MBO America

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

Xerox Corp. has received the 2003 IEEE Corporate Innovation Recognition award for its work that created the DocuTech product line. The IEEE recognized Xerox "for its DocuTech product line, which unified digital electronics, computing and communications with xerography to create the print-on-demand industry," says Michael Adler, IEEE president. X-Rite Inc. has acquired the assets of Monaco Systems, a Massachusetts-based company that develops and distributes color management software to the graphic arts and photo markets. This $10.6 million asset purchase, funded by a combination of cash and stock, (some of which is subject to certain vesting requirements), includes the entire Monaco line of color management

By Erik Cagle A dozen manufacturers were asked to list the primary differentiators that set apart multiple brands of collating equipment. It may come as no surprise to learn that virtually no one mentioned the price factor. It seems there are numerous attributes that factor into choosing a collator that is the right fit for a particular printer or trade finisher. The depth of choices on the market only underscores the importance of looking past the price tag, as there is a collator for every need. Versatility is a key ingredient for serving the evolving needs of clients, according to Tony Cockerham of Buhrs

WESTAMPTON, NJ—In another positive sign that things are turning around for the better in the graphic arts, a special customer expo conducted here recently by MBO America and Muller Martini attracted more than 250 participants. Held in early June at MBO America's Westampton headquarters, the exposition was attended by key executives and technicians from facilities that operate or plan to run binderies. Their focus was on a variety of finishing solutions that were operated continuously throughout the event. Werner Naegeli, president and CEO of Muller Martini, headed the team representing his company at the event. "It's always great to meet face-to-face with bindery

By Erik Cagle KISS is the word that best describes the modern day movement in regard to the manufacture of paper cutting systems: Keep It Simple and Safe. Safety may be to cutting what flour is to baking—an essential ingredient—but automation considerations cannot be ignored when weighing the purchase of a standalone cutter or complete system. In fact, with manufacturers adhering to U.S. and international safety guidelines, ease-of-use may spell the difference between products A, B and C. "Automating the backgauge movement on a cutter helps improve efficiency, makeready times, consistency and accuracy of the cut," points out Don Dubuque, marketing manager for Standard

WESTAMPTON, NJ—Muller Martini and MBO America recently held a joint bindery customer expo at MBO's headquarters. The event attracted more than 250 participants. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has issued the first international safety standard for printing press systems: ISO 12648:2003 Graphic technology—Safety requirements for printing press systems. The standard was developed by ISO Technical Committee 130 (TC 130) Working Group 5 (Safety and Ergonomics). The committee is administered by NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies with NPES Vice President William K. "Kip" Smythe and Director of Standards Programs Mary Abbott serving as convener and secretary, respectively. Dauphin Graphic Machines

OPPENWEILER, GERMANY—Imagine a manufacturing operation where various MBO folding machines are custom-made to order. Where highly skilled engineers still produce spiral fold rollers by hand—just as they have done since the first MBO machine was built in 1967. And where even the electrical panels for the sophisticated Navigator control system are made in-house. That's just the world a group of U.S. printers and trade binders saw recently during a tour of MBO Binder GmbH & Co.'s manufacturing plant here in this quaint German community located near Stuttgart. MBO also has a large manufacturing facility in Porto, Portugal, used for mass production, whereas equipment assembled in

By Erik Cagle Ralph Johnson doesn't need to consult the Yellow Pages to realize that Lake County Press is up to its eyes in competition around the Chicago area. Thus, the CEO of the Waukegan, IL-based sheetfed printer considers the company's motto, "Whatever it Takes," essential to its success. "The service component is one aspect that makes us unique," notes Johnson. "Obviously the quality has to be there, and we don't take a back seat to anybody in that regard. So the defining characteristic is exceptional service, which has enabled us to do well in a down economy." Lake County Press' executive team

German Trainer Comes to Jersey WESTAMPTON, NJ—Dietmar Block, technical advisor from the Wohlenberg paper cutter factory in Germany, recently held a five-day, in-depth training course here at the headquarters of MBO America to help keep the company's technicians up-to-date on the latest paper cutting techniques. Komori America has consolidated the Komori HRB and Komori Midwest sales territories. Mike VanCalbergh, vice president of sales, Midwest region, now manages the new territory, which covers Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and western Pennsylvania. Dr. Horst Steppat is now responsible for R&D and service at basysPrint in Germany. In his