By Erik Cagle Senior Editor Even though postal reform remains in a holding pattern and the 2004 economy dragged its feet en route to recovery, major players in the direct mail industry have high expectations to what the coming year will bring after a solid finish to the current year. The 2004 campaign was one of dramatic growth in top-line and bottom-line revenue for IWCO Direct, Chanhassen, MN. The company once again saw solid performances from the financial services and insurance markets, according to Jim Andersen, president and CEO. Top 10 Direct Mail Printers CompanySegmentSales(millions)TotalSales(millions) 1Quebecor WorldMontreal$640$6,400 2RR DonnelleyChicago$492$8,204 3Vertis Inc.Baltimore$317$1,585 4Banta Corp.Menasha, WI$184$1,418
Consolidated Graphics
BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor Catalogs and publications typically are linked operationally and managerially, at least to some degree, within major printing organizations. This is reflected in the high degree of crossover among the Printing Impressions Top 10 Printers rankings for the mag/cat or pub/cat categories, as some call them. The markets these printers serve also share a common outlook in that change is the operative word for catalogs, as well. Online shopping continues to be the dominant market force reshaping the interest in and use of printed catalogs. Top 10 Catalog Printers CompanySegmentSales(millions)TotalSales(millions) 1*RR DonnelleyChicago$1,887$8,204 2Quad/GraphicsSussex, WI$1,040$2,000 3Quebecor WorldMontreal$1,024$6,400 4Arandell Corp.Menomonee Falls, WI$224$244 5Banta Corp.Menasha, WI$156$1,418 6Perry Judd'sWaterloo, WI$98$297 7CenveoEnglewood, CO$86$1,728 8Brown PrintingWaseca, MN$80$400 9Spencer PressWells, ME$75$83 10Consolidated
Now in its 21st year, the Printing Impressions 400 (in this special pull-out section) 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); and number of employees, manufacturing plants and total press units. Financial information for the PI 400 rankings was provided by privately held firms voluntarily. We also did not allow companies that were close to completing a fiscal year to provide projected/estimated sales
Signing Highlights Graphic Communications Day NEW YORK CITY—One highlight of Graphic Communications Day (GCD), held recently at Madison Square Garden, was a signing ceremony between the Association of Graphic Communications (AGC) and Fairleigh Dickinson University launching an Executive MBA in Graphic Communications degree program. arizona PHOENIX—O'Neil Printing, a 96-year-old company, is now running an eight-color Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 102 long perfector with aqueous coater. The 40˝ Speedmaster perfector—reportedly the only press of its kind in the Phoenix market—allows for four-over-four color printing in a single pass. CALIFORNIA CHATSWORTH—S2K Graphics has celebrated its 15th anniversary. Formerly known as Signs 2000, S2K Graphics
Worker Crushed in Accident VERSAILLES, KY—OSHA is investigating an apparent accident at a Quebecor World facility here that led to the death of a longtime employee. Carolyn Cox Campbell, 62, suffered fatal chest trauma Oct. 15 when she was crushed between a forklift and a metal racking system, according to John McCarty, Fayette County, KY, deputy coroner. McCarty indicated that a final autopsy and toxicology report would be completed in about four weeks. Tony Ross, director of communications for Montreal-based Quebecor World, said that Campbell's death, "appears to be an unfortunate accident." CGX Kills Deal for Newbridge HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics (CGX) is no longer pursuing the acquisition
RRD to Sell Package Logistics CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has reached an agreement to sell its package logistics business to Heritage Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm that is the principal owner of American Package Express. Under terms of the agreement, Donnelley will receive cash in exchange for the assets and liabilities of its package logistics business, which includes CTC Direct, a wholly owned subsidiary. The deal, which is expected to close by the end of the third quarter 2004, does not affect Donnelley's print logistics, fulfillment or distribution operations. Quad to Print Return of LIFE SUSSEX, WI—When LIFE makes its return in October as a weekend magazine,
THE FIRST decade in the 21st century has become known for its lists of Top 10s, 50s, 100s—you name it. We have assembled 20 of the printing industry’s finest young executives for your consideration.
Presstek Bids for A.B.Dick NILES, IL—A.B.Dick Co. announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Soon after the announcement, Hudson, NH-based Presstek Inc. unveiled a detailed plan to acquire the business and assets of the company through a U.S. Bankruptcy Code section 363 asset sale, a deal valued at approximately $40 million. Presstek President and CEO Edward Marino stressed that there was no guarantee his company would be successful in the open bidding environment of a bankruptcy proceeding. Bowne's Johnson Retires NEW YORK CITY—Bowne & Co. announced the immediate retirement of Robert M. Johnson from the company and its board of directors for personal reasons.
More Than 700 Get Connected At EFI Event LAS VEGAS—The plush MGM Grand Hotel and Casino was the mecca for approximately 700 worldwide customers as EFI/Connect 2004, Printcafe's fifth annual user's conference, paid a visit to Sin City June 27-30. The conference resembled a mini Graph Expo, with 22 exhibitors showcasing complementary equipment, and 162 educational seminars for users of EFI workflow solutions. The conference opened with a state-of-the-industry report by Andrew Paparozzi, the NAPL's chief economist, titled, "Success Factors of the Profit Leaders." Paparozzi pointed out that the recession has been much more severe for the industry than it has for the rest
CGX Tabs Xerox for Digital Gear HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics (CGX) announced it has selected Xerox to provide digital color printing technology to its 65 nationwide commercial printing locations. As part of the deal, CGX has installed six DocuColor iGen3 digital production presses and six DocuColor 6060 digital color presses. Xerox will also provide marketing and business development resources to assist CGX in introducing these solutions to current and prospective customers. GPO Seeks $25M for Upgrades WASHINGTON, DC—Telling the Committee on House Administration and the House Legislative Subcommittee that the Government Printing Office had the groundwork in place to move the agency's transformation to the "next
