R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company and Muller Martini today announced an exclusive agreement to develop the first fully integrated digital ink jet press and inline binding system capable of delivering books at printing speeds of 800 feet per minute.
MONTREAL—Mark Angelson, whose illustrious executive career has carried him from leading posts at Big Flower (Vertis) and Moore Corp. to RR Donnelley, and boasts one of the leading M&A portfolios in the history of the printing industry, now finds himself in perhaps the biggest challenge of his career.
Under the proposed arrangement, RR Donnelley's Research and Development Center is expected to collaborate with the Inkjet High-speed Production Solutions unit of HP to develop new digital printing technologies. Products are planned to be sold under the HP brand.
R.R. Donnelley has taken a minority stake in the Helium writing community and social publishing platform. Helium provides cost-effective, premium local and lifestyle editorial content.
R.R. Donnelley has been awarded a multi-year contract worth several hundred million dollars by British Telecom for the provision of transactional communication services.
CHICAGO—The second quarter wasn't kind to RR Donnelley as it reported earnings of $25.2 million on net sales of $2.4 billion, compared to earnings of $145.1 million on net sales of $2.9 billion for the same period last year. The Q2 earnings included $48.2 million in pre-tax charges for restructuring and impairment.
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. reported second-quarter net earnings from continuing operations of $25.2 million on net sales of $2.4 billion compared to $145.1 million or on net sales of $2.9 billion in the second quarter of 2008.
RR Donnelley & Sons Co. will close its commercial printing plant at 2600 N. Main St. in Spanish Fork by Sept. 1, and lay off about 120 workers as the ongoing recession takes a toll on its book manufacturing orders.
PHILADELPHIA—A merger might not have worked out for Quebecor World and RR Donnelley, but that apparently hasn't stopped two of the biggest press manufacturers from discussing the possibility of joining forces. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen and manroland AG are reportedly in merger talks, according to Bloomberg News.
Bloomberg, quoting financial newsletter Platow Brief, said that German insurer Allianz SE—which holds a 12 percent share in Heidelberg and a 65 percent stake in manroland—is pressuring the companies to merge and protect its investments. Platow did not cite a source for the information, according to Bloomberg.
Mattias Hartung, who serves corporate communications for Heidelberg, told Bloomberg, "These are market rumors and we don't comment on market rumors."
A spokesman for manroland did not respond to a Printing Impressions request for comment.
CHICAGO—The proposed acquisition of North America's second-largest printer by the biggest of them all would create a giant of unparalleled proportions. The question is, would such a deal be a violation of this nation's antitrust laws? In a sense, would it also be the best thing to happen to the printing industry in years?
