The Sheridan Group

Publication printers are rising to meet the demands of rapid technological change, competition from the Internet and the changing whims of publishers. Will 2000 carry a darker dawn for this segment? Yes and no. BY MARIE RANOIA ALONSO As 1998 came to a close, the outlook for the publications segment was bright, despite the consolidation of titles that impacted the market's major players. Overall, the minds of the publications market called for continued growth for the segment throughout 1999, with particular emphasis on the hearty performance of the special-interest title. In total, while the projection for the publications market going into 1999 was conservative,

LISLE, IL—Just when the breakneck pace of commercial printing industry acquisitions was slowing, the lull came to a resounding end with yet another spate of new purchases. Perhaps the biggest news was that, after months of regrouping, Wallace Computer Services, based here, returned to its acquisition course, acquiring Commercial Press, reportedly the largest commercial printer in San Diego. Commercial Press has 200 employees and projected sales this year of $26 million. The addition brings Wallace up to 25 commercial printing facilities throughout the United States. Mike Duffield, Wallace's president and COO, says Commercial's "profitability is strong, plus there is additional capacity that can be filled by

LISLE, IL—Just when the breakneck pace of commercial printing industry acquisitions was slowing, the lull came to a resounding end with yet another spate of new purchases. Perhaps the biggest news was that, after months of regrouping, Wallace Computer Services, based here, returned to its acquisition course, acquiring Commercial Press, reportedly the largest commercial printer in San Diego. Commercial Press has 200 employees and projected sales this year of $26 million. The addition brings Wallace up to 25 commercial printing facilities throughout the United States. Mike Duffield, Wallace's president and COO, says Commercial's "profitability is strong, plus there is additional capacity that can be filled by