Sandy Alexander

By Mark Michelson Editor-in-Chief The rain may have made it a bit more difficult for visitors to maneuver between the 17 halls during the first week of the 14-day Drupa 2004 trade exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, last month, but that surely didn't dampen the spirits of the reported 394,000-plus attendees. Nor did it keep the 1,862 equipment, software and consumables exhibitors representing 52 nations from showcasing their latest R&D and product development efforts. And while there may not have been any one "blockbuster" piece of equipment or technology that everyone at the show was buzzing about, there surely was an assortment of new product

Growth Seen in Color Digital Printing Output NEW YORK CITY—Acceptance and use of any new technology is usually a direct function of a decline in cost and an increase in quality or functionality. Digital color printing is following this pattern. According to a new report released recently by TrendWatch Graphic Arts (TWGA), prices for digital presses and related consumables costs have declined significantly. This, in conjunction with technological advancements that have enhanced output quality, has led to a steady increase in investment in digital color equipment, which reportedly is up five percentage points in the last 12 months. In addition, demand for digital

"On a $1,000-per-hour web press, it's almost unimaginable how expensive it is to not match color on the press," says Michael Graff, senior executive vice president at Sandy Alexander Printing in Clifton, NJ. These days, however, plate remakes due to color issues are down to 20 percent of what they were before, Graff reports. "We've had a perceptible improvement in time of matching proofs, and our makeready time is down considerably." Repeated rounds of color proofing used to be very costly for Que-Net Media, as well, reveals Brian Gaughen, color quality manager of the Quebecor World subsidiary in Los Angeles. But, recently,

ALEXANDRIA, VA—The Print Council, a business development alliance dedicated to promoting the greater use of print media, has elected a five-member board of directors. The new leaders include: * Niels Winther, president and CEO, Heidelberg USA; * Paul Reilly, chairman, president and CEO, Mail-Well; * Yves Rogivue, CEO, MAN Roland; * Roy Grossman, president and CEO, Sandy Alexander; and * J. Kenneth Garner, president, United Litho. The first order of business for the board, reports Grossman, is to find a chairman or CEO to help get The Print Council off the ground, with the board serving in an advisory role. Much of the structure

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2003. Therefore, companies that revised their 2002 revenues may have changed their 2002 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 51 ('02: 53) Miami Systems, Cincinnati, OH Total Sales (Millions): $129.00 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $138.00 Change (%): -7 Principal Officer: Samuel L. Peters Employees: 1,200 Primary Specialties: BF 30%; PKG 20%; DM 15%; SPEC 15% (Pre-paid telephone cards; plastic credit cards) Web Offset Press Units:

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor Just when it seemed safe to go back online, the specter of short-sighted Internet business models has risen to threaten print margins. It's the players, more so than the concept, that is new. Reverse auctions are now being touted by accounting firms and business consultants as a means for Corporate America to dramatically cut the cost of print work.

News Fit for Printing Extra! Extra! Read all about it. The graphic arts industry is launching a new campaign to promote the use of print as a replacement for, and complement to, other media. I know, grizzled industry veterans might point out, other efforts have been tried in the past—typically losing steam over time. But this effort has some of the biggest industry guns behind it as founding members, including vendors such as Agfa, EFI, Heidelberg, IBM, MAN Roland, Scitex Digital and Xerox, as well as prominent printers like Mail-Well, RR Donnelley, Quad/Graphics, Sandy Alexander and Franchise Services (the parent company of PIP

Quebecor First in USPS Program MONTREAL—Quebecor World's Trenton, NJ, Mailing Center has been authorized by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to participate in the new Periodical Co-palletization Program. Quebecor World reportedly is the first company to be granted authorization by the USPS for this new program. Participation in the program results in additional postage discounts for mail pieces that migrate from sack to pallet containers. Presently, Quebecor World's Trenton Mailing Center co-mails more than 80 publications and supplemental mailings. Anderson Litho Names President LOS ANGELES—Anderson Lithograph has appointed Mark Tennant to the position of president and general manager. Tennant, a 28-year veteran with Anderson Lithograph, has a

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2002. Therefore, companies that revised their 2001 revenues may have changed their 2001 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 51 ('01: 58) MacNaughton Lithograph/Command Web Offset, Secaucus, NJ Total Sales (millions): $140.00 Previous Year's (millions): $140.00 Change (%): — Principal Officer: Andrew Merson Employees: 625 Primary Specialties: BKS 40%; DIR 25%; CAT 15%; FIN 10% Web Offset Units: 44 Sheetfed Offset Units: 6 Other: 0

Grossman New Alexander CEO CLIFTON, NJ—Roy Grossman, president of Sandy Alexander, has been promoted to CEO, effective January 1, 2003, the company announced. Grossman will replace Frank Stillo, who will remain as chairman of the board. Grossman, who also serves on the board of directors, was named president in 1995. He joined the company in 1991 as a managing director. Sandy Alexander also announced that it has attained ISO 14001 registration, in addition to its previously attained ISO 9002 certification. Forest City Signs Press Pact LONDON, ON—Forest City Graphics has ordered five KBA sheetfed offset presses: a six-color, 64˝ Rapida 162 with coater; a six-color, 56˝ Rapida