The Ovid Bell Press

A new mobile app makes yearbook signing even more relevant for today’s students by giving them a way to leave video messages alongside their written signatures. Yearbook Shout is the result of a partnership between Walsworth and stkr.it.

Walsworth Publishing announced today it has acquired The Ovid Bell Press in Fulton, MO. Both companies will continue to operate as they do currently. John Bell will remain as CEO of The Ovid Bell Press. “Our acquisition of Ovid Bell Press will make Walsworth a more successful company—a company that is focused on exceeding the needs of our customers and employees for many years to come,” commented Don O. Walsworth, CEO of Walsworth Publishing.

Walsworth Publishing has acquired The Ovid Bell Press in Fulton, MO. Both companies will continue to operate as they do currently. John Bell will remain as CEO of The Ovid Bell Press.

MARCELINE, MO—Walsworth Publishing, based here, has signed a letter of intent to acquire The Ovid Bell Press (OBP) of Fulton, MO. John Bell, CEO of The Ovid Bell Press, posted a letter to customers on the printer's Facebook page, announcing the deal. Terms of the transaction, which is scheduled to close on Dec. 31, were not revealed.

Earlier this week, John Bell, CEO of The Ovid Bell Press, posted a letter to customers on the printer’s Facebook page announcing that Walsworth Publishing had signed a letter of intent to purchase the company. Executives at Walsworth declined to comment until after the deal is finalized.

“Print is still the cornerstone of the magazine business,” states Dr. Samir Husni, a.k.a. Mr. Magazine. Magazines that banish the print edition generally sign their own death warrant, Dr. Husni notes, and none are thriving as online-only editions.

Elected were Michael Keene of John Roberts Co, chairman of the board; Laura Lawton-Forsyth of Lawton Printing, first vice chairman; Timothy J. Burton of Burton & Mayer Inc., second vice chairman; Jeff Ekstein of Willow Printing Group, secretary; and Hal Slager of Trico Graphics, treasurer.

The 2012 Printing Impressions 400 list of the largest printing companies in the United States and Canada as ranked by annual sales.

West Coast Bindery Folds Faster LOS ANGELES—Hart Bindery, a trade shop serving color houses, ad agencies, and web and sheetfed printers, recently installed a Vijuk–G&K V-14 commercial/miniature folder. Replacing three existing folders, the V-14 is being used to fold small leaflets to accommodate Hart’s pharmaceutical customers. Iowa Printer Seeks Perfection LOGAN, IA—Specializing in school textbooks and workbooks, Perfection Press has upgraded its printing capabilities with the purchase of a four-color Heidelberg Printmaster PM 74 perfector. ARIZONA PHOENIX—A new four-color Heidelberg Printmaster PM 52 is now in operation at direct mail operation United Printing & Mailing. Steve Woods Printing Co., also based in

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2004. Therefore, companies that revised their 2003 revenues may have changed their 2003 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.) 303 ('03: 319) Freeport Press, Freeport, OH Total Sales (Millions): $15.30 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $13.85 Change (%): +10 Principal Officer: David G. Pilcher Employees: 140 Primary Specialties: PUB 40%; DM 20%; ADV 20%; CAT 10% Web Offset Press Units: 24 Sheetfed Press Units: 0 Other Press