Adobe to restructure and cut 600 jobs

News Editor — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:12:46 -0500

Last month, Adobe Systems CEO Shantanu Narayen, pointing to the ongoing global economic crisis, revealed that the company will lower its operating costs and re-align its strategic focus. Demand for its new Creative Suite 4 line was especially weak in the final quarter of 2008. According to the company (and to be realistic and remain competitive), its first-quarter maximum revenue target was set at $850 million, down substantially from $890 million during the same period in 2008. Adobe’s new restructuring plan includes elimination of 600 full-time jobs worldwide.

Peter Wilkens is Regional President of Agfa Graphics

News Editor — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:11:31 -0500

Agfa Graphics has announced that Peter Wilkens, Agfa’s current V. P. of Sales & Marketing, has been appointed Regional President of North American Business. Wilkens joined Agfa in 2005 after holding senior management roles within the graphics communications industry including ECRM Imaging Systems, where he served as V.P. of Worldwide Sales and Marketing. Wilkens brings a high level of expertise in graphic communication sales, marketing, customer support and technical solutions.

“Agfa is a solid company committed to technological innovation with experienced management, sales teams and an award-winning portfolio of prepress CtP systems, digital software solutions and UV inkjet products,” said Wilkens. “Many of our products help printers increase productivity and efficiency which is critical during the current economic climate. In addition, our industry leading :Azura chemistry-free and :Amigo low-chem products are helping printers become more Earth-friendly. We are committed to the continued growth of our business and responding quickly to customers' needs.” said Wilkens. The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world’s leading imaging and information technology companies.

Jacobson gets double-duty at Presstek Inc.

News Editor — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:08:28 -0500

Presstek’s current CEO and President, Jeff Jacobson, has now assumed the additional role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. He replaces John Dreyer, who has is now the Board’s Lead Director. “Jeff has done a great job in continuing to lead the turnaround of Presstek,” sais Dreyer. His election as Chairman is a reflection of the Board’s confidence in his leadership and its confidence in the future of the company.”

“John Dreyer has played an important leadership role during a critical period in Presstek’s history,” said Jacobson. “His industry knowledge and experience has been invaluable to the company, and I look forward to John’s continuing role on Presstek’s Board as Lead Director.”

James Tovell appointed GM of Coast paper Ontario

News Editor — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:12:46 -0500

Coast Paper, a division of PaperlinX Canada Limited, has appointed James Tovell as General Manager of the Toronto location. Tovell, a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, has been with Coast Paper for 15 years holding various positions including, most ecently, Director of Sales. Coast Paper specializes in the sales, marketing and distribution of fine paper and graphic systems solutions, including graphic arts supplies, software and equipment, as well as industrial products.

Drytac introduces the VersaCoater DocuMate to its line of UV coaters

News Editor — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:11:27 -0500

Drytac, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of mounting, laminating, framing and finishing materials and equipment, has a new addition to its line of UV curable liquid coaters – the VersaCoaterTM DocuMate. With a 2’ x 2’ (60 sq. cm.) footprint, the DocuMate is one of the smallest UV coaters on the market today, making it ideal for smaller print shops where space is at a premium. Capable of coating printed documents and photos up to 12” (304 mm) wide, the DocuMate is compatible with photographic, litho and digitally printed output. Its design features a removable supply canister and an enclosed, self-cleaning paper path to help ensure ease of use, even for inexperienced operators.

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. introduces EFI fiery Controller

News Editor — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:06:51 -0500

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS) has released the EFI GA1211 Fiery controller designed exclusively for the e-STUDIO4520c series of color multifunction products (MFPs). Advanced color management features, as well as improved print speeds, boost color production capabilities of the award-winning e-BRIDGE MFP series.

“The Fiery-driven e-STUDIO4520c is a flexible and affordable solution for Toshiba customers that produces short-run digital color printing and requires fast, exceptional color quality,” said Joe Contreras, Director, Product and Solutions Marketing, TABS. “By enhancing its design capabilities and increasing its productivity and efficiency, Toshiba aims to help customers compete more effectively and improve profitability in today’s uncertain marketplace.”

2009 NEHS Conference Focuses on Helping Printers Find Sustainable Solutions

News Editor — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:05:41 -0500

The 2009 National Environmental, Health and Safety (NEHS) Conference will tackle one of the most significant issues that has the printing industry abuzz: Becoming a Sustainable Green Printer (SGP Printer). Printing Industries of America is co-sponsoring the conference March 16-18, 2009 at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre in Indianapolis, Ind. This is the only conference that addresses sustainability, environmental, health, safety and HR issues for the printing industry across all platforms.

Manroland Canada Inc. ushers in expanded services

News Editor — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:03:16 -0500

Manroland Canada has successfully introduced new industry-focused, integrated and flexible logistics solutions for its customers. With 24/7 attention, the expanded service is specifically designed to address the unique and diverse needs of printers using manroland printing presses, as well as MBO and Dick Moll related products.

Melan installs Xeikon technology to expand its digital printing capabilities

News Editor — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:17:13 -0500

Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, pioneer of the first digital color presses, has announced that Melan, a full service marketing print products provider out of St-Laurent, Quebec, has successfully purchased and installed Xeikon technology. Melan will use it to produce oversized posters, banners and signage for its expanding customer base.

RR Donnelley buys Canadian printing plant

News Editor — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:15:16 -0500

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. has entered into an agreement with RSM Richter Inc., acting as the court-appointed receiver, to purchase substantially all equipment assets of the Grafikom MIL facility in Toronto. Under the terms of the agreement, R.R. Donnelley will also purchase selected printing equipment from Grafikom elsewhere in Canada which will be used to enhance its existing printing platform in Western Canada. The acquisition agreement is subject to court approval and is anticipated soon.

Quebecor World invests in co-mail technology

News Editor — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:12:24 -0500

Quebecor World Inc. is deploying variable trim and unique hybrid co-mail technologies that will increase its extensive co-mail offering and generate greater postal savings for its catalogue and periodical customers. The installation of a variable trim co-mail solution will enable Quebecor World to deliver multiple trim formats inline, offering its customers more opportunities to participate in co-mail pools and reduce their mailing costs. The basis of this technology is a high-speed trimmer that’s able to vary the trim size from book to book and is able to produce superior trim quality even with varying book thickness.

International Paper to cut up to 1,500 jobs

News Editor — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:07:34 -0500

As part of its previously announced initiatives to reduce its cost
structure by $150 to $200 million by the end of 2009, the company
informed its employees that it has committed to a plan to reduce its
global salaried workforce by approximately 1,000 to 1,500, to be
completed by the end of 2009. The reduction in workforce will occur
through retirements, normal attrition and the elimination of certain
salaried positions.

An overview of current wide-format printing equipment

News Editor — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:05:33 -0500

WhatTheyThink, a leading news and information site for the graphic communications industry, announces the immediate availability of Wide-Format Printing: The Competitive Landscape – A WhatTheyThink Printer Purchasing Guide. This 52-page report provides a rundown of the latest wide-format printing models (24” wide or greater) currently on the market.

The report includes:

PIA/GATF gets new name, logo and tagline

News Editor — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:53:11 -0500

The Printing Industries of America, formerly PIA/GATF (Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation), the world’s largest graphic communications association (representing an industry with more than one million employees and serving the interests of more than 10,000 member companies), has a new name, logo and tagline.

The new name and logo reflect over a year’s work that resulted in a strategic communications plan that will serve the industry today and into the future. The goal is to strengthen and streamline messaging to the graphic communications industry – including suppliers, partners, customers and lawmakers – to better reflect the activities within the organization and reinforce the value that the national organization and its local affiliates bring to their members.

RISO makes U.S.A. greener

News Editor — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:42:29 -0500

RISO, Inc., a provider of environmentally-friendly, high-speed color inkjet printers and duplicators, organized with area businesses and organizations recently to plant 1,800 trees over four acres at the Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon, VA. The tree planting initiative was part of a much larger effort to plant trees across the country and in the communities the company serves.

RISO also donated five trees to the City of Pembroke Pines, Florida. “We appreciate the commitment RISO has made to Pembroke Pines,” said Mayor Frank C. Ortis. “Partnerships which improve the environment and community benefit everyone.” The donation and planting of five 14-ft.oak trees in Rose G. Price Park is part of RISO’s national tree planting initiative in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation.