Goss International

THERE MAY have been fewer large sheetfed presses or standalone web press units on the show floor at last month’s Graph Expo and Converting Expo exhibition—especially in comparison to the PRINT show held last year—but don’t infer that this resulted in disappointing sales activity and lead generation for conventional offset press exhibitors. Quite the contrary. Even with less heavy iron dotting the landscape at Chicago’s McCormick Place South Hall, the general consensus among press manufacturers indicated it was the most productive Graph Expo event they’ve experienced since the late ’90s. Visitor traffic was brisk and serious buying activity persisted. Chalk it up to

GOVERNMENT CARS came to a screeching halt in front of Geographics’ facility and FBI agents quickly swarmed the building. Two officers were at the front, two covered the back. They pounded on the doors. Was Geographics owner Norvin Hagan busted during his first week on the job? Though it seemed to be the case, Hagan was innocent. It was steamy Atlanta, 1976. Apparently the previous owner of the company had been jimmying the postage meter for a number of years, only paying for every fifth or sixth mail piece. But the G Men had gotten wise to his antics. And screwing around with USPS

Centenarian Printer Continues to Evolve BARBERTON, OH—Davis Printing is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The company was founded in 1906 by John R. Davis., who produced a weekly newspaper and provided printing services to the public. Today, the full-service commercial printer offers sheetfed offset and digital printing, complete bindery, mailing and fulfillment, and Web-based services. Recently, Davis Printing also acquired Merrick Graphics. Steve Merrick was named Davis Printing’s vice president of marketing and president of the new creative division, Merrick Design Group. ALABAMA MONTGOMERY—Wells Printing has installed a Sakurai 675SD sheetfed press with coater. It was purchased through dealer Independent Graphic Services.

NEW YORK, NY—October 24, 2006—TanaSeybert, LLC, the largest privately held company for print management solutions in New York City, today announced that it has made a major expansion of its production capabilities by purchasing the equipment of Graphic Management Inc., a web and sheetfed plant located in Mountainside, NJ. TanaSeybert also has signed a long-term lease to operate in the 50,000-sq.-ft. facility, where production will be integrated and coordinated with activities at the company’s 140,000-sq.-ft. print manufacturing headquarters at 525 West 52nd Street in Manhattan. The new facility has a full complement of press and postpress equipment for all forms of commercial and package printing. The

ST. PETERSBURG, FL—Cox Target Media is ushering in its new $200 million, 500,000-square-foot facility here with the installation of two eight-color Goss Sunday 4000 web presses with Automatic Transfer technology to produce its Valpak direct marketing products. The facility is slated to open in 2007. The non-stop print production system does not have to stop for makereadies, and four-color job changes will be done every 12 minutes, according to Jim Sampey, executive vice president of operations for Cox Target Media. The company hopes to more than double the 20 billion targeted direct mail coupons it produces annually for the national Valpak program. The Sunday 4000 presses

MARKET PRICING in the B2B and special interest publications realm can be described in one word, according to Dan Rodriguez, general manager of Cadmus Specialty Publications. Predatory. If you want to play ball in this space, you’d better think Yankee Stadium. New York City is the eye of the publishing storm; conquer the Big Apple, and you’ve got it made. Were it only so easy. That predatory nature of the competition won’t allow printers to rest on the good will they’ve accrued. Laurel resting is not advised. Cadmus Specialty Publications, based in Easton, PA, has adapted to its environment. Its proximity (just 80

Direct Mail House Adds Binding Gear ESSEX, VT—The Offset House, a growing direct mail printer that specializes in catalogs, reports making improvements in speed and operational efficiency since the installation of two new saddlestitching machines from Muller Martini: a Prima SB and a BravoPlus. Goss Holds Forum on Print Finishing DURHAM, NH—Twenty eight representatives from printing companies throughout the United States and Canada attended a forum on print finishing technology at the Goss International facility here in July. “This was part of our ongoing commitment to exchanging information about technology and market requirements, and incorporating customer input directly into our product design process,” notes Toby Clarke, vice

Open House Event Deemed a Success LINCOLNSHIRE, IL—Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (MLP U.S.A.) hosted a technology open house recently at the company’s headquarters here. Billed as “Diamond Days,” the event focused on the theme “New Technology Opening New Worlds,” exemplified by the latest advancements in the Diamond series 40˝ sheetfed press lineup. Highlighted were the Diamond 3000LX press, the Diamond 3000TP Tandem Perfector and the new Mabeg RS 104 in-line reel sheeter. Wausau Paper announced several new hires in the marketing department for its Printing and Writing sector. Jennifer Cox has joined Wausau as product manager. Andrea Alstad takes over as brand manager for the

Gämmerler will launch the BL 408 bindery stacker for use behind saddlestitchers, perfect binders, folders and inserters. Features wide format range, two-stage stacking system and a low copy drop height. The infeed is equipped with four top belts and eight bottom belts. Visit www.piworld.com/infocenter and enter number 381 Goss International will unveil its Pacesetter 2200 and 2500 saddlestitchers. The systems feature servo-driven hoppers and excel at quick makereadies. The Pacesetter 2200 system completes up to 22,000 books per hour. The Pacesetter 2500 model features a dual stitcher and a 25,000 books per hour capacity. Visit www.piworld.com/infocenter and enter number

Valassis Nixes ADVO Deal LIVONIA, MI—Alleging fraud, Valassis Com­munications has sued ADVO in chancery court to rescind its $1.3 billion merger agreement. Valassis alleges ADVO intentionally provided false information and “withheld material information” regarding operating income. The suit also alleges ADVO executives knew of significant internal control deficiencies associated with ADVO’s order-to-cash system. ADVO sees the move as “merely a smokescreen to hide the fact that Valassis is suffering from an extreme case of buyer’s remorse,” and plans to contest the action. Quad Hits the West Coast SUSSEX, WI—Quad/Graphics has ventured west with the acquisition of Craftsman Press West, based in Reno, NV. The facility becomes Quad’s