Heidelberg

KIEL, GERMANY—Dr.-Ing. Rudolf Hell, whose technical innovations and inventions helped pave the way for the fax machine and key telecommunications technologies, celebrated his 100th birthday on December 19, 2001. Dr. Hell has touched more than the graphic arts industry; he has had a considerable influence on modern media tools. Among his many accomplishments: * Joined Prof. Max Dieckmann in presenting the first television transmission and reception station at the Trade Exposition in Munich, Germany, in 1927. * Received a doctoral degree for a dissertation describing a "directly indicating radio position-finding device," a precursor of today's autopilots. * Invented the Hell writing telegraph system in

BY CAROLINE MILLER In the world of saddle stitchers and bookletmakers, machinery is king. "The emphasis is on the equipment," reports Ron Bowman, vice president of sales and marketing for Rosback. Ease-of-use, automation, reliability, flexibility, versatility and productivity are just a few of the advances touted by saddle stitcher and bookletmaker manufacturers these days. Many of these innovations have come as a result of the growing industry trend of putting relatively unskilled employees in the bindery, while still demanding that the products they produce be as perfect as possible, reveals Bowman. Rosback offers the Setmaster Stitch/Fold and Trim bookletmaker, an in-line or off-line unit

BY ERIK CAGLE Shingo Ohkado has an appreciation for baseball, and is an admirer of transplanted Japanese superstar Ichiro Suzuki, the 2001 Most Valuable Player and right fielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ohkado—president and CEO for Toppan Printing America of Somerset, NJ, a branch of the Tokyo-based worldwide printing king—sees an analogy between the sport and doing business in an economy that has seen better days in both America and his Japanese homeland. Revenues, like a player's batting average, are impacted by a number of variables. While Ichiro hit .350 to lead all of baseball, he was still prone to periodic slumps. Good

Goss Withdraws AppealWESTMONT, IL—The Department of Commerce has determined that MAN Roland followed fair trade practices in the pricing of its newspaper presses. These preliminary findings come in light of a review of MAN Roland's sales to U.S. newspapers in 1999 and 2000. The U.S. Court of International Trade agreed to dismiss an appeal by Goss Graphic Systems, which had challenged the DOC's findings regarding a review of the 1998-1999 period. Goss had charged MAN Roland and several other worldwide manufacturers, including Koenig & Bauer and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with price dumping. Crowson Stone Acquires KohnCOLUMBIA, SC—Crowson Stone Printing has reached an agreement to purchase

Blue Ridge Paper Products has relocated its corporate headquarters. The new address is 41 Main St., P.O. Box 1429, Canton, NC 28716. The new phone number is (828) 454-0676. QTI became the first web auxiliary equipment provider to sell a closed-loop color control system in the Latin American market. At PRINT 01, Rotomagno SA de CV, of Guadalajara, Mexico, purchased QTI's Color Control System with Instrument Flight for its new four-unit Mitsubishi Diamond 16 web press. Newly formed distributor Enovation Graphic Systems has named Steve Gryder regional vice president, Central. Jim Purcell has accepted the position of regional vice president, Midwest. John Solwold was appointed regional

Two Industry Veterans to Be Honored MIAMI BEACH, FL—At the upcoming 19th annual Graphic Arts Leaders of the Americas (GALA) awards banquet and reception, to be held here during Graphics of the Americas 2002, two industry leaders will be honored for their lifetime industry achievements and their significant contributions to the graphic arts. Hans Peetz-Larsen, CEO of Heidelberg Americas, and José Zamora Contreras, CEO of PROCOEL S.A., have been named GALA North and Latin American award recipients (respectively) for 2002 by the Printing Association of Florida (PAF). GALA Award recipients are chosen for their leadership in areas of management, technology, business and quality, as

ARKANSAS FAYETTEVILLE—The University of Arkansas Printing Services made a number of new additions to its in-plant facility, including Binuscan's Color Pro color correction software, a CreoScitex EverSmart Pro II flatbed scanner, a CreoScitex Brisque 4 RIP, a Dolev 800 filmsetter, a five-color Komori perfector, a Saber cutter from Colter & Peterson and a 40˝ MBO folder. CALIFORNIA SANTA ANA—Westlam, a supplier of trade laminating and UV coating services, has installed a new Autofeeds laminator as part of its plant modernization program. CONNECTICUT NORTH HAVEN—The William J. Mack Co. has ceased operations after being in business for more than 38 years. Bill Mack has joined

BY ERIK CAGLE Don't be fooled. When it comes to the overall health of the direct mail marketing segment, many of the big hitters within the commercial printing sector are well positioned, entrenched even, for the economic storm that has struck the country. Top 10 -- Direct Mail Printers   Company SegmentSales(millions) TotalSales (millions) 1 Quebecor WorldMontreal $845 $6,500 2 Vertis Inc.Baltimore $397 $1,986 3 Banta Corp.Menasha, WI $231 $1,538 4 R.R. Donnelley & SonsChicago $210 $5,254 5 Wallace Computer ServicesLisle, IL $186 $1,692 6 Moore Corp.Stamford, CT $158 $2,260 7 Japs-Olson Co.St. Louis Park, MN $102 $128 8 The Instant Web Cos.Chanhassen,

CHICAGO—The management team and employees at Broadview, IL-based Lehigh Direct are swimming with activity as of late. So, to celebrate its new capabilities, the printer hosted an elegant party at the Shedd Aquarium on October 29, which was attended by nearly 500 customers, prospective clients and supplier partners of both the direct marketing company and publishing components division. Co-hosted by Heidelberg Web Systems, the event was held during the annual DMA convention. With the understandably somber mood following the post-September 11 terrorist attacks, it was also refreshing to see Lehigh's exuberance over its position and commitment to the marketplace. Lehigh's excitement centers around its new six-color,

We are the best at what we do, and we want everyone to know it. Go ahead, say it a few times. Feels good, doesn't it? Isn't that the image you want your customers to have about your company? You want clients to feel that you are the best option for their printing needs—you have the newest, most advanced equipment, the know-how and the dedication to provide a quality product.