Consolidated Graphics

Printing Impressions 400: Sign of the Times WOW! I can't believe that this issue marks the 20th year that our editorial staff has been compiling the annual Printing Impressions 400 ranking of the leading printers in the United States and Canada. Along with the PI 400, we present next year's outlook for several key print market segments—another traditional feature of the December issue. Many of you may recall that the list used to include 500 companies, before all of the industry consolidation in the mid- and late-'90s compelled us to lower the number of printers surveyed. Speaking of consolidation, undoubtedly the biggest industry headline

CHICAGO—It seemed many printing companies were willing to pull out their check books during brisk business at GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO, held here late September. But Joe Davis and Houston-based Consolidated Graphics (CGX) may have signed the biggest promissory note of all of the show attendees after announcing that CGX would renew a five-year, $50 million purchasing agreement with Komori America. Davis, chairman, president and CEO of CGX, joined Komori America President Stephan Carter, Komori Corp. President Yoshiharu Komori and other members of both organizations in announcing the renewed partnership, first signed in 1996. "I'm very pleased with the performance of the equipment

Banta Senior Executive Departs MENASHA, WI—Larry Panozzo, president of Banta's $1 billion print sector, has resigned to pursue other interests. "Although I am personally disappointed, I respect and accept Larry's decision. We will miss his deep knowledge, passion and leadership," states Stephanie Streeter, Banta's president and CEO. Panozzo had been with Banta since 1988. A spokesperson for Banta says the company's "succession process" has already begun to fill the position. Courier Corp. Buys Web Press KENDALLVILLE, IN—Courier Corp. has purchased a new four-unit MAN Roland LITHOMAN IV web offset press that is scheduled for installation and startup by next spring. The 48-page LITHOMAN will feature a

CHICAGO—The long awaited rebound in sales, profit and investment in the graphic communications industry appears to be underway based on the performance of industry vendors at this year's GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO. The show, the largest of its kind in the Americas, took place in Chicago from September 28 through October 1. More than 38,000 industry professionals took part in the event, and 580 companies exhibited their latest products and services in 375,000 square feet of display space. "This show has been spectacular," reported Mark Hunt, vice president of marketing at Standard Finishing Systems. "We've been wandering in the desert for several years,

Pressing Ahead By Mark Michelson Editor-in-Chief It's no secret that the stagnant U.S. economy has wrecked havoc on graphic arts industry suppliers the past three years. And, with many printers hesitant to make major capital equipment expenditures, sheetfed, and especially web, offset press manufacturers may have suffered the most of any industry segment. But—partly based on exhibitor reports from the recently completed GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO exhibition—interest in upgrading pressrooms and in the computer-integrated manufacturing concept (CIM) seem to be building. New press sales levels are still a far cry from the go-go '90s, but press suppliers at the show generally reported

Quebecor First in USPS Program MONTREAL—Quebecor World's Trenton, NJ, Mailing Center has been authorized by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to participate in the new Periodical Co-palletization Program. Quebecor World reportedly is the first company to be granted authorization by the USPS for this new program. Participation in the program results in additional postage discounts for mail pieces that migrate from sack to pallet containers. Presently, Quebecor World's Trenton Mailing Center co-mails more than 80 publications and supplemental mailings. Anderson Litho Names President LOS ANGELES—Anderson Lithograph has appointed Mark Tennant to the position of president and general manager. Tennant, a 28-year veteran with Anderson Lithograph, has a

VERNON HILLS, IL—Scheduling flexibility is what sets Aim Business Printers apart from other printers, asserts Richard Sussman, vice president and general manager. To support production of run lengths that vary from 500 to 1 million sheets, the shop installed a PlateRite 4000II thermal plate recorder and Trueflow PDF workflow from Screen (USA). It also implemented Screen's Spekta hybrid AM/FM screening technology. (www.screenusa.com) NORFOLK, VA—The Virginian-Pilot (daily circulation of 200,000 copies) has purchased two Polaris X violet-laser computer-to-plate platesetters from Autologic, an Agfa Co. (www.pilotonline.com/www.agfa.com) HOUSTON—Champagne Fine Printing is adding an HP Indigo digital printing press to assist clients in

By Erik Cagle A dozen manufacturers were asked to list the primary differentiators that set apart multiple brands of collating equipment. It may come as no surprise to learn that virtually no one mentioned the price factor. It seems there are numerous attributes that factor into choosing a collator that is the right fit for a particular printer or trade finisher. The depth of choices on the market only underscores the importance of looking past the price tag, as there is a collator for every need. Versatility is a key ingredient for serving the evolving needs of clients, according to Tony Cockerham of Buhrs

The past three years have been horrendously bad for the printing industry. Some industry experts say that printing market conditions were the worst in 40 years. I heard horror stories every day. I witnessed bankruptcies, I saw lost jobs and I grieved over padlocked companies. It was depressing and I considered buying an ocean-side bar in the Caribbean, or joining a traveling carnival, or running for governor of California (who cares that I reside in Pennsylvania?) or developing an online psychotherapy Website for unemployed printers. I was committed, however, to sticking it out because I had sponsored The Second Great American Print Sales Prospecting

HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics has signed a letter of intent with Solon, OH-based Custom Graphics to merge its operations with Consolidated Graphics' existing operations in Cleveland to form AGS Custom Graphics."This is an exciting opportunity for us to expand our capacity and services to new and existing customers in the Ohio market," says Joe R. Davis, chairman…