility in Ypsilanti, MI, in early 2006. The company also has announced the addition of Pitman Co. as a distributor of its ink-jet systems and inks. Kompac, a division of Day International, is celebrating the successful installation of its 100,000th Kompac automatic dampening system. In other news, the company announced the addition of three new team members: Mike Scaglione as director of sales worldwide; Charles Gray as director of supply chain management; and Carmen Costa as marketing manager. Böwe Bell + Howell has launched its Website, www.bbhsupplies.com, offering an expanded product line and supported by a 24-hour

Quark Inc. announced a strategic alliance with Enfocus Software aimed at improving the overall PDF experience within QuarkXPress and to provide bundled solutions that streamline Certified PDF-based workflows. Agfa's Graphic Systems business group has added an industry specialist to support the company's recent entries into the wide-format printing market. Steve Cutler has joined Agfa's team as marketing manager for the newly formed Sign, Screen and Display segment. Brandtjen & Kluge reports that four employees have reached their 25-year anniversaries with the company. They are Deb Mitchell, accountant; Dave Peterson, journeyman machinist; Kathy Soul, computer technical officer; and Kevin Robbins, sales and service manager. In keeping

Stitcher Installation a First in the States HARTFORD, WI—This month, Quad/Graphics will become the first printer in the United States to install a high-performance Muller Martini Supra saddlestitching system. The Supra will be located at the Quad/Graphics printing center located here. Featuring a newly developed and highly advanced pocket wheel feeder, the new Supra stitcher, shown to the public for the first time at Drupa 2004, offers production speeds of up to 30,000 cycles per hour. Quad's Supra is rated at 25,000 cycles with the new 416 feeder. "Our finishing operations are characterized not just by speed, but by flexibility and efficiency," explains Thomas Quadracci, Quad/Graphics

by chris bauer Managing Editor The new rule of thumb for commercial printers is to cast a net well beyond what is thought of as traditional printing. This is where the growth areas—and profit potentials—linger. Minneapolis-based GLS Companies has taken this rule to heart. In fact, it has expanded into so many markets that it changed its name. A year ago, the company morphed from General Litho Services to GLS Companies to avoid pigeon-holing itself as solely an ink-on-paper provider. The company has expanded into value-added areas such as creative services, digital printing, mailing, distribution and, most recently, package printing and converting—all big changes since getting its

Finishing Supplier Changes Structure HANOVER PARK, IL—Gämmerler, a supplier of materials handling and in-line finishing equipment, is implementing a new global organizational structure designed to unify the company's resources to improve customer support on a global basis. This includes the formation of a senior level, global management team with collective responsibility for worldwide service, sales, marketing, finance, engineering and order management functions. Open House has Post-Drupa Flavor ROSELAND, NJ—In November, Bobst Group USA held its "Direction '04" open house, the North American launch and domestic premier of the 12 new products announced earlier this year at Drupa in Germany. During the three-day open house, U.S. converters