MBO America

by chris bauer Managing Editor If you still think of the bindery as a labor-intensive segment of the print shop where manual operations are the norm, then you obviously were not paying close enough attention at Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2004. Exhibitors touting the next generation of finishing equipment proved that bindery gear is now just as automated and digitized as equipment in prepress departments and pressrooms. Muller Martini, for example, showed printers and finishing professionals how to make the most of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) in their binderies and pressrooms. Under the theme "Integration—Solutions from A to Z," the company introduced a

Colter & Peterson and MBO America are now co-distributors of Wohlenberg paper cutters and cutting systems for the U.S. market. Specifically, the cooperative agreement will allow technical experts and sales personnel from both companies to confer with each other on how Wohlenberg cutters can best enhance the efficiency and productivity for printers and trade finishers looking to upgrade their operations. Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Print Media presented the Cary Award to Frank Steenburgh, senior vice president for business growth, Production Systems Group at Xerox Corp. during a breakfast at Graph Expo 2004. The Cary Award is presented annually to those who have

by chris bauer Managing Editor Once overlooked in a printing world that focused heavily on digital technology, bindery equipment, including floor-model folding machines, can now be part of the conversation. Modern machines offer all of the automation that today's users desire. According to Josef Niehueser, product manager for Stahlfolder (distributed by Heidelberg), automation and integration are the features that folding machine users want to incorporate. The bindery is the only production department left that still involves a degree of manual labor, he points out, and printers want to take as much labor out of the finishing process as possible. "Integration is the next

Folder Operators Go Back to School WESTAMPTON, NJ—Twelve folding machine operators representing seven different companies came to MBO America headquarters recently to participate in 2.5 days of in-depth, hands-on training at the MBO Fold School. Trainees were able to observe or operate three different folding machines, including the automated Perfection. Directed by Dave Trutzenbach, an authority on binding operations and equipment, the MBO Folding School provides the opportunity for operators to improve their knowledge and proficiency regardless of their skill level. NAK Marketing & Communications, an agency that has served many of the leading brands in the graphic arts industry for over 14 years,

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,

Ovalstrapping Inc., manufacturer of strapping equipment and strap, announces the retirement of Jack White as president, concluding a 49-year career. David Lamb will assume the presidency. Lamb has been a member of the board of directors of Ovalstrapping for more than 10 years. As a distributor of pressroom automation, IMC America has agreed to represent two suppliers of press delivery equipment. IMC has signed an agreement with RECMI Industrie, manufacturers of fully automatic horizontal stacker/bundlers, rotary trimmers, overhead conveyors and palletizing systems. In addition, IMC will represent semi-automatic stacking systems and robotics designed and built by Penn Graphics. Kolbus America announced it is

WESTAMPTON, NJ—MBO America President and CEO Hans Max and Vice President Hartmut Sohn welcomed 11 Chinese visitors for finishing equipment demonstrations and dialog at the MBO America headquarters here recently. Arranged by US-China Enterprises' New York branch, the guests represented five different printing companies and associations from China. COLUMBUS, GA—Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) has dedicated its printing plate manufacturing facility here as the Edward E. Barr Building. Barr was KPG's first chairman and served on the board of the company until 2003. He retired in 2002 as chairman of Sun Chemical Group, following a 40-year career with the company. Quad/Tech has added two sales

Komori Hosts Screening Seminar ROLLING MEADOWS, IL—Komori America recently hosted an educational seminar on screening technologies at its demonstration facility here. The second in the press manufacturer's series of "Survivor" seminars saw printers from around the U.S. learning about screening applications. Representatives from Creo, Enovation Graphic Systems and Screen (USA) were also on hand to present their screening technologies, Staccato, Co-Res and Spekta, respectively MBO/Muller Martini Co-host Second Open House WESTAMPTON, NJ—Building on the success of its previous joint open house, MBO America and Muller Martini held a second, even larger event recently that also featured running equipment and product information from Creo, hhs

A Strong Finish Optimism was sky-high throughout the exhibit halls during GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO, held in Chicago this past September. Why? A sizeable segment of the vendors noted that there appeared to be more printers and trade finishers touting checkbooks—and fewer tire kickers at McCormick Place. Whether it is the first signs of economic recovery and prosperity in this country remains to be seen, but big crowds on the show floor was certainly a good sign. And it wasn't just the prepress and press vendors that reported brisk activity—those pitching finishing products found the latest GRAPH EXPO to their liking. "We did

WESTAMPTON, NJ—Building on the success of their Spring Customer Expo, MBO America and Muller Martini are planning another customer open house here on November 13-15. Conducted under the theme "All Together Now," the event will include prepress and pressroom innovations to show how they interface with the postpress systems that MBO America and Muller Martini offer. Scheduled to demonstrate their latest developments at the event are Baumann, Bograma, Creo, Ehret, Herzog & Heymann, hhs America, HP Indigo, IBM, Imaje, Palamides, Ryobi, Scitex, Stralfors, Streamfeeder, Theisen & Bonitz and Wohlenberg. "Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) means no system is an island," says Werner Naegeli, president and CEO of