2003-01-01

ACROSS the nation

ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM—Community Newspaper Holdings has purchased a 14-unit double-around press from Dauphin Graphic Machines. The six DGM 850 units and two DGM 860 towers will be used to print The Sharon Herald and The New Castle News, both in Pennsylvania. MONTGOMERY—Davis Printing has implemented Printcafe's PSI print management system. california NAPA—Label printer Jonergin Pacific completed a full conversion to CRC Information Systems' THE System accounting package in just one week. OXNARD—Ventura Printing is now producing pocket folders, CD wallets, packaging and boxes using a new Kluge UniFold folding and gluing system. The employee-owned company has been in business for 56 years. SAN

Americans Trek to H+H Open House

BIELEFELD, GERMANY—For any printer, trade binder or mailing house interested in specialized finishing equipment, ranging from sophisticated in-line mailing machinery and miniature folders on up to 62x75˝ map folders, this quaint German town located 60 miles southwest of Hannover was the center of the graphic arts universe recently. More than 1,000 visitors from around the world, including a U.S group organized by MBO America, attended a four-day open house at the headquarters of Herzog + Heymann (H+H), arguably the world leader in mailing and specialized folding equipment. Four separate halls were set up for demonstrations featuring 21 H+H and MBO machines, as well as

Burton Leaves Moore Corp.

MISSISSAUGA, ON—Robert G. Burton has stepped down as Moore Corp. chairman, president and CEO. When Burton joined the company in 2000, Moore was in financial disarray. He is widely credited with rejuvenating the ailing company. Burton will remain a senior advisor to the company. Meanwhile, Mark Angelson has been tapped to be the new CEO. Previously, he served as the company's non-executive chairman and lead independent director. Angelson was deputy chairman of Big Flower Press Holdings, now known as Vertis. Alfred Eckert III has been named to the position of chairman of the board. Eckert, chairman and CEO of GSC Partners, has been

Casey Printing Acquires Santa Cruz Printery

KING CITY, CA—Casey Printing has purchased The Santa Cruz Printery, Santa Cruz, CA. Casey, a publications printer serving the West Coast market, purchased the firm to fortify its capabilities in the high quality, corporate collateral printing sector. "The Santa Cruz Printery has an outstanding reputation for high quality and excellent customer service," explains Richard Casey, co-owner of the firm. "Its 25-year tradition of providing top-notch work throughout the Monterey Bay and Silicon Valley areas matches well with our own history of more than a century of graphics excellence. All employees have remained in place and our plan is just to continue to build on the

Changing of the Guard Reflects World Change

The best thing about 2002 is that it's over. A stagnant economy, massive worker layoffs, corporate accounting scandals, fear over chemical and biological warfare—enough to make a newborn want to crawl back into the womb. No one's rushing to pop the bubbly; the toast is "Here's to a better 2003," not "Happy days are here again." And, like the world around us, the printing industry is suffering through depressed sales and earnings, plant closings and staff reductions, cutbacks in capital expenditure plans, as well as personnel changes in the board rooms at North America's largest companies. As 2002 drew to a close,

Changing of the Guard Reflects World Change --Michelson

DIGITAL bytes

WESTMONT, IL—After successfully demonstrating the productivity of an open architecture, JDF-based workflow at Graph Expo, Printcafe Software and MAN Roland are planning to take it into the field. The first beta testing with printers is scheduled for the beginning of this year. The interface shown at Graph Expo was a bi-directional link, providing a two-way conduit for data flow. JDF files from the Printcafe system were transferred to a Roland 500 press, supplying job parameters and presetting color. At the same time, the press' PECOM system reported on its progress to Printcafe, via JMF (Job Messaging Format) files. (www.manroland.com/www.printcafe.com) BEDFORD, MA—Creo

DIGITAL digest

Computer-to-Plate Has Positive Effect NEW YORK CITY—TrendWatch Graphic Arts has released its first report focused exclusively on direct-to-plate technologies. According to the market report, the once doubtful commercial printer community has overwhelmingly begun to embrace and benefit from the now decade-old technology. Among the survey findings cited as supporting this conclusion are: * 39 percent of all print businesses perceive direct-to-plate as having a positive effect in their operations. * 55 percent of sheetfed offset press shops perceive direct-to-plate as having a positive impact on their business. * An additional 17 percent of sheetfed press shops plan to start using digital plates, while

Does Productivity Influence Profit? --Dickeson

Increased productivity doesn't translate directly to increased profits. "The main cause is a profound misunderstanding of the relationship between productivity and profits. Everyone from Alan Greenspan and Wall Street economists to corporate chieftains and financial journalists made the assumption that higher productivity and new technology would inevitably translate into higher profits." (From the cover story of Business Week, November 4, 2002, pg. 108, "The Painful Truth About Profits." ) Perhaps, in the long run, increased productivity converts to increased profits. But wasn't it Lord Keynes who said, "In the long run we shall all be dead?" It's a cold comfort to realize that it's

ITEMS of interest

Americans Trek to H+H Open House BIELEFELD, GERMANY—For any printer, trade binder or mailing house interested in specialized finishing equipment, ranging from sophisticated in-line mailing machinery and miniature folders on up to 62x75˝ map folders, this quaint German town located 60 miles southwest of Hannover was the center of the graphic arts universe recently. More than 1,000 visitors from around the world, including a U.S group organized by MBO America, attended a four-day open house at the headquarters of Herzog + Heymann (H+H), arguably the world leader in mailing and specialized folding equipment. Four separate halls were set up for demonstrations featuring 21 H+H

JohnsByrne Implements CIM Workflow

NILES, IL—The JohnsByrne Co. reportedly has become the first printer to successfully implement computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), thanks to the implementation work done by Creo, Printcafe and Komori America. "Our vision has always been to be a turnkey business, handling every aspect of the printing process, taking a job from prepress through to fulfillment," says Corey Gustafson, president of JohnsByrne, which reports annual sales in excess of $20 million. JohnsByrne's fully integrated system now ties estimating, scheduling, the creative desktop, digital halftone proofing, computer-to-plate imaging, prepress production data, press and finishing processes to its Printcafe management information system in a single, streamlined workflow. "When we

Mañana Man Has Axe to Grind —DeWese

This is a column about showin' up. Woody Allen said it when he wrote, "Eighty percent of success is showing up." This column is about the importance of just showin' up. I have mostly shown up for all of my 60 years and, with my many limitations, showin' up has saved my butt. Those of you who have seen me know that I have always shown up for supper. Lots of printing salespeople don't ever really succeed because they don't show up.

New Ownership at Authentic Press

ARLINGTON, TX—Authentic Press, a waterless printing company based here, changed hands recently. Chris Groff, the owner of Complete Technology Concepts (CTC), a Fort Worth, TX, telephony, networking and cabling company, has purchased Authentic Press. In addition to the new ownership, Groff has made several changes to the company's equipment, employees and location. He has purchased a new 40˝ Komori waterless press, which is scheduled to arrive in March. In addition to the purchase of the new press, he has added two new employees. Brett Hartman has been named vice president. Hartman was formerly a senior account executive with Padgett Printing in Dallas. Betty Augeri has joined

New Year Brings Change to Ranks at Quebecor

MONTREAL—There has been a management shakeup at Quebecor World, North America's largest printer. Quebecor World CEO and President Charles Cavell has announced that he plans to retire by April of 2003. In addition, Christian Paupe, CFO, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, has informed the company's board of directors that he is quitting in order to explore other opportunities. The decision of these top executives to leave Quebecor World follows the recent changes made by the company to its operating structure in 2002. On September 25, Quebecor World announced the implementation of a new operating structure and senior leadership appointments. John Paloian and David Boles were

OMB Printing Proposal Is Controversial

WASHINGTON, DC—The Bush Administration's proposal to open up the printing needs of the executive branch to competitive bidding is garnering both praise and criticism. Outgoing Public Printer Michael DiMario claims, in a letter to the Joint Committee on Printing, that the changes would hurt small printers who depend on Government Printing Office (GPO) work. In contrast, Ben Cooper, Printing Industries of America's executive vice president for public policy, believes that the proposal would open up new contract avenues for all printers. Currently, the GPO outsources approximately 75 percent of all of its work through its Printing Procurement Program, which is made up of more

PDF Generators Weigh In --McIlroy

In my last column I discussed some of the results from the Seybold organization's in-depth report on the state of PDF: "PDF Workflow Shootout & Usage Survey" ($450 from Seybold Publications). The 84-page report looks at two sides of the PDF problem: what do publishers (PDF generators) want, and what do printers (PDF processors) want? Like most reports, particularly those that are styled as "shootouts," the report suffers from some questionable methodology, and inconclusive results. At the same time, this is the only comprehensive survey yet conducted on PDF utilization in the graphic arts. PDF workflows are the most important technology development in the

Postal Rates Could Stabilize

WASHINGTON, DC—A future postage rate increase could be delayed until at least 2006 thanks to a review of the United States Postal Service (USPS) employees' retirement plan, says Post Master General John E. Potter. This revelation comes after a review of the USPS' pension liabilities by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The review found that the current formula contained overly conservative interest assumptions under which the USPS contributes for its employees' retirement, creating an overpayment of pension liabilities. Changes in the payment schedule will require a modification of the current law by Congress. This necessary change in the law would mean a reduction of postal

PRINTER news

Howard Fenton has joined the staff of the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), Paramus, NJ, as a senior consultant of digital technologies. Previously, Fenton served for six years as the senior consultant of digital technology for the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation. The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) has granted $275,000 in scholarships to a total of 202 students pursuing careers in the graphic communications industry. PGSF awarded 99 of the scholarships to women and 103 to men. Also, Brown Printing, Waseca, MN, recently pledged $50,000 to establish the Wayne "Bumps" Brown Honorary Scholarship. After the fund matures, the scholarship will be awarded

Q&A Tom Quadracci -- Rising to Challenges

From Quad/Graphics’ perspective, 2002 will be remembered as the most difficult in the company’s 31-year history. In July alone, a storage facility collapse and fire at its Lomira, WI, plant claimed the life of a contracted worker and, weeks later, company founder Harry V. Quadracci died after drowning in a lake near his home. Such tragedies would bring lesser companies to their knees. But Quad/Graphics has demonstrated an industry model, a corporate ideology, that bears both witnessing and emulating. Thomas Quadracci is surrounded by employee children at one of Quad/Graphics’ in-house day care centers. Tom Quadracci, who succeeded his brother as president and

Q1 Paper Outlook — Market Taking Stock

BY MARK SMITH Predictions of the paperless office may have lost their edge, but not the threat of a paperless printing plant. One only has to go as far back as 1995 to find the last time some printers were faced with shutting down their presses for a lack of paper to run through them. The buyer's market of recent times saw printers, and their clients, being doubly blessed with a ready supply of paper at historically low prices. Everyone knew it was just a matter of time before the market swing came, though. In the case of paper, the more apropos saying would

Saddle Stitching Machines — Newest Offerings

New technology abounds in today's saddle stitchers, making them faster and easier to use. Here is a look at what manufacturers are now offering: The Heidelberg USA Stitchmaster ST 400 is designed to ensure maximum production flexibility. The ST 400 offers an output of up to 14,000 cph and is able to handle up to an A3-oversize format. Features include a color display with a touchscreen and touch-sensitive keyboard, missing stitch detection and automatic format presetting. Efficient controls allow for reliable product and quality monitoring. Circle No. 411 on Reader Service Card The Standard Horizon StitchLiner, from Standard Finishing, consists of the SpeedVAC collator,

Saddle Stitching Machines — Saddling the Right Machine

By Caroline Miller When it comes to saddle stitching, every printer or trade finisher has a different set of needs. Some are looking for increased speed; for others, it is ease of operation or fast make-ready capabilities. And there are those in need of a stitcher that can integrate easily into a larger in-line system. Vendors of production saddle stitchers are responding to all of those needs thanks to a new generation of technology. "We've just seen a quantum leap in technology," says Chris Azbill, vice president at United Litho, a short-run publication printer that recently installed a Muller Martini Tempo saddle stitcher. When

Small- and Medium-format Sheetfed Presses -- Automated Workhors

By Erik Cagle Here's a look at the latest manufacturer offerings for small- and medium-size sheetfed offset presses in up to 23 x 29˝ formats: The A.B.Dick 4995A-ICS with ink control system offers the benefits of a four-tower portrait press for printers looking to step up to four-color process work. Digitally compatible with CTP systems (such as A.B.Dick's DPM line), this automated press with a maximum sheet size of 13.4 x 17.75˝ increases short- and long-run productivity, provides consistent and repeatable quality and accommodates polyester or metal plates. Features include the ink control system, which delivers consistent ink balance while reducing labor setup

SUPPLIER news

NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies elected three new directors at its annual meeting in October. The new directors, elected to three-year terms expiring at the 2005 annual meeting, are: H.A. Brandtjen III, president, Brandtjen & Kluge, St. Croix Falls, WI; John Hamm, vice president of marketing, Xerox Corp., Worldwide Graphic Arts Business, McLean, VA; and Juergen Stolt, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Pantone Inc., Carlstadt, NJ. In addition, Edward McLoughlin, president of Oxy-Dry Corp., and Prime UV Systems received the 2002 Harold W. Gegenheimer Awards for Industry Service at the NPES conference. Enovation Graphic Systems has named Paul

Two-up Metal Platesetters -- The CTP Periphery

BY MARK SMITH Printing is one of the few places where eight is a magic number. Even the once standard eight-hour day for many has become an artifact of a simpler time. Eight-page production, however, continues to be the standard of comparison for most facets of the printing process. For a time it seemed to be the de facto size for computer-to-plate (CTP) solutions. Eight may indeed be enough, but it also can be too little or too much. Two-up platesetters actually helped pioneer the direct-to workflow and technology, albeit using paper and polyester plates. Small-format metal systems have been a more recent

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