Print Week articles from March 2004

Print Week archives from March 2004

Sales growth bid for Gilchrist.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Leeds and London-based repro company Gilchrist is aiming for growth under new managing director Paul Bean. Bean, who was previously operations director of the company, replaced Stephen Bloomfield after his departure from the firm. His plans...

Communisis kicks off Europe review.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... A reliance on print management to drive sales has been reflected in Communisis' year-end results for 2003. In the year to 31 December 2003, group turnover increased 15% to pounds 300.7m, but pre-tax profits fell by just over a third to...

TPL chief set to address plant.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... TPL Printers in Kidderminster is believed to be in the process of reviewing its production, with an intense level of industry speculation regarding the plant's future. The magazine printer is to make an announcement to its 200 staff this...

Future unclear at York & Ford.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The trading situation of paper merchant York & Ford remains unclear. A spokeswoman for the company said it was 'not in receivership, liquidation or administration,' but was working through a difficult situation. The company was to...

Purnell future in the balance.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Around 600 jobs at Polestar's loss making Purnell gravure plant are at risk unless on-going talks between the print group's management and the GPMU find a way to stem the losses. Polestar chief executive Barry Hibbert, who went to the...

STOP PRESS: Orchard to close.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Gloucester-based printer Orchard is to close with the loss of 16 jobs after going into voluntary liquidation. The firm was set up in 1936.

STOP PRESS: BBC Magazines buys Origin.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... BBC Magazines has bought Bristol-based Origin Publishing (PrintWeek, 26 February). Origin publishes consumer titles, including Focus and Living History.

STOP PRESS: Duplo promotes Dobinson.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Sally Dobinson has been promoted to UK divisional managing director at Duplo International, responsible for UK strategic business units including print finishing.

STOP PRESS: Polestar conducts survey.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Polestar is conducting a 'Training Needs Survey' for its 4,500 staff in a scheme devised with the GPMU.

STOP PRESS: Publishers propose merger.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Publishers Informa and Taylor & Francis have proposed a pounds 1bn merger to create a firm called T&F Informa.

STOP PRESS: Colleagues enters into CVA.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Colleagues Direct Marketing has entered into a Creditors Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) this week following a pounds 250,000 corporation tax bill. Free daily e-mail news direct to your desktop, register at www.printweek.com.

MBA buys Polestar envelope division.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The MBA Group has bought selected assets of Paulton-based Polestar Select Envelopes, which it will 'seamlessly' transfer to its envelope division in Milton Keynes over the next month. The assets include machinery, stock and work in progress...

Creo in pounds 27m investment deal.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Creo has signed a deal to raise pounds 27m (dollars 50m) through the issue of 5m shares to a syndicate of investors, which it will use primarily to fund its plate strategy. 'Our main priority is to aggressively follow our digital media...

Williams Lea gets 3i injection.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Williams Lea is to benefit from a pounds 20m influx of new capital from venture capital house 3i, which it will use to fund new contracts and potential acquisitions. 3i has also made a tender offer to existing shareholders pledging to...

SHORTS: Komori expanding.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Komori UK managing director Martin Rickards' empire is expanding as Komori is restructuring its EMEA sales territory. From next month Rickards will head Komori International Netherlands, which as well as the UK will cover Scandinavia, Germany,...

SHORTS: Fingerprints takes delivery.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Fingerprints has taken delivery of a Heidelberg Printmaster 46 to complement its Quickmaster DI. The machine was bought to handle fifth special colours offline as well as a range of single- and two-colour work. The Barrow-in-Furness company has...

SHORTS: Canon to become supplier.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Canon is to become an official supplier to the UEFA Champions League. The three-year deal will run until the end of the 2005/06 season, during which Canon will supply UEFA with a range of digital imaging products including still cameras,...

SHORTS: Walsall Security prints 50th stamp.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Walsall Security Printers has printed the 50th anniversary commemorative stamp edition of JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The stamps were designed by HGV Design and commissioned by the Royal Mail.

SHORTS: CDMS recruits new members.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... CDMS, the Merseyside data and document specialist, has recruited five new members for its planning and customer services team. Gerry Quirk, Brian Taylor, John Green, Steven Peel and Leanne Scully (pictured) have joined new sales director Ian...

SHORTS: Etrinsic recruits new members.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Birmingham print management company Etrinsic has recruited six new members of the team to cover the Midlands and south-east England. Andrew Berry and Nick Rose join as account directors, while Victoria Benjamin, Leanda Phillips, Rob Stewart and...

SHORTS: Colour Quest buys third press.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The Colour Quest group in Hemel Hempstead has bought its third Heidelberg Speedmaster SM74-5 five-colour press to meet additional market demand. Managing director Tyrone Spence said: 'We won't necessarily fill the new press but we will have the...

SHORTS: VeriVide donates equipment.(VeriVide )(Leicester College of Printing )(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Visual and colour assessment specialist VeriVide has strengthened its ties with the Leicester College of Printing by donating a range of equipment to the college. It has also recently become a member of the BPIF.

SHORTS: Wrong number.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... In last week's Product of the Week on the Markzware Flightcheck Professional an incorrect telephone number was published. The correct number for ROI Distribution is 01354 659636 or sales@roidistribution.com. We apologise for any inconvenience...

Kall Kwik franchisee chief slams Adare control.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The chairman of the Independent Kall Kwik Franchise Owners Association has written an open letter to his members to protest at the activities of its parent group Adare. Andrew Mitchell said that while it was fair for Adare to set its own...

Cheshire takes on top finance role at Cradley.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Cradley, the West Midlands-based web offset printer, has appointed Ross Cheshire as finance director with effect from 15 March. Non-executive chairman John Wheatley said Cheshire would replace Paul Phillips, who is currently interim finance...

Komori uncovers its perfector plan.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Komori plans to major on perfecting presses at Drupa, and will also use the show to launch a new 32pp web and entry-level A2/B2 press onto the European market. A revamped System 38S 16pp web will be running at the exhibition with a new...

Charterhouse grabs pounds 5m DM Powergen deal.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Charterhouse, the Hatfield-based print management company, has won a major contract worth pounds 5m per annum to handle all the direct marketing material for Powergen. The contract, which will be ongoing, was awarded after a short tender...

CGI buys out from US parent.(ADP Graphic Communications)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The directors of CGI Group have staged a management buyout from US group ADP Graphic Communications. Despite the move, ADP will still be strategic partners to the Canary Wharf financial printing firm. The MBO will cover CGI's divisions in...

Chelsea Pensioners see Tricorne printing process.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Two Chelsea Pensioners made the journey from London to Chichester to see the printing process behind the Royal Hospital Chelsea newsletter The Tricorne, printed by RPM Print & Design and published by Russell Associates. Chelsea Pensioner...

Printing.com: franchising model 'well on track'.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Franchising will generate almost 30% of Printing. com's quoted print work in the current financial year, and should grow to half the firm's revenue by 2005, reports corporate research specialist Hardman. 'It shows that the model is well on...

MAN is cautious as Drupa draws near.(MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... MAN Roland chief executive Gerd Finkbeiner said the industry was heading into Drupa in May with 'mixed feelings'. Speaking at the company's pre-Drupa press conference at its Augsburg HQ last week, he said 'we are all a bit more upbeat' but...

Double win for Scottish UPM's certifications.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... UPM's Caledonian paper mill has been certified to dual environmental Chain of Custody standards. This means the Irvine-based paper mill is now certified to both Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) and...

BPI preliminary results reflect improved 2003.(British Polythene Industries)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Packaging group British Polythene Industries (BPI) has posted strong preliminary results for the year ended December 2003. Pre-tax profits increased to pounds 14.2m, a 7% increase from the previous year, while sales rose to pounds 341m...

Presstek enjoys revenue rise.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Presstek has overcome a drop in the supply of its imaging head technology to Heidelberg's Quickmaster DI press to record an overall growth in revenue for 2003. The digital imaging and plate technology manufacturer's sales of its imaging...

New firm formed from Haven.(Haven Colourprint UK)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Haven Colourprint UK has formed from the remnants of Haven Colourprint, which went into voluntary liquidation in January this year. The new firm has been set up following three months of negotiations between the directors of Cardiff-based...

Reed forced to sell its packaging arm.(Reed Packaging)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Reed Packaging, the Gateshead-based food and pharmaceutical carton manufacturer, has been put up for sale by its parent company Reed Print Group. The company has given Reed Packaging employees notice of possible redundancies in case a...

Picon signs 44 firms for Drupa.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Graphic arts industry body Picon will have 44 companies exhibiting under its banner at this year's Drupa. The firms will exhibit on Picon's British Group stands in the pre-press, finishing and printing sections of the show. Seven of the...

Mirror mulls closure of sites.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Trinity Mirror is looking to reduce its 12 print sites further following last week's announcement that 14 jobs would go at its Aspley plant when production of the Huddersfield Examiner relocates to Oldham in April (PrintWeek, 26 February). ...

Legal Notices.
March 4, 2004... This information is extracted from the print- and publishing-related notices that appear in the London Gazette. Further information is available from its website at: www.london-gazette.co.uk Companies in Liquidation Adrian Press Ltd...

HighWater chosen by E-G for B2 CTP.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Esko-Graphics will launch an entry-level B2 platesetter at Drupa, the PlateDriver-Compact, which is based on HighWater's Python. HighWater Designs sales director Peter Flynn said that the deal was great news for the Cheltenham-based company...

RealTimeProof in expansion.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... RealTimeImage is expanding the scope of RealTimeProof beyond remote proofing to what it terms 'approval management' with version 5, which will be launched at Drupa. 'Clients said a big problem was managing approvals and ensuring...

Agfa favours Drupa over Ifra.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Agfa is likely to sidestep the annual Ifra newspaper show in October in favour of exhibiting at Drupa in May. 'Almost all the big newspapers are visiting Drupa. We have to look at the efficiency of our marketing spend and we are talking to...

SHORTS: GL Print installs platesetter.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Berkshire-based GL Print has increased its plate capacity three-fold with the installation of a Lotem 400 platesetter from Creo. The thermal platesetter, which is driven by Brisque workflow, produces plates for the company's B2 Heidelberg...

SHORTS: Screen launches CIP3 InkZone to Print.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Screen has launched CIP3 InkZone to Print, which allows printers to set ink values on any number of presses direct from digital job data generated by Trueflow workflow, but without the need to scan the plate or invest in an on-press conversion...

SHORTS: GMG to show new proofing products.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... GMG will show a revised version of ColorProof 04 along with other new proofing products at this May's Drupa exhibition. The company will also launch FlexoProof 04 for the flexo market, as well as InkOptimizer, and two colour management modules...

SHORTS: Markzware releases FlightCheck Workflow v3.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Markzware has released FlightCheck Workflow v3, formerly MarkzScout v2, which is available immediately. The software can be integrated with FlightCheck Professional and FlightCheck Online. FlightCheck Workflow costs pounds 799 and can be used...

SHORTS: Great Northern Envelopes installs system.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Great Northern Envelopes has installed a Fuji Rampage Open Workflow system and a Luxel Vx-9600 CTP B1 violet platesetter. It is part of Great Northern Envelopes' ongoing expansion programme.

SHORTS: La Cite Numerique pilot site.
March 4, 2004... Lille-based La Cite Numerique, which is part of French mail order group 3 Suisses International, has become the European pilot site for the GATF award-winning monitor proofing system Matchprint Virtual Proofing System. The company has Europe's...

SHORTS: Screen becomes approved provider.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Screen has become an approved Epson service provider, allowing it to handle the maintenance of Epson components in-house. Epson has trained Screen engineers and Screen UK service operations manager Steve Low said that it was imperative for the...

SHORTS: Hamillroad announces availability.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Hamillroad Software has announced the availability of its FirstPROOF Plus software, which contains an 'unprecedented' set of soft-proofing tools. FirstPROOF Plus has eight additional tools including ones to check screen frequencies and angles,...

Versamark to roll out new ink-jet set.(Kodak Versamark Inc.)(Drupa)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... At Drupa, Kodak Versamark plans to show its next generation of ink-jet presses, which it claims provide a viable alternative for some web-offset work. 'Our direction is to be a viable replacement for some offset work such as mail order...

Scitex takes on Asia challenge.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Scitex Vision is taking the threat from Chinese manufacturers seriously and has reduced the price of its hardware in response. 'They will learn and come up with better products and support, we need to raise the bar,' said executive vice...

SHORTS: Xaar expands with appointments.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Xaar has expanded its business development team with three new appointments. Bryan Palphreyman and Peter Addington were appointed as business development managers for packaging while John Attard was appointed business development for new...

SHORTS: London College of Communication joins PODi.(Print On Demand Initiative)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The London College of Communication has joined the Print On Demand Initiative (PODi), the US-based body for promoting digital print, that is behind the development of variable data printing standard PPML. 'We are proud to be associated with...

SHORTS: City Printing installs.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... City Printing in London N7 has spent pounds 115,000 with Litho Supplies to install a Xerox DocuColor 5252. City Printing managing director Michael Peters said: 'We finally settled on the Xerox as we are convinced that it is the most technically...

SHORTS: Xaar introduces ink.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Xaar has introduced a Fast Dry Coding and Marking Ink, designed specifically for use with the XJ128 printhead. Developed in conjunction with leading ink-jet manufacturer SunJet, the ink is based on a black dye solvent for fast adhesion to...

SHORTS: Safety wrap wins categories.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The safety wrap on St Paul's Cathedral has won two categories at the Property Advertising Marketing and Design Awards (PAMADA). The wrap, printed with a life size engraving of the cathedral's famous West Front, was produced by Mega Profile.

SHORTS: NUR launches new printer version.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Wide-format specialist NUR has launched a new version of its Fresco wide-format printer and a faster version of its UV-cured flatbed the Tempo. The Fresco II replaces the HiQ and can print up to 82 sq m per hour. It also has options for...

SHORTS: Xerox awards EFI.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Xerox has awarded EFI the accolade of Software Partner of the Year. The annual award recognises the significant contribution of a Xerox partner to the company's business.

FSC acts to clear credit confusion.(Forest Stewardship Council)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is to launch a Paper Forum to try and bring together key players in the industry, following confusion over its Chain of Custody Certification for printers. It follows the FSC accreditation handed to...

Paper Pricewatch Cartonboard, March 2004.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Prices remain stable in the cartonboard sector as the quiet start to the year continues, writes Philip Chadwick. One paper source said that the market was 'fairly dull' at the moment although there is a tentative belief that prices could...

SHORTS: MoDo Merchants launches campaign.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... MoDo Merchants has launched a campaign to raise awareness of its brands and service options, which its has called An Extraordinary Find. The campaign is based on the increasing interest in history highlighting Celtic, Roman and Medieval British...

SHORTS: Contemporary by Croxley used.(Standout Design & Marketing)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Leicester's Standout Design & Marketing has used Sappi Nash's business stationery paper, Contemporary by Croxley, for its promotional material. Standout Design & Marketing managing director Dan Barber said that he chose the range as it provided...

SHORTS: The McNaughton Review Awards.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The McNaughton Review Awards will take place at London Zoo on Tuesday 30 March. The judges have chosen the winners from 1,000 entries. Contact: www.jmcreview.co.uk.

SHORTS: Antalis produces selector guide.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Antalis has produced an envelope product selector guide to complement the ones already available for its coated and uncoated ranges. The guide includes information on weights, colours, closure types and window positions. Contact: 0870 607 9014....

SHORTS: UPM-Kymmene launches extensions.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... At last month's Paperworld exhibition in Frankfurt UPM-Kymmene launched a number of extensions to its Yes brand including business cards, 10x15cm format photo papers, as well as software, CD and DVD labels.

SHORTS: Sodra Cell increases pulp price.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Swedish pulp producer Sodra Cell has increased the price of pulp by dollars 30 a tonne to dollars 620 from 1 March.

SHORTS: PRIMA to hold 35th conference.(Paper & Related Industries Marketing Association )(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The Paper & Related Industries Marketing Association (PRIMA) will hold its 35th annual conference at the Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin at Noordwijk in Holland from 21 to 23 April. The conference will focus on the decade ahead. Contact:...

SHORTS: Robert Horne companies to exhibit ranges.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Robert Horne Group companies A&P Display, Paragon Imaging and Cox Plastics will exhibit their product ranges at this year's Sign UK exhibition. The group's launches, on stand E10, will include the VersaCamm digital printer and a new range of...

SHORTS: Honkanen promoted.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... M-real quality manager at the Kirkniemi mill, Kristiina Honkanen, has been promoted to vice president of environmental affairs from 1 April.

SHORTS: M-real Zanders announces winners.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... M-real Zanders has announced two more winners of its online promotion - Zanders Zeta Zone. Tom Redfern of Kopax UK has won a Panasonic Home Theatre, while David Haviland of Errand Jervis won a trip in a 170mph Ferrari.

Print buying focus at Pira conference.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... The print buying process can greatly add value and reduce costs significantly, if it is evaluated and properly researched. That was one of the findings to come out of Pira's Strategic Print Procurement conference, held at Chelsea Village in...

Image2office wins McD's deal.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... McDonald's Restaurants has handed its printed forms and stationery contract to print management firm image2office. The deal covers all of the fast food giant's 1,200 chain of restaurants throughout the UK and its seven regional offices...

Polestar lands Sussex Life job.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Polestar Colchester has won the contract to print monthly magazine Sussex Life and is linking up with its publisher Archant on further projects. The firm's senior contractual sales executive, David Miles, was tight lipped on the details,...

EU Tenders.
March 4, 2004... Please read the important notes at the foot of the page, as PrintWeek cannot supply any additional information or pass on your details. The tenders below are abridged. It is essential that you obtain a full copy of the tender before contacting...

COMMENT: Is there a solution to a systematic bugbear?(Printing industry)
March 4, 2004... So that's my share of pre-Drupa press conferences done for this year, and I can't quite decide if I'm glad or sad. This time round there seemed to have been fewer revolutionary launches and razzamatazz than previously, but I don't think...

OPINION: Waste not, want not when it comes to inks.(Printing inks)(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... I can't believe that every printer with more than two multi-colour presses doesn't have barrel ink pumping, and everyone with one press doesn't use a cartridge ink system. At the Anton Group we have recently invested in a technotrans...

PROFILE: Thijsen - A Dutch-based success from investments and acquisitions.(Thijssen Holding B.V.)(Company Profile)
March 4, 2004... Secure in its Dutch heritage, Thijsen has moved into the UK market and is already making waves. Buren is the unlikeliest of settings to find one of Holland's largest web printers. Overlooked by the obligatory windmill and surrounded by its...

WALLIS: Image can reveal the substance of our prized sector.(Brief Article)
March 4, 2004... Older people have a proclivity for criticising modern society and for perceiving a universal decline in behavioural and other standards. It is an oddly satisfying pastime, but ultimately destructive for everybody involved, not least for the...

ANALYSIS: Supermarkets under fire in Code debate.
March 4, 2004... OFT report reveals impasse as suppliers remain quiet to safeguard their precious contracts. Last week the OFT's long-awaited review into the Supermarket Code of Practice with suppliers was published. The report investigated the Code's...

ANALYSIS: Will the rise of the e-bill put paid to the envelope?
March 4, 2004... Utility suppliers are ripping up their paper bills and turning electronic in a bid to trim costs, writes Tony Brown The bill is dead. Long live the e-bill. While thousands of households may celebrate the passing of the dreaded envelope...

Time for a makeover?(packaging design)
March 4, 2004... A strong brand relies fundamentally on the right packaging design Des King investigates the impact on print 'Packaging can be such an important factor within a brand's DNA,' believes The Brand Council founder Marcel Knobil. 'Brand managers...

DIGITAL EXPO 2004 SHOW PREVIEW: Sign of the times.
March 4, 2004... It's three shows for the price of one at this year's multichannel event. Simon Creasey takes a look at what's in store The cream of the printing industry will descend on Birmingham later this month to take part in this year's combined Sign...

PRODUCT PORTFOLIO: Product of the Week - Xerox DocuTech 120.
March 4, 2004... The new generation DocuTech, strong in its mid-range niche, has its rivals taking notice. It is 14 years since the first Xerox DocuTech arrived and now the firm has launched the first of a new generation of DocuTechs: the DocuTech 120...