Consolidated Graphics

IF THIS magazine chose to hand out an award for the biggest newsmaker of the year, the 2008 honor would go to Quebecor World (QW), hands down. One might contend that the attention, while merited, is not the type of exposure a company would want: Financing issues, trying to sell an unprofitable venture and muddling through with bankruptcy in two countries. But Quebecor World is a printer for our economic times, the No. 2 in North America at a time when market leaders (Circuit City, AIG, Lehman Bros.) have come crashing down.

NOW IN its 25th year, the Printing Impressions 400 provides the industry’s most comprehensive ranking of the leading printing companies in the United States and Canada. The listings include company name and headquarters location; parent company, if applicable; current and previous year’s rankings; most recent and previous year’s fiscal sales; percentage change; primary specialties; principal officer(s); as well as number of employees, manufacturing plants and total press units.  

Printing Impressions’ Digital Printing and Workflow News for December, 2008.

LAST MONTH marked my third anniversary heading up mergers and acquisitions at Consolidated Graphics (CGX), and it feels like three months instead of three years. This may be due partly to the fact that we have been very busy on the M&A front.

Former printing company executive Arthur Wetzel, shown on the left, is the man of the hour during his 105th birthday celebration in August. Sharing in the festivities is Joe Davis, the president and CEO of Consolidated Graphics in Houston. Read story in Bits and Pieces.

Technology Drives Business Growth FALL CREEK, WI—Mail Source, a provider of integrated direct mail solutions, has added a Domino dual-head, drop-on-demand (DoD) imaging system to complement its existing capacity. This additional line can duplex personalize plastic cards at extremely high speeds using UV cured ink. The 20 year-old western Wisconsin company continues to invest millions of dollars in technology to attract high-volume business—without a sales staff (although it employs 100). For Mini Folds, the Smaller the Better NEW BRITAIN, CT—Connecticut Valley Bindery recently purchased a two-station Vijuk G&K V-14 SAF miniature folder with HHS hot glue system from Vijuk Equipment. “We are excited

TSK Names HBSI as U.S. Distributor PLAINFIELD, IN—TSK (Tokyo Shuppan Machinery) and TSK America announce the appointment of Hines Bindery Systems (HBSI), based here, as the exclusive U.S. and Canadian distributor of TSK’s line of perfect binders, gathering machines, tipping systems and three-knife trimmers. The firm’s “flagship” adhesive binders are the TMA-18, TMA-21 and TMA-24, rated at up to 10,000 books per hour. TSK also provides proprietary sensors, monitors and quality-control devices for its gatherers and binders, and for retrofitting to existing systems. According to TSK officials, HBSI was selected as the company’s exclusive distributor in the United States and Canada due to its

New Plant Draws Large Crowd ALEXANDRIA, VA— DigiLink welcomed about 325 guests to an open house in celebration of its new, 39,000-square-foot facility. The new building allowed DigiLink to consolidate its printing and bindery operations under one roof. According to Michael Wight, president and CEO of DigiLink, the facility has enabled the printer to enjoy 15 percent growth since it moved there in early March. Wight says the company is in the process of selecting a new six-color press. RIS, Parsons, Mohawk, IKON, EFI, Pitman, Komori and KBA were among the vendors on hand. RPI, Tukwila, WA, announced three new appointments. Russell

Shareholders OK Vertis Plan BALTIMORE—Vertis shareholders approved the company’s prepackaged plan of organization. Once the plan becomes effective, Vertis can proceed with its merger with American Color Graphics (ACG). The restructuring will allow Vertis to reduce debt and interest cost, refocus investments and complete both the reorganization and merger in a couple of months, according to Mike DuBose, chairman and CEO of Vertis. Direct Group Makes Investment SWEDESBORO, NJ—Direct marketing specialist Direct Group has purchased 32 Océ VarioStream 8750 systems to upgrade capacity; increase uptime, speed and operational efficiencies; and take advantage of some of the industry’s latest digital technology, including flexible color

HOUSTON/ITASCA, IL—July 10, 2008—Consolidated Graphics Inc. (NYSE: CGX), one of the largest North American general commercial printing companies, has purchased three Xeikon 6000 1,200 dpi digital color presses. With annual revenues of $1.2 billion, Consolidated Graphics has 70 printing businesses in the United States and Canada, as well as a facility in Europe, and is a renowned leader in the use of digital printing technology. The unique combination of uncompromising quality (1,200 dpi at 4 bits/spot), size capabilities, speed, and productivity offered by the Xeikon 6000 made it the obvious choice. The company took its first Xeikon 6000 press into production in June of