RR Donnelley

It is fascinating to note what market influence the recession has visited on the book market, beyond the tempering of consumer confidence. But even in an atmosphere of printing platform right sizing and other business-related reconciliation, it is difficult to take any view but an optimistic one of the past year and the coming fortunes in 2010.

Amidst the rising cost of postal rates and major cutbacks, publishers and catalogers have been forced to reevaluate their marketing and business strategies. Companies in both sectors looked at cost reduction, how to gain stronger customer loyalty and better ROIs, as well as adopting multi-channel strategies.

The salary excesses in the financial/investment banking world that fueled widespread public outrage, however, won't be found among the earnings of principal officers at the largest publicly held printing companies.

Commercial printing industry news briefs, including items on the industry associations, Xerox, Agfa, Worldcolor, RR Donnelley and more.

CHICAGO—RR Donnelley posted third quarter net earnings of $13.1 million on sales of $2.5 billion compared to earnings of $168.2 million on sales of $2.9 billion for the same period in 2008.

Its net earnings were $13.1 million on net sales of $2.5 billion compared to net earnings of $168.2 million on net sales of $2.9 billion in the third quarter of 2008.

The multiyear agreement includes the production of catalogs, forms and labels and prepress and logistics services. It significantly expands the companies’ long-term relationship and includes production of Fresh Finds, a catalog title focused on kitchen wares and cooking tools, accents and cleaning and organizing solutions for the home.

SPANISH FORK, UT—More than 100 employees of a now-closed RR Donnelley plant here are eligible for federal aid because their jobs were sent to Mexico, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.  The roughly 120 workers can receive Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) since the U.S. Department of Labor certified that their jobs were "adversely impacted by foreign trade," the paper reported. The assistance is in addition to customary state aid. The Spanish Fork location closed permanently on Sept. 1.

In a regulatory filing Friday the company said it is has agreed to end its contractual relationship with a significant customer. R.R. Donnelley did not disclose the name of the customer or provide any details about the contract in the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission

MONTREAL—Worldcolor has appointed Daniel Scapin as president of Logistics and Premedia. Scapin, a 30-year industry veteran, has served as president of logistics at RR Donnelley, Moore Wallace and Quebecor World, and is credited with the creation and growth of the world's largest print logistics businesses.