Heidelberg

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

Window into the Future With the hustle and bustle of last month's Drupa 2004 now completed, this issue highlights some of the new products that became commercially available during the 14-day event, various vendor announcements, as well as a peek into future technologies that will shape the graphics arts industry for years to come. Just as important, the general sentiment among the more than 394,000 visitors and 1,860 exhibitors filling 17 halls was that market conditions—albeit fragile—are showing signs of a sustained recovery. Referred to by many as the "JDF Drupa," it should have been termed the "Workflow Drupa" even though, as Frank Romano

By Mark Michelson Editor-in-Chief The rain may have made it a bit more difficult for visitors to maneuver between the 17 halls during the first week of the 14-day Drupa 2004 trade exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, last month, but that surely didn't dampen the spirits of the reported 394,000-plus attendees. Nor did it keep the 1,862 equipment, software and consumables exhibitors representing 52 nations from showcasing their latest R&D and product development efforts. And while there may not have been any one "blockbuster" piece of equipment or technology that everyone at the show was buzzing about, there surely was an assortment of new product

Growth Seen in Color Digital Printing Output NEW YORK CITY—Acceptance and use of any new technology is usually a direct function of a decline in cost and an increase in quality or functionality. Digital color printing is following this pattern. According to a new report released recently by TrendWatch Graphic Arts (TWGA), prices for digital presses and related consumables costs have declined significantly. This, in conjunction with technological advancements that have enhanced output quality, has led to a steady increase in investment in digital color equipment, which reportedly is up five percentage points in the last 12 months. In addition, demand for digital

arizona PHOENIX—Roswell Bookbinding has installed a Muller Martini Monostar perfect binder with inline Zenith three-knife trimmer; a Brehmer high-speed Smyth sewer; and the Optigraf Opticontrol print recognition system. california FREMONT—Spectrum Lithograph has purchased the Kawahara TXR- 1100 series blank separator. Spectrum Lithograph utilizes the new investment for blanking packaging boxes, CD wallets and more. MODESTO—A Rilecart PB-796 automatic punch bind machine has been chosen by John F. Turner Co. for production of calendars. The installation was performed by Pigna America. connecticut HARTFORD—Lebon Press has announced its expansion of services with the installation a six color, 40˝ Heidelberg Speedmaster press complete with perfecting and

by Dennis E. Mason The just-finished Drupa 2004 in Germany was unquestionably the most comprehensive graphic arts trade show in the world. Nowhere else but every four years in Düsseldorf can one see the breadth and depth of equipment, supplies, software and processes on display for two weeks. Although Drupas are dominated by the likes of Heidelberg, MAN Roland and KBA, with their particularly press-centric focus, it also provides a forum for companies that are far less well known, and for firms that only wish to be known. And while many journey to Drupa to see the latest in presses, or a complete

By Erik Cagle Senior Editor What makes Jeff Gordon such a great driver on NASCAR's top stock car driving circuit? Sure, when he drives into Victory Lane, Gordon is deemed the race's fastest driver. But speed alone is hardly the reason Gordon gets to spray his pit crew with champagne. It is a confluence of variables that enable him to emerge victorious, namely the makeup of his car. Luck and patience play a role, as does tactical positioning on the track, but even the slightest flaw in the No. 24 car's mechanical composition can mean the difference between success and a short day at the track. Similarly,

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—While attending Drupa 2004, Quad/Graphics committed to purchasing a total of 10 64-page web presses from exhibiting press manufacturers Heidelberg and MAN Roland. Specifically on order, at an aggregate value of $150 million, are eight Heidelberg 3000/32 double-web presses and two MAN Roland Lithoman double-web presses. Both models boast a 64-page format, making them particularly well suited for high-speed, high-quality magazine and catalog production. "Efficiency and flexibility are mission critical to meeting our clients' needs," says Thomas Quadracci, Quad/Graphics president and CEO. "We're confident that the 64-page presses' ability to double output, while reducing makereadies, will meet our productivity requirements going forward and further

By Erik Cagle Senior Editor In America's heartland, where people traditionally possess conservative values, a solid work ethic is everything in business, particularly in the manufacturing sector. This is especially true at Kingery Printing, the pride of Effingham, IL, where ethics, strong values and pride in craftsmanship reign supreme. "I was talking to another printer who's located in Chicago one time," begins John Kingery, president and founder of the southern Illinois-based sheetfed and web printing company. "I was complaining that about three out of four people hired turn out to be good employees. His response was, 'You're lucky; here in Chicago, there's only one

BY ERIK CAGLE Senior Editor Pity the poor saddle stitcher. It gets no love, no recognition for a job well done. Bindery operators want the stitcher to take care of business, and they certainly don't want to intervene in its appointed rounds. When it comes to their stitchers, notes Darcy Maeda, public relations coordinator for Duplo USA, printers seek the ultimate in automation, in every aspect of the design. "They want the machine's stitcher heads, back jogger, side guides, stitch stopper, fold stopper, size adjustments, fold roller gap and conveyance roller position to adjust automatically," she says. "Automation of this degree