Print Week articles from October 2004

Print Week archives from October 2004

NJP to unveil details of new superplant.(New Jarrold Printing)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... New Jarrold Printing will use next month's ECMOD event (European Catalogue and Mail Order Days) to reveal further details of its new factory plans. The Norwich firm expects to finalise its decisions on press supplier and location in time...

NI plans print site at Waltham Cross.(News International)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... News International (NI), the owner of Wapping, is planning to build a print plant on a 40-acre, pounds 21m site on a business park in Hertfordshire. The Murdoch-owned newspaper giant, which publishes The Times and The Sun, has acquired a...

Drent shuts UK arm after sales grind to a halt.(Drent Goebel)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Drent Goebel has closed its UK sales operation, Drent (UK), with KPMG Corporate Recovery Leeds appointed liquidator on Tuesday 5 October. 'Falling sales had lead to the liquidator being called in,' said a KPMG spokeswoman. 'We have...

Karran enters CVA due to sales slump.(Karran Group, Creditors Voluntary Agreement)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... The Karran Group is to enter into a Creditors Voluntary Agreement (CVA) after suffering a disastrous summer following the cancellation of a large contract. Direct mail specialist Karran suffered a loss of pounds 228,000 in July due to the...

Stop Press: 3D Digital hits 1m mark.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... 3D Digital has hit the 1m impressions per month mark on its iGen3 just three months after its installation. Two jobs helped it hit that target, 400,000 pages of planning applications for the Olympics 2012 bid and a 48,000 run of personalised...

Stop Press: Obituary - Laurence Baxter.(managing director of Thomas E Knight)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
October 7, 2004... Laurence Baxter, who introduced Komori presses to the UK when managing director of Thomas E Knight in the late 1960s, has died aged 84.

Stop Press: Hibbert appointed.(Barry Hibbert joined Polestar)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Polestar chief Barry Hibbert has been appointed to the board of the European Rotogravure Association.

Stop Press: Andrew Pindar buys apartment.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Andrew Pindar has bought a quayside apartment in Plymouth and is planning to invest pounds 500,000 in opening an Alphagraphics in the town.

Stop Press: PrintWeek tickets sold out.(PrintWeek Awards 2004)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... PrintWeek Awards 2004 Tickets for the ceremony on 18 October have sold out. Contact Sam Graham on 020 8267 4145 to go on the waiting list. Free daily e-mail news direct to your desktop, register at www.printweek.com.

Guardian printing piece angers BPIF.(British Printing Industries Federation)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... The BPIF has slammed a full-page article published in The Guardian which claimed that UK Print plc was in 'terminal decline'. The article, published in Monday's business section (4 October), said: 'The UK print industry is in terminal...

Southernprint: not acquiring.(Stephen Clark plan to acquire few companies)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Southernprint managing director Stephen Clark has played down speculation that he has a number of acquisition targets in his sights. The Poole-based printer is owned by highly acquisitive American newspaper group Gannett. Southernprint has...

CVC plans to merge BASF, ANI.(ANI Printing Inks, CVC Capital Partners, BASF Printing Systems Group)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... BASF Printing Systems is to merge with ANI Printing Inks after private equity firm CVC Capital Partners bought both companies. The deal, announced last Thursday, will create a consumables group with annual sales of more than pounds 570m....

Shorts: Moore retires.(Colin Moore, St. Ives PLC)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... St Ives Direct Romford machine room overseer Colin Moore, one of the first printers to work for St Ives founder Lord Gavron, has retired after 48 years with the company. Moore's career began with CB Printers in 1956. In his farewell speech he...

Shorts: Johnston Press deal delayed.(Johnston Press Group plans for print plant)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... The deal on Johnston Press Group's new pounds 40m print plant in Sheffield has been delayed but will be signed 'in the next few weeks', according to chief executive Tim Bowdler. The new plant, to be built on the outskirts of the city, will...

Shorts: Statexcolour Print appoints.(Tracy Kenny )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Newcastle-based Statexcolour Print has appointed Tracy Kenny as internal account handler. Her role will be to support the expansion of the company, which is currently investing in new technology and training.

Shorts: Tyler leaves Blackburns.(Keith Tyler resigned)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Keith Tyler, who was recruited by Gurdev Singh at Blackburns, is leaving the firm to join Howitt as data development manager. He takes up his new role at the Sutton-in-Ashfield firm next month, and will be tasked with driving forward the data...

Shorts: Checkprint awards scholarship.(Ramandeep Kaur Dhiman )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Security print specialist Checkprint has awarded a scholarship to Ramandeep Kaur Dhiman to study for a business management and enterprise degree at Leicester Business School, De Montfort University. Checkprint managing director Martin Ruda...

Shorts: Friary Press 100th.(conntract with Stehlin Hostag Ink UK for technotrans eco.clean)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Friary Press is to be the 100th company to take delivery of a technotrans eco.clean unit. The solvent recovery unit, ordered through Stehlin Hostag, will be installed later this month. The eco.clean will serve four Heidelberg Speedmaster 102...

Shorts: Valley Inks catalogue.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Valley Inks has published a new offset inks product catalogue. For a copy contact 020 8293 4900.

Shorts: Printing.com buoyant trading.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... High street franchise Printing.com has reported buoyant trading for August and September after achieving record transactions in the six months to September.

Shorts: Institute of Packaging Awards.(Schools Starpack Awards )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... The Institute of Packaging has launched its Schools Starpack Awards for 2005. The awards are for pupils up to AS level who are invited to design and produce packaging for an Easter egg and a lunchbox.

Shorts: Polestar becomes one of first.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Polestar has become one of the first corporate members of the Stationers' Company. The organisation launched its Corporate Membership Initiative to mark its 600th anniversary.

Inca makes poll of 100 fastest growing tech firms.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Inca Digital was ranked 11th in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100, a listing of the UK's fastest growing technology companies. The Cambridge-based firm, which was formed at Drupa 2000, was the only print related firm in the list. The ranking...

Polestar to put pounds 10m into new finishing plant.(Polestar Chantry)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Polestar has allocated pounds 10m from its True North investment programme to a new finishing and mailing facility at Polestar Chantry in Wakefield. Stage one will be the installation, in October, of two new Sitma 950 mailing lines and a...

Kodak to cease UK GA film production.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Eastman Kodak is ceasing graphic arts film production in the UK with the loss of 250 jobs. The coating line at Harrow that produces the graphic arts film sold by Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) will close by the end of March 2005. ...

Search begins for the UK's Top 500 print firms.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Compilation of the industry's biggest survey of business performance, the PrintWeek Top 500, is underway. PrintWeek has teamed up with financial and business adviser Grant Thornton to compile the survey. Daniel Smith, head of Grant...

Directions notes print upturn.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... A welcome drop in overcapacity and healthy economic conditions this summer produced an upturn for the print industry, according to the BPIF's Directions survey. The quarterly report shows that the percentage of firms working below capacity...

Tullis Russell paper used for launch.(Tullis Russell Papermakers Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Tullis Russell's Cypher paper was used for the national launch of The Big Draw 2004 campaign, held in London on 26 September. The Scottish papermaker donated a quantity of large reels and sheets of Cypher, which were used for the multitude of...

Evonprint ploughs pounds 1.3m into 10-colour overhaul.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Magazine and commercial printer Evonprint has invested pounds 1.3m and taken its first steps into long perfecting as well as improving its CTP effiencies. The pounds 2.2m turnover firm will take delivery of a Heidelberg Speedmaster...

Sappi Nash Mill picks up EMAS green approval.(Eco-Management and Audit Scheme )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Sappi Nash Mill has achieved Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) accreditation, as part of Sappi's commitment to the environment. 'The EMAS registration confirms our commitment to the requirements of operating in a sound environmental...

Survey paves way for improvement.
October 7, 2004... The Partnership at Work survey has revealed major differences of views between employers and employees on some aspects of the industry. But the BPIF, the GPMU and the SPEF are convinced that the results, published this week, will provide a...

Robert Horne's paper prices to go up by 4-10%.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Robert Horne has become the latest paper merchant to announce price in-creases, following recent moves by Antalis, Map and PaperCo. The firm intends to increase its prices by between 4% and 10% with effect from 1 November, and clarification...

Buzwell subsidiary claims priority against parent.(Buzwell Group, Abbott Holdings )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Abbott Holdings has registered a debenture against the assets of Buzwell Group, effectively declaring itself as a preferential creditor of the troubled group. However, it has emerged that the shop fittings manufacturer is part of Abbott...

NexPress and KPG sales agreement.(Kodak Polychrome Graphics )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... NexPress has signed up Kodak Polychrome Graphics to sell its product range worldwide. The deal started in the US this month and will be rolled out to other countries in the first quarter of 2005. This ends speculation that the two...

Warners to build new factory.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Warners Midlands is to build an additional 4,000m2 factory, next to its Manor Lane site in Bourne, Lincolnshire, which will house two new web presses and perfect binding lines. The reason for the investment, which could top pounds 10m, is...

Edale expansion in full steam.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Edale has expanded its business further with the opening of an additional factory, more staff and expansion into its European and US markets. The narrow web flexographic printing press manufacturer has also restructured its management...

Alpine Press joins forces with Maund.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Alpine Press and Maund & Irvine have merged businesses, with both companies now operating out of Alpine's Kings Langley base. Alpine Press managing director Maurice Grainger said the two parties had been in discussions for just over a year,...

Compact dailies in spotlight.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Editors of The Independent, The Times and The Guardian are to go head-to-head on the great compact question next month. Simon Kelner, Robert Thomson and Alan Rusbridger will debate the issue of going tabloid at The Stationers' Livery Hall...

Greenpeace urges eco-books.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Greenpeace is campaigning for UK publisher HarperCollins to print Chilean author Isabel Allende's book, Forest of the Pygmies, on environmentally friendly paper. This latest move is part of Greenpeace's 'Book' campaign, which aimed to...

Legal Notices.(Illustration)
October 7, 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. Winding Up Petitions Easierprint Ltd RO:...

NCS fills CTP gap with Screen deal.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... NCS Integrated Solutions has become a Screen dealer, to fill the gap left in its product range following its fallout with Creo. As a result of the deal the firm has also expanded its product range to cover all CTP from B3 to VLF. Sales...

New training group launched.(4impression Training Group)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... A number of former Jarvis Porter personnel are behind a new specialist training provider, 4impression Training Group. Supported by former Jarvis Porter chairman Paul Jarvis, and ex-technical director John Morton as course director,...

Fuji first-half sales leap 20%.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Fujifilm Graphics Systems continues to report strong growth in the UK, with figures for its first half up 20% on the same period last year according to divisional director Keith Dalton. He added that if the figures were on a quarterly basis...

Shorts: AT Graphics streamlines process.(AT Graphics )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Halifax-based AT Graphics has streamlined its proofing approval process, from two days to two hours, using Kodak Polychrome Graphics' RealTimeProof system. The introduction of the system has also significantly improved turnaround times for the...

Shorts: Chalvington Press invests.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Hampshire-based Chalvington Press has invested in CTP technology with a B1 Screen PlateRite 8000II and Trueflow workflow. The PlateRite 8000II is already producing 2,000 plates per month, and is feeding two B1 and two B2 presses at the firm.

Shorts: Wam!Net moves premises.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Wam!Net has moved to larger premises in central London due to the expansion of its workforce. The new facility is located on Farringdon Road.

Shorts: Compose System signs agreement.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Compose System has signed an OEM agreement with Lucid Dream Software. As part of the agreement, Compose will Market Lucid's I-Trap trapping software, and offer it as a module for Compose's pre-press workflow system, Express WorkFlow. Compose...

Shorts: Global Graphics Software appoints.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Global Graphics Software has made a number of new appointments to its marketing, product management and technical teams. Tom Mills has been appointed as director of marketing, having previously been with Lectra Systemes. Dan Woodford has been...

Shorts: Digital Images installs.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Digital Images has installed a B1 Luxel Vx-9600 CTP platesetter and Fuji Rampage Open Workflow; its first step into CTP. The Luton-based trade repro house has quadrupled its output as a result. The firm is also using Fujifilm's Brillia LP-NV...

Shorts: GretagMacbeth's software shipping.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... GretagMacbeth's new PlateQuality software is now shipping, following its introduction at Drupa earlier this year. The software offers ease-of-use, tracking and data management and data processing options. The software has been designed for use...

Shorts: St Richards Press installs platesetter.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... St Richards Press has improved efficiencies with the installation of a HighWater Python violet laser platesetter, with Fuji LP-NV photopolymer plates. The Chichester-based commercial printer had been looking to update its conventional...

Shorts: Wave2 Media Solutions package.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Wave2 Media Solutions has launched a three-part software package which allows automatic make-up of pages and display advertisements. Zeus creates custom inserts and journals, while Apollo automatically creates display advertisements, signage...

Nur heads Action Graphics kit drive.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Birmingham large-format specialist Action Graphics has bought a Nur Tempo ink-jet flatbed printer as part of a pounds 500,000 investment in digital kit. The sign and large-format specialist, which employs 35 staff, has also installed a...

DPW to run daily workshops.(Digital Print World )(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Digital Print World is to host a series of daily seminars and masterclasses when it hits London's Olympia at the end of the month. The seminars, which will take place in Quark's Workflow Cinema and Hewlett-Packard's Digital Output...

Pensord in Shuttleworth buy.(Pensord Press instals Shuttleworth management information system)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Pensord has invested pounds 80,000 in a full module 25 user Shuttleworth management information system, as part of its pounds 4m investment strategy. The latest investment is part of the South Wales firm's continued growth, following last...

Shorts: Allen Xerox president.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Xerox has named Quincy Allen as president of its pounds 2.5bn (dollars 4.5bn) production systems group. Allen will take on products including the iGen, Nuvera, DocuPrint and DocuColor. He was previously senior vice president in Xerox business...

Shorts: Seal Graphics launches film.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Seal Graphics has launched a new matt encapsulation film. Thermashield R is polyester-based and has no release liner. It has been developed for flexible indoor displays. The company says that Thermashield R does not have the 'slightly milky'...

Shorts: AIT and Mimaki to produce package.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... AIT and Mimaki have teamed up to produce a print-and-cut package which halves the time taken to produce vehicle livery graphics, stickers and labels. The system, which cuts the substrate as soon as there is sufficient printed material to load...

Shorts: Fespa to host debates.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Fespa is to host its first-ever programme of debates at its 2005 show in Munich. Ex-Fespa president Michael Caza will speak twice, on water and air pollution and on file-handling and management at the free morning seminars. Other speakers...

Shorts: Spectra appoints Wood.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Spectra has appointed Joel Wood as vice-president and general manager of its newly formed Spectra Jetting Components business unit, based in New Hampshire in the US. Wood will be responsible for development and production of print head...

Shorts: Laser-toner vinyl hits market.(TheMagicTouch)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... A new laser-toner compatible vinyl, for printing personalised mobile phone covers has hit the market. The self-adhesive vinyl, produced by TheMagicTouch, is available in A3 and A4 formats and can also be used for car stickers. Visit:...

Shorts: OCSL promotes Richardson.(Optichrome Computer Systems Limited)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Optichrome Computer Systems (OCSL) has promoted Steve Richardson to UK sales manager. He will oversee sales of the firm's MIS products in the UK and Ireland. OCSL managing director Nicola Bisset said: 'Steve's promotion is a result of his...

Shorts: Xaar uses MatrixOne's product.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Xaar has begun using American firm MatrixOne's product lifecycle management product. Rob Welford, Xaar director of engineering, said it can now 'track and maintain any number of design revisions.'

Vutek UltraVu II 3360 increases speed and spec.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Vutek has launched its new three-metre UltraVu II 3360, which offers many new features and 50% more throughput in some print modes. The UltraVu II replaces the previous 3360 EC printer, and comes with many new features such as ColorBurst...

Dims! wins 2nd sale in UK with Simpson Label.(Simpson Label Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Simpson Label Company, part of NSD Labelling Group, has become the second UK firm to order a Dims! MIS. It follows hot on the heels of Leeds-based display print and photographic firm Chromagene (PrintWeek, 30 September). NSD Labelling...

Personalised kids' books hit shelves.
October 7, 2004... Newly launched website Itsyourstory.co.uk has linked up with digital print firm Impressions Direct to produce personalised childrens' storybooks. The site, set up by former editor of PrintWeek sister title Marketing Direct Holly Acland,...

Xeretec pumps pounds 400,000 into digi showroom.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Xerox reseller Xeretec opened its new digital print showroom at the start of this week, which is equipped with the very latest Xerox DocuColor 8000 colour digital press. The firm, which was named Xerox 'reseller of the year' in 2002 and...

Inkfish's new site to double output.(Inkfish Services)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Direct mailing house Inkfish Services has more than doubled its capacity after opening a new 5,200m2 facility in Coventry. The investment in the new factory, and a raft of new kit, has increased the firm's capacity to 150m mailing items per...

Pafra takes WH Leary name.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Carton gluing and quality assurance firm Pafra Systems has changed to its US parent's name, WH Leary, as part of the group's global expansion plan. Europe, in particular France Germany and the Netherlands, is the first part of a selective...

Duplo set to roll out DC-645.(Duplo International Ltd. new trimmimg machine)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Duplo is to give its DC-645 slitter/creaser/trimmer a first UK showing, and it will reveal two mystery products, at Digital Print World. The machine, which will go into production in Japan in the next month, was first demonstrated at...

Shorts: Pit Stop launches AP.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Pit Stop has launched the AP, a new deep pile feed creaser/perforator capable of 8,000sph. The suction-fed unit, which uses a cam and pulsed motor rather than a solenoid action, will be distributed by Encore Machinery. 'It's the first...

Shorts: Falkland Press replaces guillotine.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Barnet-based Falkland Press has replaced its aging 76cm guillotine with a 10th generation Polar 115XT, to keep up with demand following its acquisition of Thorn Printing last year. 'We've pushed the boat out on functionality and bought a...

Shorts: Adpak teams with BVM Brunner.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Adpak has teamed up with BVM Brunner to become the exclusive UK agent for the German manufacturer's range of high-speed automatic shrinkwrapping equipment. Adpak is also an authorised distributor for the Bemis Clysar range of shrink films.

Shorts: Capital Group buys laminator.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Capital Group in Brixton has bought one of the latest Autobond Compact 52 laminators. The firm, which specialises in the supply of four-colour brochures for the property industry, made the investment in response to the growing trend in...

Shorts: Encapsulating Company installs.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... The Encapsulating Company has installed its fifth high-speed encapsulating line and an additional hand-fed machine. The firm, which can now offer short-run hand-fed OPP laminating on one- or two-sides in gloss and matt film up to SRA2, believes...

Shorts: Thamesdown Marketing installs machine.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Thamesdown Marketing has installed a Mailcrafter inserting machine at its Swindon plant. The six-station Mailcrafter 9800, supplied by Mailing & Mechanisation, can handle envelopes up to 165x242mm and has an insert size of 152x228x6.3mm. 'It...

Shorts: Kenyon Group revamps website.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... The Kenyon Group has revamped its e-commerce website, making it more user friendly and increasing its technical information, health and safety data and range of adhesives. The group has also become hot-melt specialist Nordsons' number one UK...

FSC accreditation enters new phase.(Forest Stewardship Council)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has launched four chain of custody standards that promise particular benefits for pulp and paper mills. Approved at the end of September, the introduction of the new standards follows a comprehensive...

Howard Smith student gongs.(Howard Smith Paper introduced Student Awards)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Howard Smith Paper has introduced the Consort Royal Student Awards, as part of its overall Consort Royal Graphic Design and Print Awards, now in its third year. The student awards will be a standalone competition that will run alongside...

Paper Pricewatch Woodfree papers, October 2004.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... A period of price stability looks likely to end this month as merchants finally push through price increases, writes Andy Scott. Moves by manufacturers to increase prices by between 5-8% from September failed to materialise due to market...

Shorts: Pulp United appoints.(Jan-Eirik Nilsen)(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Pulp United has appointed Jan-Eirik Nilsen as project leader to work on its new BCTMP factory joint venture in South Africa. Nilsen will work on the pre-project of the venture between Sodra Cell and NCT Forestry, the South African forest owners...

Shorts: Garnett launches glitter range.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Garnett has launched a range of paper with embedded glitter. The company says that the 'Alchemy Reflections' range will keep its glitter effect however the paper is used. Garnett managing director Cliff Barry said the range was targeted at...

Shorts: M-real produces swatch.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... M-real has produced a swatch for its Tauro range of woodfree, white uncoated paper. The swatch is accompanied by a case study of German cosmetics manufacturer Aptheker Scheller, which used Tauro to print its product brochure. The 32pp swatch...

Shorts: Sappi to expand competition.(Brief Article)
October 7, 2004... Sappi is to expand its global Printer of the Year competition. The company is set to reveal the developments at this year's awards ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, on 23 October. Changes to the competition, which began in 1979, will be...