Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging U.S.A.

Commercial Printing Industry News Briefs from Printing Impressions’ March 2014 edition, including Quad/Graphics, Transcontinental, Konica and MGI, Calabrese Printing, Abbott's Printing

TOKYO—Konica Minolta and Paris-based MGI Digital Graphic Technology (MGI) announced that they have reached an agreement whereby Konica Minolta will acquire a 10 percent stake in MGI, valued at €13.7 million (about US$18.7 million), through a reserved capital increase. MGI will use the investment to drive future growth and is aimed at establishing a stronger presence in the professional digital printing market.

Commercial printer equipment installations and other news from Printing Impressions’ December 2013 edition, featuring Sandy Alexander, Lithographix, DPI Direct, Apex Color, IWCO Direct, Japs-Olson Co.

Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging, Inc. will sell its offset printing plate business, including subsidiary American Lithoplate, Inc., to Southern Lithoplate. The anticipated closing is scheduled for Friday, October 1, 2010. The decision to sell was based on the long-term strategy of Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.

Printing Impressions’ Commercial Printing Supplier News for December, 2008.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Sept 3, 2008—Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging has long been a leading supplier to the graphics arts industry. However the traditional silver-halide Graphic Arts film market is shrinking astonishingly fast due to the surge of worldwide digitization. Graphic Arts film consumption in the U.S. had declined by 85 % from its peak and will continue to decline by double digits in the future. Considering the decline of film consumption, the high cost of silver and the future growth of CTP, Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging has made the decision to phase out the manufacturing of silver based Graphic Arts film and concentrate

Behind the Scenes R&D on New Line of Eco-Friendly Inks CARLSTADT, NJ—At Sun Chemical’s Carlstadt Technical Center, a research and development facility, more than 100 scientists and support staff from around the globe test the analysis, surface characterization, interfacial dynamics and synthesis of new inks. Some new developments at the facility include Earth sheetfed inks, which produce only 2 percent VOCs, and offer sharp lithographic dot fidelity, high-trap efficiency, well-maintained density during press runs and fast color accuracy; and Liberty eco-friendly inks that offer sharp press stability and ultra-fast drying; the WetFlex printing process, which allows converters to print flexible films at high speed

Konica Eyes American Litho GLEN COVE, NY—Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA has signed a letter of intent to acquire American Litho, based in Grand Rapids, MI. American Litho manufactures analog and digital offset printing plates for the newspaper and commercial printing markets. American Litho recently opened a new plate manufacturing facility that tripled the plant capacity. American Litho will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Graphic Imaging USA. Quebecor World Nets Extension MONTREAL—Quebecor World has reached a $900 million deal with Yellow Book USA to produce said publisher's yellow pages directories through the year 2017. It will encompass the printing of more than

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor Printers in growing numbers are having second thoughts about their computer-to-plate (CTP) systems. First-time buyers are still the dominant force in the market today, but the aging installed base is rapidly driving up the percentage of shops looking to invest in a second, or even third, generation of technology. By the end of 2004, the installed base of CTP devices in North America had reached nearly 12,000 units, including metal and non-metal systems, according to a new plate market study recently published by PRIMIR (the Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization). Completed by State Street Consultants in

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor Given all the debate about the technology of coatings in recent years, one might think printing plates are an exception to the rule that it is what's below the surfaces that really matters. One thing almost all of the solutions, even analog plates, have in common, though, is an aluminum base. Polyester plates are the exception, of course. This commonality in printing plates hit home earlier this year when vendors notified customers of price increases due to the rising cost of raw materials. Aluminum prices reportedly have risen some 40 percent over the past two years, and higher