THE TIMING of the U.S. printing industry’s most important trade show could hardly have been worse. It took place amidst a barrage of media coverage on dried up commercial credit markets that threaten companies, across many industries, from securing financing to meet their short-term commitments—let alone receiving the financing to make capital equipment expenditures.
The focus at Graph Expo was on what’s available to buy today, especially with the deadline looming for the investment tax credit. Digital press vendors asserted that the current economic conditions play to the technology’s strengths. Shorter runs produced on demand combined with more targeted, personalized printing enable the industry’s end customers to make the most of their printing spend, the argument goes. And, it’s more sustainable to boot.
Countless binding and finishing technology providers were candid in their positive assessments of how the scene went down in McCormick Place South. It wasn’t all cartwheels and champagne popping, but this year’s Graph Expo did exceed the expectations of many.
EXPLOSIVE is how the executives at Irvine, CA-based MyPrint Corp. would describe the growth their company has experienced in the past three years. MyPrint operates on a simple mantra: “Focus on the things that make our customers very successful and do them exceedingly well.”
As the new millennium ticks away, Omaha Print (name change circa 1885) continues to be a model Midwestern company, employing nearly 100 townsfolk who still produce a much-needed commodity: sales catalogs for the breeders of cows and pigs.
There is a new era dawning at Sun Inc. as it works to bring online a completely new facility in Columbia, SC. “It’s going to incorporate a totally integrated production system from front to back,” Cook says with pride. “We are going to be one of the few shops in the country that has gone to this extent, if there are any others that can match us.”
There are 27 employees at Star Print & Mail, including a programmer who specializes in postal issues, such as mailing rates, as well as variable data projects. The company, which was established in 1906 and whose original claim to fame included producing racy burlesque posters for New York and Philadelphia saloons, offers offset and digital printing, a complete bindery and a wide range of mailing services. Clients include national and local corporations, colleges and universities, ad agencies, non-profit groups and general commercial accounts. Interestingly, with all the services that Star Print has to offer, there is no marketing person.
Printing Impressions' Bindery and Finishing Commercial Printing News for 2008
HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—As many as 2,500 Heidelberg workers from around the world could lose their job as the parent company expects a "significant downturn in sales." The move is part of an accelerated plan to save 200 million euros, or $261 million, as the company expects a marked reduction in operating results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009.
CHICAGO—October 27, 2008—The International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) Organization today announced the results of it biannual election of Advisory Board representatives and Board of Directors officers.
