Vertis Receives Industry Honor BALTIMORE—The Association for Graphic Arts Training (AGAT) recognized Vertis' contributions to graphic arts education and training with an AGAT Industry Award. AGAT Industry Awards are bestowed to companies that have given extraordinary support to the organization, the industry and the training field. Printers' Gift Helps Fill Santa's Sleigh BALTIMORE—More than $17,000 was raised by members of the Printing and Graphics Association MidAtlantic (PGAMA) for charity at the Santa Claus Anonymous Benefit Auction held at Sparrows Point Country Club in December. Milwaukee-based Visual Systems Inc. (VSI), a manufacturer of overhead transparencies and ancillary products for textbook publishers, has hired Michelle Roloff as human
Fry Communications
MONTEBELLO, CA—For the third consecutive year, Monarch Litho has topped the list with the highest dollar volume of work for the Government Printing Office (GPO). According to the annual Top 50 GPO printers list, compiled by Government Printing Sales of Chambersburg, PA, Monarch Litho registered $25.5 million in GPO work during the federal fiscal year. That gave it a slight edge over NPC, of Claysburg, PA, which came in at a little more than $24 million. Gateway Press, Louisville, KY, garnered the bronze medal with $19.4 million in GPO work. Cenveo ($17.7 million), of Englewood, CO, and St. Louis-based Von Hoffmann Graphics ($13.8 million) finished fourth
By Vincent Mallardi Forget 1-to-1, B-to-B and the like. Nowadays the foregoing are bipolar sales disorders. Instead, try a new formula. It can take sales to the third power, and is called triangular selling. This is where a "third party," besides the ordinary buyer and seller, is brought into the transaction. The results cube your sales as you step out of the square—the new math of marketing exponentially. Who's new? Three third parties may be invited: a benefactor [B] or payer who's independent of the buyer, a content provider [C] with a gift of graphic information, a distribution channel [D] with a place to place the print,
Journal Shutters Dixie Web MILWAUKEE—Dixie Web Printing, the New Orleans-based printing arm of Journal Communications hit by Hurricane Katrina, will not resume operations, the company announced in its third quarter report. Journal Communications said the decision was made due to softness prior to the storm, and the fallout resulting from Katrina—building damage, operating losses and uncollectible receivables. About 100 jobs were lost at Dixie. Graphcom Joining CGX Family HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics (CGX) has inked a letter of intent to acquire Graphcom Inc., of Atlanta. The transaction was expected to be completed within 60 days. The deal speaks to CGX's long-term strategy for expanding its geographic footprint, reports Joe
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
Innovate '05 Takes Digital Printing on the Road ROCHESTER, NY—Innovate '05 has begun its 14-city sweep across North America, offering attendees a day-long, free seminar on digital printing. Xerox Corp. is working with more than 25 industry partners to put on the tour. The program is designed to "help print providers and professionals in the marketing, creative and design services fields use digital printing technology to increase productivity, reduce costs, improve work processes and provide more services." Each tour stop will feature a keynote address delivered by Howie Fenton, senior consultant of digital technology, National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL); Bob Tapella, chief of
RRD Names Richter New CFO CHICAGO—Glenn Richter, former CFO for Sears, Roebuck and Co., has been named to fill the same role for RR Donnelley effective April 1. Richter replaces Kevin Smith, executive vice president and CFO. Richter brings big-name corporate experience to the Donnelley fold. Prior to joining Sears, he held several senior financial positions with Dade Behring Holdings. He also served various roles with PepsiCo Inc. and was a consultant with McKinsey & Co. Times Taps Goss for Controls NEW YORK—Six New York Times printing facilities are slated to receive press controls and digital inking as part of a phased press upgrade initiative. The enhancements
Heidelberg Showcases Equipment Range CRANBURY, NJ—Heidelberg USA held an open house here at its Tech Center East showroom early last month, attracting about 150 people. Demonstrations of equipment included its Suprasetter thermal and Prosetter violet CTP platesetters, Quickmaster DI 46-4 Pro with smart spooling mechanism and Speedmaster SM 52-5P+L with retractable in-line coating unit presses, Stitchmaster ST 100 saddlestitcher, Stahlfolder TH series folder and Polar 115 XT cutter, among others. Seminars held the same day featured Bill Bonallo, technotrans america, on trends in UV coatings; Mark Tonkovich, Heidelberg USA, on thermal platesetter innovations; and Paul Keuchenius, Heidelberg USA, on long perfecting press innovations. KBA North
arizona PHOENIX—Harte Bindery & Mailing recently added a TD 66 Stahlfolder with continuous feed and a Stahl digital folder. The new postpress systems are being used to finish brochures and other general commercial materials. Since the installation, capacity at Harte Bindery has doubled. california IRVINE—Mini-Mailers has changed its name to MMi. It has also launched its Digital Color Direct Mail department. Using Web-to-print technology, MMi will offer integrated services from design to mailing in one process. MMi began as a one-man operation in 1986. It now employs 150 at two locations. LOS ANGELES—Cenveo Anderson Lithograph has purchased a six-unit Mitsubishi Diamond 16 MAX commercial
california CERRITOS—National Card, Label and Affixing Inc. (NCLA) has purchased a Duplo DC-545HC slitter/cutter/creaser. The company is printing personalized marketing materials on an HP Indigo digital press, and then finishing on the DC-545HC. CITY OF INDUSTRY—K-1 Packaging Group, a privately held package printer located here, has installed a six-color, 41˝ KBA Rapida 105 sheetfed press featuring KBA's Logotronic system and a 12 ft. extended delivery. SANTA ANA—Q2 Inc. has purchased a new six-color Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 102 press, marking the company's expansion into a full-service, seamless provider of digital photography, prepress and printing services. colorado GRAND JUNCTION—Colorado Printing is now using EFI's Printcafe
