Printing World articles from February 2006

Printing World archives from February 2006

TripleArc fights for its future.
February 2, 2006... #3m investment and major salesforce shake-up points the way ahead Mark Foxwell TripleArc dashed rumours of a possible sale this week after revealing an ambitious investment plan and restructuring of its salesforce. Industry...

Cooper Clegg hits out at Polestar over price.
February 2, 2006... Simon Nias Cooper Clegg has hit out at rival Polestar after losing the contract to print top-selling teen magazine `Sugar'. The Tewkesbury firm, which has printed the magazine since its launch 12 years ago, lost out following publisher...

Colour Company moves forward with litho.
February 2, 2006... The Colour Company, a Former digital print retailer, is making an ambitious `reverse' move into traditional litho. The Cheltenham firm has bought a Printmaster PM 52-2 and Polysetter ctp system from Heidelberg. Alan Wainwright,...

Communisis ends first stage talks.
February 2, 2006... Mark Foxwell Communisis has CONCLUdED preliminary discussions over a possible takeover. David Jones, chief executive, was unable to comment on whether a potential buyer had pulled out or whether the Leeds-based firm remains a...

In2Print tips 20% Laco boost.
February 2, 2006... In2Print expects to see a 20% productivity boost from England's first Laco coater. The Cheltenham company has spent #650,000 on a Heidelberg Speedmaster SM52-5 with Laco coating unit and a Topsetter 74 ctp system. The Speedmaster is being...

Sketchley takes Cradley Print to the cleaners with #45K payout.
February 2, 2006... A former Cradley Print worker was celebrating this week, after being awarded #45,000 compensation for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal. Karen Sketchley, an Amicus member, was given the payment after the West Midlands firm's...

In brief: Hillcrest search.
February 2, 2006... Hillcrest Group, Dundee, is looking for a print and design company for publications including pamphlets and leaflets. The two-year contract worth up to #200,000 is set to begin in April 2006 and has the option of a one-year extension. ...

In brief: Goss for North West.
February 2, 2006... The North West of Ireland Printing and Publishing Company in Omagh, Northern Ireland, has ordered a Goss Community 4-high colour tower addition for its existing Goss Community press to meet growing demand for increased colour. Copyright:...

In brief: G&J gains K&F.
February 2, 2006... Glunz & Jensen from Ringsted, Denmark, has acquired K&F International from Granger, Indiana. Glunz hopes to use the K&F prepress portfolio for its own prepress strategy. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

In brief: Fuji invites entries.
February 2, 2006... Fujifilm is taking entries for its PPLA Colour Printer Awards 2006, which celebrate members of the UK image processing industry. The overall deadline for entries is 28 February. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

In brief: Bertelsmann float.
February 2, 2006... German media group Bertelsmann is preparing to float next year after minority investor Group Bruxelles Lambert, a 25 per cent shareholder, said it would exercise the right to list its holding. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Amicus intervenes as TTB Group falls apart.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Mark Foxwell The troubled TTB Group has collapsed resulting in 92 staff losing their jobs. The group's operations in Morley Road and Sovereign Way, Tonbridge, were axed last week. This followed the closure of the firm's TTB Binders...

Hope for TP8 but Jowetts fails.
February 2, 2006... Jowetts, part of the former Boxstar group that fell into administration last week, has closed with the loss of 80 staff. However hope remains for the future of fellow TP8 companies Broadleys and Hannibal. Leeds-based Jowetts, which...

Dozen jobs in jeopardy at St Ives Plymouth as Heidelberg goes.
February 2, 2006... A "number of jobs" will be axed at St. Ives Plymouth after the company replaces its presses. The firm is swapping a pair of Heidelberg M300 webs for a Goss M600, and will lay off up to 12 people. Dave Emeny, head of St Ives' web...

11 jobs may vanish in Scarborough.
February 2, 2006... Eleven printers are likely to lose their jobs if the plan to close Johnston Press' Scarborough site go ahead. Johnston plans to close the Scarborough site because it is old and the company does not think it is worth paying to bring it up to...

Arrowsmith hit by pension hole.
February 2, 2006... Tom Hawkins JW Arrowsmith, the historic book printer, closed its doors last week after falling foul of new pensions rules. The Bristol company was placed into administration on 11 January. Philip Cave, managing director, said weak...

`Which?' way to turn for Charterhouse.
February 2, 2006... Charterhouse has nabbed the #3.5m print management contract for consumer champions `Which?'. The interest group awarded the contract to the London firm after a three-way competitive tender. The work includes direct marketing and the...

Shop's Hamada play.
February 2, 2006... Ink Shop, the pioneer of Heidelberg's B3 long perfector, has switched allegiance in its latest press investment.The Scottish retail print chain has installed a 4-colour Hamada landscape press and a polyester platesetter from Presstek Europe....

In brief: Parry warning.
February 2, 2006... Future Publishing chairman Roger Parry has warned that he expects trading conditions to remain challenging and said the company will "continue to take a cautious view" on the outlook for the near term. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

In brief: Punch enters DM ring.
February 2, 2006... Punch Graphix, through its Xeikon brand, is debuting a direct mail and transactional digital print solution at the Graphics of the Americas/Xplor event in Miami, Florida this week. It will also feature at Ipex in April. Copyright: CMP...

In brief: PrintJob and MIS team.
February 2, 2006... PrintJob and Print MIS have joined forces to create print management system Epro Plus, mixing PrintJob's procurement knowledge with Print MIS's print management expertise. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Thanks a million as SPS goes litho.
February 2, 2006... Tom Hawkins SPS has made a bold move into litho printing with a #1m spend on a B1 long perfector and workflow. The Ferndown screen printing specialist is this week completing trials on a refurbished 8-colour Heidelberg 102, supplied by...

IBM sets the colour standard.
February 2, 2006... Tom Hawkins IBM has published an industry-wide standard to spearhead colour growth in transactional printing. The company has publicised a colour management specification for documents formatted in IBM's Advanced Function Presentation...

Thanet's right on time to make a big noise with the Mersey beat.
February 2, 2006... Thanet Press has clinched a #250,000 deal to print train timetables for Merseytravel. It will print four booklets for Mersey's City line under the five-year contract worth #50,000 a year. Merseytravel co-ordinates public transport in...

GAE gives it the works with its April display.
February 2, 2006... Anna Mitchell Graphic Arts Equipment has revealed plans to showcase its entire print production process in a simulated print room at Ipex. The company from Perivale, West London, will employ equipment from its supplier portfolio to...

X and Y for Canon.
February 2, 2006... Canon has revealed further details of eagerly anticipated colour printers being launched at Ipex. It says the two, known as imagePress `X' and imagePress 'Y' combine new fusing, toner, development and registration systems with quality...

The Domino effect.
February 2, 2006... Domino has developed a prototype of its K-Series drop on demand printer which will be shown at Ipex. The K200 is billed as the flagship product of the K-Series. Philip Easton, product director of commercial printing at Domino, said:...

In brief: Double PitStop.
February 2, 2006... Enfocus is launching PitStop Automate and previewing PitStop Professional 7 at Ipex. Last month Artwork Systems and Enfocus said their plans for integration involved both companies concentrating on separate industry sectors. Copyright: CMP...

In brief: Colour in action.
February 2, 2006... Visitors to the GMG stand will see its Color Server, FlexoProof and ColorProof software and proofing technology in action. The software has added compatibility for large format printing. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Books on the button.
February 2, 2006... Delphax's CR2000 continuous-feed monochrome digital output engine will be shown as part of a real-time digital book production workflow. The books produced will be donated to schools. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

In brief: Muller debuts Pantera.
February 2, 2006... Muller Martini will debut its 4,000 cycles per hour Pantera adhesive binder at Ipex. It will be shown in combination with the Esprit three- knife trimmer. The finishing firm will also feature the Orbit three- knife trimmer, which operates at...

In brief: Baldwin expands.
February 2, 2006... Baldwin is to launch its Flex Blanket Cleaning and Cleanliner systems at Ipex. The company, which makes blanket washing and fount filtration systems, is showcasing the products as part of a host of new developments. Copyright: CMP...

In brief: Artwork claim.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Artwork Systems claims to have produced the perfect solution to PDF editing with the launch of Neo. Jan Ruysschaert, UK managing director, said: "Neo gives the operator all the high-end editing and correction functionality in a native PDF...

In brief: Duplo design.
February 2, 2006... Duplo's focus on "profit through adaptability" is apparent in the unveiling of its DC-645 production finisher at Ipex. The JDF compatible product, which will also be displayed on the HP and Xerox stands, will produce greetings cards as part of...

In brief: Ipex sees Efi first.
February 2, 2006... Ipex will be the first trade show to see Efi showcasing superwide digital inkjet printer solutions from Vutek. In addition Efi's Fiery servers will be present at Canon, Konica Minolta, Oce and Xerox booths. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Creo's digital debut.
February 2, 2006... Anna Mitchell Creo has expanded its digital colour server offering to users of HP printing equipment after signing an exclusive agreement with the digital manufacturer. The company, part of Kodak's Graphic Communications Group, has...

Xerox meets and Greetz at Ipex.
February 2, 2006... Xerox will use Ipex to host displays for its partners' products including the personalised greetings cards service by Dutch firm Venspro. Venspro will demonstrate the Greetz online greetings card service that allows customers to customise...

Screen to up the quality of variable with TruePress Jet520.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Screen claimed it would unveil a variable inkjet system combining high-volume printing at a quality level that "far exceeds" what is currently available. The TruePress Jet520 prints 420pp colour pages or 64m a minute. The continuous...

LEGAL NOTICES: Compulsory winding up.
February 2, 2006... The following cases are due to be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL: Bizarre Print Ltd ,1 High Street, Guildford, Surrey GU2 4HP on 8 February at 10.30am. Petition by Henry Ling Ltd County Print & Envelopes...

LEGAL NOTICES: Appointment of liquidators.
February 2, 2006... Mediapix Ltd Printing. Liquidator: IP Sykes, Begbies Traynor, 2-3 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1EE Serif Print Ltd Screen printers. Liquidator: IW Kings, Tenon Recovery, Tenon House, Ferryboat Lane, Sunderland SR5 3JN ...

LEGAL NOTICES: Appointment of administrators.
February 2, 2006... JW Arrowsmith Ltd Typesetting, printing and binding of books and journals. Administrators: KW Touhey, Chantry Vellacott DFK, 16-17 Boundary Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 4AN and KA Murphy, Chantry Vellacott DFK, Russell Square House, 10-12...

LEGAL NOTICES: Appointment of administrative receivers.
February 2, 2006... Highbury House Communications plc, Highbury Entertainment Ltd, Highbury Lifestyle Ltd Magazine publisher. Receivers: E Mills and R Bailey, Ernst & Young LLP, 1 More London Place, London SE1 2AF Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

White Horse colour crusade.
February 2, 2006... Simon Nias White Horse Press (Newbury) has upgraded its proofing capability under plans to achieve ISO-quality colour reproduction. Steve Greener, the company's joint managing director, said: "At White Horse Press, we are committed to...

Xerox produces results to copy.
February 2, 2006... Tom Hawkins XEROX increased profits in the last quarter of 2005, thanks to tight cost control - despite a drop in revenue. The digital printer manufacturer posted an 18 per cent increase in net income for the fourth quarter of 2005....

Norton out of the process.
February 2, 2006... Norton Print has stepped into the world of processless plates with a Topsetter 74 ctp system. It was installed at the Nottingham firm in December and has been running since last month. Norman Wormall, partner, said the move to...

NEWS AT A GLANCE: Stockton-on-Tees.
February 2, 2006... Alphagraphics Alphagraphics is to double in size. The firm has been based at Preston Farm since 2001 but recently taken over the adjoining building, increasing capacity from 11,500 sq ft to 21,500 sq ft. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd....

NEWS AT A GLANCE: Manchester and Stockport.
February 2, 2006... Cheadle Heath Works Cheadle Heath Works, Stockport, has won the #158,000 contract to print white casework file covers for the Home Office. WRH Marketing WRH Marketing has opened a satellite office in Delph, Greater Manchester. Lee...

NEWS AT A GLANCE: Rotherham.
February 2, 2006... Garnett Dickinson Garnett Dickinson Print prepares for move to #20m factory at Brookfields Park, north Rotherham. John Hubbard, former Wyndeham Hubbard managing director, joins in a business development role. Horner Brothers ...

NEWS AT A GLANCE: Cardiff.
February 2, 2006... Trinity Mirror The Welsh capital will get its own version of `Metro' next month, as will Liverpool. The titles will be written and produced in London, printed and distributed by Trinity Mirror in Cardiff and Liverpool. Copyright: CMP...

To the barricades: the revolution is here.
February 2, 2006... Advertisers are flocking to the web. But, asks Michael Willoughby, for how long can the print industry survive such an onslaught? It's not easy getting an exclusive, as Adam Nagourney, senior political reporter on `The New York Times' for...

Online classifieds craze.
February 2, 2006... Craigslist The man credited with starting the craze for online classifiedsis San Franciscan, Craig Newmark (pictured). His Craigslist, with its free postings is accused of costing newspapers in the Bay area $50-65m (#28-36m) in job...

COMMENT: Nimmo saga is a cautionary tale.
February 2, 2006... There has been a rather unpleasant saga going on in Edinburgh. You may have seen the story about William Nimmo, an old name in Scottish printing. The receivers KPMG became involved on the 29 December and sold the assets of the printer to its...

LETTER: Pat on the back for new-look `Printing World'.(Letter to the Editor)
February 2, 2006... I WISH TO COMPLIMENT `Printing World' on two matters; readability and benchmarking. I am very impressed with the readability of `Printing World' as well as the fonts used. Having read lots of research on this subject and the issues of...

Credit checks can clip the wings of a phoenix.
February 2, 2006... I DON'T THINK IT'S POSSIBLE to produce a short and snappy definition of a `phoenix company', simply because - as your excellent article `Hot off the Press', (`Printing World', 26 January) makes clear - the question is not a simple one. As...

Industry must take steps towards a greener world.
February 2, 2006... Environmental information can make businesses a more attractive supplier than competitors A number of businesses in the printing sector have until recently been obliged to comply with an EU directive entitled `The Operating and Finance...

With freedom comes responsibility for local authority inplants.
February 2, 2006... It is the best of times and the worst of times for local authority in- house printers. The best of times because our hands have finally be freed to allow us to fight back against the private sector, but with that comes the responsibility...

Tameside shows how in-house operations can turn a profit.
February 2, 2006... The points made by Chris Steward are strong ones and should be noted industry-wide. The reason for suggesting this has been prompted by my participation at a seminar hosted by Agfa at its Leeds plate production facility. The title of the...

Weighing up the cost of debt.
February 2, 2006... The Small Claims Court is simple to use, fair, and could be a way to resolve a troublesome debt, says Cheryl O'Brien The effect of a bad debt on a business can be terminal. This is illustrated by the results of a study by the Institute of...

TECHNOLOGY: High maintenance.
February 2, 2006... Larry Burke advocates a regular maintenance programme for your processor in order to maximise productivity and reduce downtime Computer to plate systems have been around for a number of years, yet there remain reliability and quality...

TECHNOLOGY: Printmaster 52.
February 2, 2006... Success of the Printmaster 52 has come in spite of early launch nerves, says Robin Meade IN 2003 HEIDELBERG UNVEILED THE Printmaster 52, a scaled down version of the Speedmaster 52 or a step up from the venerable GTO, depending on how you...

TECHNOLOGY: Is there a pattern to the sales.
February 2, 2006... Heidelberg has gained from piggyback sales of ctp devices and other bundling packages. While the supplier maintains that acquiring ctp is an ongoing process at this level in the market, PM 52 customers stepping up from the 46cm format described...

TECHNOLOGY: How much does the PM52 cost?(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Cunningham chairman The Printmaster 52 has a list price of between #70,000 for the basic 2- unit machine up to #400,000 for the automated 5-colour perfector. The Printmaster against a GTO is about 50 per cent dearer. Against the SM52...

TECHNOLOGY: Relationship therapy.
February 2, 2006... The trend to shorter runs has led many to invest in customer relationship management packages to close more sales, reports Nessan Cleary Maintaining good relationships with your customers makes good business sense, whether it's simply...

MANAGEMENT EXPERT: Image is everything.
February 2, 2006... Reg Peplow suggests that profits can be boosted faster by creating the right impression There is a story circulating in Whitehall about a politician's wife who was interviewed by the police after a tradesman who had entered her house to...

INSTANT EXPERT: Poles apart.
February 2, 2006... Fontographer and FontLab Studio are at opposite ends of the spectrum, says Andy Benedek Font creation: the two applications are described as `simple and intuitive' as well as `powerful but complex' Fontographer - the application that...

INSTANT EXPERT: Blanket coverage.
February 2, 2006... How do you get the best out of your blankets? Matthew Hunt of Duco explains Correct set up of a printing blanket can do wonders for the quality and consistency of print job, but what actually constitutes the correct set up? Is the way a...

Duco details.(Duco International Ltd)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Duco is an amalgam of two of the most famous names in blanket manufacturing: Dunlop Graphic Products and Cow Proofings and the group has a history going back over 100 years. It has over 60 different blankets in its range with a full...

Big interview: Andy Franks.
February 2, 2006... Last year publishing giant Emap reviewed its printing partners. What do the results - announced last week - mean for UK printers? Andy Franks, Emap's production director speaks to `Printing World' Q: What was the driver for the review? ...

SALES & MARKETING: Sheets ahead.
February 2, 2006... Anything you can do, sheetfed can do better, says Michael Willoughby The magazine industry cannot get enough of gravure printing. Cheaper, long-run magazines are in the ascendant, with News International's new `real life' title `Love...

Lords rejects recycled paper.
February 9, 2006... House of Lords deems eco-friendly paper "not of sufficient quality" Richard Heap ANGRY PRINTERS HAVE hit out at a decision by the House of Lords to reject recycled paper despite widespread use of the eco-friendly grade in central...

NJP gets thumbs up for second super site option.
February 9, 2006... Michael Willoughby NJP has been given the green light to build its planned #40m print works in Ellough, Norfolk, but the company is yet to settle on a final location. Waveney District Council gave approval for the development last...

Amicus ready for Valentine's Brussels battle.
February 9, 2006... Richard Heap Amicus is gearing up for a Valentine's Day battle in Brussels to protect pay levels for UK workers. The union is teaming up with other European worker organisations on 14 February to demonstrate against the proposed...

In brief: Glasgow City Council seeks partners.
February 9, 2006... Glasgow City Council seeks partners to provide print services from single to full-colour litho process, digital and heat set web or equivalent. The contract is worth #2m per annum. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

In brief: Damages for Goss.
February 9, 2006... US courts have upheld $35m (#20m) in damages for Goss International against Japanese press manufacturer TKS,which was found to have flooded the American market with unfairly priced press equipment. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Quebecor clinches Corby survival deal.
February 9, 2006... Tom Hawkins Quebecor signalled its commitment to the UK market this week after brokering a cost-cutting deal with Amicus. The Canadian printing giant agreed a package worth #6m with the union at its Corby plant that includes an order...

Allander warms to thermal.
February 9, 2006... Edinburgh printer Allander has switched from violet to thermal ctp in a prepress package deal with Heidelberg. The company has installed a Suprasetter 74 with ImageControl colour management. The #400,000 package also included Heidelberg's...

NI courts Telegraph with production offer.
February 9, 2006... News International, owner of 'The Times', has made overtures to use its planned increased press capacity at Waltham Cross to print rival `The Daily Telegraph'. The offer has been made under the shadow of a pending legal spat between the...

Nixon joins CTD rivals.
February 9, 2006... Former CTD operations director Andy Nixon has joined rival report & accounts printer Impressions. Nixon took control of production operations at the Chessington firm on 30 January. He will have direct responsibility for the press room...

On-site publishing services.
February 9, 2006... Kodak will be providing on-site publishing services for the Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Italy this week. The firm's Graphic Communications Group will help produce fast turnround, personalised materials at the Games using a Nexpress 2100...

St Ives in cost-cutting talks after Emap blow.
February 9, 2006... St Ives has entered into talks with Amicus at its Peterborough web offset plant to manage the impact of the loss of work from Emap. Management from the listed company will meet with Amicus representatives tomorrow to thrash out a 20-point...

In brief: ArtSystems is HP choice.
February 9, 2006... ArtSystems has been chosen as wholesale partner for HP's outdoor large format printer market. The Nottingham firm has also introduced two laminators to its Xativa series: the Tempest 1600 and Tornado 1080 and 1600. Copyright: CMP...

In brief: DS Smith fined for death.
February 9, 2006... DS Smith Packaging was fined #75,000 after admitting failure to ensure the safety of Colin Blades, who became trapped in machinery in August 2004. Blades died almost instantly after 630lbs of pressure hit him as he tried to clear a blockage...

In brief: Monarch's new machine.
February 9, 2006... Monarch Indexing has invested in a second fully automatic index cutting machine. The company says the fully automatic line allows it to be more competitive on price. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

M-real's UK sites given green light.
February 9, 2006... M-real's UK paper mills have been awarded Chain of Custody certification from FSC and PEFC. The Finnish company's New Thames and Sittingbourne mills proved that wood used in the manufacturing process is from documented sources and contains...