Printing World articles from March 2006

Printing World archives from March 2006

Quebecor shakes up web market with KBA double.
March 2, 2006... Multimillion pound revamp at Corby intensifies competition in UK mag sector Michael Willoughby Web offset Printers WILL have to brace themselves against even fiercer market competition after Quebecor cemented its UK investment plans....

Top marks for Canon as it lands #1.2m AQA deal.
March 2, 2006... Michael Willoughby Canon has scooped a #1.2m deal to supply exam body the Assessment & Qualifications Alliance (AQA) with digital printing presses. The largest unitary awarding body in the UK is currently installing the seven IR150s on...

`Phonies' trick one in four.
March 2, 2006... Over a quarter of businesses in the UK have been hit with bad debt from `phoney' phoenix companies. A survey carried out by the Better Payment Practice Group (BPPG) revealed that more liberal rules introduced in the revised Enterprise Act...

Trouble at Brand.
March 2, 2006... Tough trading conditions and overseas competition have forced Brand Packaging to call in administrators. The flexible packaging firm from Pendleton, Salford, has appointed Brian Green and Paul Flint from KPMG Corporate Recovery, Manchester,...

BMS snaps up assets of failed TTB.(Bindery Machinery Services)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2006... Bindery Machinery Services has snatched the assets of the failed TTB Group. The second-hand dealer bought the kit from Close Asset Finance for approximately #300,000 last week. The equipment includes 40 machines which are currently...

Heidelberg boost for shorter runs.
March 2, 2006... Mark Foxwell Heidelberg has unveiled an inking technology designed to boost short run offset jobs among a package of technology developments which is scheduled for launch at Ipex. The German manufacturer will use the exhibition to...

ProSkills seeks government help.
March 2, 2006... ProSkills is to lobby the government with an urgent plea to help avert the training crisis facing the printing industry. Richard Bloxam, a spokesperson for the Sector Skills Council, said ProSkills will represent industry training bodies,...

#4m deal gains Preson reprieve.
March 2, 2006... Goss International is poised to win a #4m deal that could give its Preston site a stay of execution. A fortnight ago Goss revealed that 236 jobs are threatened by plans to move manufacturing from its Preston site to France or the US....

Avad wants the Lynx effect.
March 2, 2006... Stationery firm Avad Group has made moves into the full-colour printing market after buying a 60 per cent stake in B2 firm Lynx DPM. The Northolt, Middlesex, group acquired the majority share holding in Lynx DPM for an undisclosed sum. ...

Mondi poised for London Stock Exchange float.
March 2, 2006... MONDI, the Paper and packaging group is to be floated on the London Stock Exchange. The move is part of a wider restructuring by Mondi's parent company Anglo American, which is focusing on its core mining operations. Analysts value the...

Nova's a star as it packs up EDF deal.
March 2, 2006... Nova Direct Mail has won a #3m fulfilment contract with EDF Energy for up to four years. The firm in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, secured the order after expanding into a 24,000 sq ft facility last year. Andy Fry, NDM's managing...

Agfa gets Energy boost to impress.
March 2, 2006... Tom Hawkins Agfa has unveiled plans to replace its Thermostar P970 plate with a new range being launched at Ipex 2006. The Energy plate range, which includes Energy Marathon and Energy Elite, produces run lengths from 150,000...

Augustus row with Amicus.
March 2, 2006... Augustus Martin has hit back at Amicus claims that three workers have been targeted for redundancy because of their union involvement. The firm in Bromley-by-Bow, East London, initially said it would be making four redundancies before...

bezier pickets conference.
March 2, 2006... A BIZARRE bezier protest greeted visitors to a marketing conference last week. The in-store print specialists used life-sized point-of-purchase units to picket Earls Court in London. The company, which prints for clients such as Boots...

In brief: Display offer.
March 2, 2006... McNaughton Printall, the display division of McNaughton Paper, is launching a promotion next month: buy any four rolls of MACtac's IMAGin JT5000 vinyls and receive a roll of LF3000 Over-laminate free. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

In brief: UPM boost.
March 2, 2006... Finnish paper company UPM has announced it will not be charged with anti-trust activities in the US labelstock industry and has full immunity about possible price fixing on magazine paper. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Wyndeham wins prepress provider.(Icon Reproduction)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2006... Michael Willoughby Wyndeham plans to roll out common technology across its prepress companies following the #2m acquisition of Icon Reproduction. The listed printing group snapped up Icon on27 February in a deal funded by a mix of...

Mind your PQQs for Olympics.
March 2, 2006... Printers face losing out in the race for 2012 Olympic contracts if they don't show they meet requirements in questionnaires. The warning over the pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) came from Ruth Brothwell, supply chain manager at...

Imex goes for Komori as it bids to double turnover in two years.
March 2, 2006... Imex has finalised a #500,000 press upgrade in a bid to bring up to #350,000 in outsourced work back inhouse. The Swansea full service design and marketing company will install a Komori Lithrone 528 with coater in April. The press...

Amcor may wield the axe on 300 jobs.
March 2, 2006... Amcor Flexibles could axe over 300 jobs following a review of the packaging firm's European operations. Amcor last week released details of a restructuring plan, which includes the proposed closure of AF Colodense in Bristol and AF...

Cambrian plans #2.5m for battle.
March 2, 2006... Simon Nias Cambrian Printers has set aside #2.5m to spend on press and finishing equipment at Ipex in a bid to fight competition from Eastern Europe and China. The Aberystwyth firm is looking at press replacements under plans to...

Canon in large format moves.
March 2, 2006... Canon is making bold moves into the large format sector by reducing prices and introducing a third device. The Japanese manufacturer has introduced the A2 desktop format imagePROGRAF iPF5000, cementing its desire to become a viable...

ONS shows prices continue to plummet but costs still on the rise.
March 2, 2006... Printers dropped prices in January by the largest monthly amount for over two years. The industry cut prices by 0.3 per cent between December and January, despite costs of raw materials creeping up 0.3 per cent over the same period. ...

CP Bourg to join super Cooper.
March 2, 2006... CP Bourg has bolsted its portfolio of bookletmakers with an innovative launch planned for Ipex on the stand of distributor Terry Cooper Services. The SBM4 heavy duty modular bookletmaker is a flat sheet stitch, fold and trim unit, which...

Bobst finds solution with 102 and 106.
March 2, 2006... Rod Hayes Bobst will be putting on a powerful integrated display of die-cutting and packaging tools in April. The showcase is scheduled to include the SPeria Foilmaster 102. This unit handles a B1 sheet and can be set up to cross over...

Heidelberg debuts saddlestitcher and binder.
March 2, 2006... Heidelberg will DEBUT a pair of machines at the NEC, namely the Stitchmaster ST 450 saddlestitcher and Eurobind 4000 perfect binder. Heidelberg claims that the ST 450 can process untrimmed paper formats of 85mm x 128mm up to 320mm x 480mm...

In brief: Manufacturers get reel.
March 2, 2006... Carton packaging buyers will be able to save on shoe leather at the NEC, as BHS/Gallus and Mendel will pool efforts to show single pass production from reel to finished box in hall 1. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Presstek makes "breakthrough".(DI press)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2006... Michael Willoughby PRESSTEK HAS RELEASED a landscape format DI press. The firm believes the Presstek 52DI represents a "breakthrough" for commercial printers. The machine will be the first produced under the company's own brand...

Paxman chairs industry forum.
March 2, 2006... Tom Hawkins Jeremy Paxman, the hard-nosed broadcast journalist, will moderate a panel of leading executives at a debate on the future of the printing industry at Ipex. The event is being co-ordinated by Xerox and will feature the...

Leowork table takes the strain out of lifting.(Leowork table)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2006... Rod Hayes Duplo is to demonstrate a cost-saving method for moving paper around a print factory. At Ipex the supplier will be showing off the mobile Leowork table, produced by Ideal - the German ancillary equipment manufacturer. ...

Experts are nailing down file quality.(Institute of Quality Assurance)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2006... Tom Hawkins Adobe, Epson, Fujifilm and Kodak have joined forces with the Institute of Quality Assurance (IQA) in a bid to improve digital file quality. The partners have developed a set of guidelines for handling digital images....

OTW gets closer to POS.
March 2, 2006... OTW Imaging has made a decisive step towards the point-of-purchase market by investing in a Durst Rho 205/16 wide format digital printer. Before acquiring the new machine only one per cent of the Norwich printing company's output was...

Horne goes Unlimited.(Unlimited swatch displays)(Brief Article)
March 2, 2006... Robert Horne customers have been given a quick and easy in-depth exploration of its complete graphic and carton board offerings. The Northampton paper, plastic and board merchant has created the Unlimited swatch so that customers can access...

In brief: Vio to consult on colour.
March 2, 2006... Vio will advise firms about colour management after entering into agreements with colour and proofing firms Remote Proofing Solutions and Targetcolour in a venture called Vio Colour Consulting. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

In brief: Evonprint expands.
March 2, 2006... Evonprint from Small Dole, West Sussex, is extending production with its second long perfector (Heidelberg Speedmaster 74-8P) and new saddlestitcher (Stitchmaster ST 100). Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

In brief: Xerox widens horizons.
March 2, 2006... Xerox is set to push for wide format business with its 6204 Monochrome entry-level digital system, aimed at architects' practices, construction companies and engineers. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Concept high on HP 5000.
March 2, 2006... Michael Willoughby Concept Digital has invested in an HP Indigo 5000 to break into the magazine sector. The glossies in question are short-run, personalised magazines for corporate events and private parties with a maximum print run of...

KAPs off to green award winners.
March 2, 2006... Kent Art Printers beat stiff competition from multinationals such as Sainsbury's to scoop top honours in two categories at London's Liveable City Environmental Awards on 22 February. The family-run firm (ISO 14001 accredited), won in the...

LEGAL NOTICES: Compulsory winding up.
March 2, 2006... The following cases are due to be heard at Bristol District Registry, The Guildhall, Small Street, Bristol Big Media Publications Ltd, Roundhay Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS8 5AN on 8 March at 10.00am. Petition by Revenue and Customs ...

LEGAL NOTICES: Appointment of administrators.
March 2, 2006... Ardent Media Ltd (t/a Jaguar Heritage Magazine) Publisher. Administrator: AJ Clark, Carter Clark, Meridian House, 62 Station Road, North Chingford, London E4 7BA AB Graphics (Slough) Ltd Printing. Administrator: AT Clay, Andrew Michaels &...

LEGAL NOTICES: Appointment of liquidators.
March 2, 2006... Caer Holdings Ltd Previous company name Cameo Holdings Ltd Holding company, Caerprint Ltd Printers. Liquidator: RG Mullins, Benedict Mackenzie, CityPoint, Temple Gate, Bristol BS1 6PL Essex Print Ltd Printers. Liquidator: DR Beat, Tenon...

LEGAL NOTICES: Meeting of creditors.
March 2, 2006... Grafix Digital Ltd at ThorntonRones, First Floor, 167 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 4LF on 9 March at 1.00pm Toucan Screenprint Ltd at David Horner & Co, 11 Clifton Moor Business Village, James Nicolson Link, York YO30 4XG on 9 March at...

LEGAL NOTICES: Final meetings.
March 2, 2006... 4 U Printing Ltd at Cornfield Law LLP, 47 Cornfield Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4QN on 21 March at 11.30am Astro Print Ltd at Tait Walker, Bulman House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3LS on 4 April at 10.45am for...

News at a glance: South Wales.
March 2, 2006... The National Council for Education and Training in Wales in Caerphilly is looking for publishers to translate five titles from English to Welsh. For more information contact Lewis Crandon, procurement officer via email on...

NEWS ANALYSIS - PHOENIX: The phoenix code.
March 2, 2006... How do you sort `phony' phoenixes from genuine business failures? Printing World's experts have defined a checklist, reports Tom Hawkins The phoenix problem is often one of semantics. The word has been boiled down, simplified and reduced...

COMMENT: Give staff a say in how things shape up.
March 2, 2006... The work place these days is often characterised by a pseudo sense of chumminess. The boss will pride himself on being on first name terms with everyone, knows when a new baby is due and at every opportunity the staff will be eulogised as...

LETTER: Quote price not right.(Letter to the Editor)
March 2, 2006... I am from a company called Events Armoury Print Services in Edinburgh and we were surprised to see ourselves mentioned in the mystery shopper article, `Mystery Shopper - Edinburgh' (`Printing World', 23 February). The article was very...

LETTER: Get motivated at BAPC event.(Letter to the Editor)
March 2, 2006... I would be grateful if I could use your columns to let readers know that planning for this year's BAPC conference is already well advanced. I am delighted to advise that Jeff Tobe, one the best motivational speakers in the US, has agreed...

COMMENT: Institutional apathy.
March 2, 2006... TOP DOWN WITH TONY WHITE, CHAIRMAN, INSTITUTE OF PAPER, PRINTING AND PUBISHING One hundred years ago there were several professional Institutes for the printing industry. Today one can count on the fingers of one hand those that are...

COMMENT: Shooting for the top jobs.
March 2, 2006... GRASS ROOTS WITH RON PIDGEON, EDITOR OF `PACKAGING' MAGAZINE IF you could choose between being appointed the next England football manager, or the chief executive of one of Britain's biggest packaging groups, what would you decide? ...

TECHNOLOGY - REVISIT: Roland 200E.
March 2, 2006... A series of developments have made this German press an attractive option, according to Robin Meade The Roland 200 is not a pretty sight. Despite its small footprint, the outline is bulky, giving the impression of a rugged machine for...

TECHNOLOGY - REVISIT: Specifications.
March 2, 2006... Modular design The MAN Roland 200E is a B2 press that is modular in design and available in up to five colours. Equipped with double-diameter impression cylinders and MAN Roland's transferter system that eliminates marking. ...

TECHNOLOGY - REVISIT: What impact can it make?
March 2, 2006... Mark Plowman, managing director of Tamworth-based large format and commercial printer KEP, has bought three Roland 200s, upgrading to a 5- colour version. The new-generation 200 took the company into litho to complement its long-standing...

TECHNOLOGY - ENERGY: Firms burning money as power prices soar.
March 2, 2006... It makes sense to cut energy costs, report Rod Hayes and Fleur Priestley Soaring energy prices will squeeze the UK's print industry unless companies take action to cut their energy usage. Variable costs account for around 15-20 per...

TECHNOLOGY - IPEX FINISHING: At the finishing line.(Ipex 2006)(raphic Arts Equipment)
March 2, 2006... Robin Meade predicts a stampede at this Ipex 2006, as printers put efficiencies in finishing at the very top of their shopping list Finishing will come under intense scrutiny at Ipex, more perhaps than during the last four or five...

TECHNOLOGY - IPEX FINISHING: Cutting and Creasing.(Brief Article)
March 2, 2006... A new high-speed three-knife trimmer is to be launched worldwide by Muller Martini(hall 5 stand D10). The Orbit is fully automated with SmartPress and trimming technology for speeds up to 7,200cph. GAE (hall 4 stand D60) will show the...

TECHNOLOGY - IPEX FINISHING: All sorts of binders.
March 2, 2006... A world premiere in the hardcover segment will be shown by Muller Martini (hall 5 stand D10). The Diamant 30 short-run book line is a fully automated 30-cycle book line for companies entering the hardcover sector. It is based on the 60-cycle...

TECHNOLOGY - IPEX FINISHING: Bookletmaking.(Watkiss Automation )(Brief Article)
March 2, 2006... Watkiss Automation (Hall 3 stand C62) will launch a new binder, the PowerSquare 200, for book making digital print with stitching, folding, spine forming and trimming. The machine handles up to 200pp and can be set for different book sizes. ...

TECHNOLOGY - IPEX FINISHING: Packaging and converting.
March 2, 2006... Heidelberg (halls 7 & 8) will show the Diana X 450m/minute folder- gluer,which was first demonstrated in prototype at Drupa. It is now commercially available in widths of 115cm and 135cm. The Diana X has servo drives for every unit and the...

LEARNING ZONE - BUSINESS: Understanding your market.
March 2, 2006... Reg Peplow poses a surprisingly tricky question: `What business are you in?' As we approach the days of yellow daffodils and new born lambs, now could be a good time for you to examine your business and your marketing strategy, and so...

LEARNING ZONE - DELIVERY: Watch out for the road runner.
March 2, 2006... Simon Nias spends a day on the road with lead driver Jo Campbell of Antalis Delivery driving, like the printing industry, is very much a male- dominated industry. Jo Campbell however, doesn't mind being seen as a woman in a man's world....

Big interview: Valentin Govaerts.(Graphic Arts Industry)(Interview)
March 2, 2006... Valentin Govaerts, senior vice president, Graphic Arts Industry, Xerox Europe, has seen his business transform since he joined the company 23 years ago. He spoke to Tom Hawkins Q: when you joined xerox your job title was systems analyst....

SALES & MARKETING: Home economics.
March 2, 2006... Richard Heap asks how can firms keep their heads above water as financial pressures hit them from all angles Margins are under greater pressure than ever before. As well as the squeeze on pricing, printers are being forced to absorb the...

HH in #123m Euro haul.
March 9, 2006... Surrey firm poised to grow UK print roster Mark Foxwell HH Associates IS LOOKING TOexpand its UK printer base by 20 per cent after securing major print management contracts worth #123m in Europe this year. The Surrey firm has...

Heidelberg abandons DI in favour of anilox inking.
March 9, 2006... Michael Willoughby Heidelberg has sounded the death knell for its DI press format, further emphasising the manufacturer's focus on the sheetfed market. The firm has ended production of the QM DI 46-4 and Speedmaster 74DI. It said...

Printers in #8m battle for Welsh work.
March 9, 2006... Printers are battling it out to secure a slice of a major #8m print contract for councils across north Wales. Public bodies in eight Welsh councils are to be covered by a new two- year print framework. The agreement is worth #4m each...

Garnett's #4m to equip new home.
March 9, 2006... Mark Foxwell The Garnett Dickinson Group has followed up its #20m premises move with a #4m injection to boost litho and digital capacity. The South Yorkshire firm has invested in a MAN Roland Rotoman 5-colour 16pp web press to be...

MPs join mail price battle.
March 9, 2006... FORTY MPs have made alast-ditch appeal to the postal regulator to reverse proposals to scrap price control for second class magazine delivery. They signed an Early Day Motion calling for Postcomm to pull back from removing Presstream 2...

Cooper says 45 to go.
March 9, 2006... Cooper Clegg has confirmed it will cut 45 jobs at its Tewkesbury plant after mothballing two presses. The firm, which recently lost Hachette Filipacchi titles `Sugar' and `Elle Decoration' to Polestar, said the capacity reduction was in...

In brief: Mayer-Kuvert network in talks.
March 9, 2006... Mayer-Kuvert-network is in talks to buy Antalis UK's envelope factories in Dyce, Aberdeen, and Dagenham, Essex. James McNaughton and Premier Paper have secured PEFC Chain of Custody Certification. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Rescue plan may save BGP plant.
March 9, 2006... Tom Hawkins More than half the jobs at BGP's Colchester site could be saved after new management brokered a rescue package with Amicus this week. The deal is in its early stages, but it is understood that an "agreement in principle"...

Strike threat at Inverurie.
March 9, 2006... A row over pay has left International Paper's Inverurie mill facing the threat of a strike. Over 200 Amicus members at the Aberdeenshire site are voting on whether to take industrial action after failing to negotiate a revised pay...

Firms going hi-tech to meet digital challenge.
March 9, 2006... PRINTERS are embracing new print technologies to combat the rise of digital media. Nick Stagg, sales director at St Michael's Press, said: "It may seem counter-intuitive, but we embrace it (digital displays) since we benefit from other...

Horton gears up for more colour work.
March 9, 2006... Horton Print has purchased a Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46 and added digital equipment to meet demand for short-run work. The Heidelberg press replaces one of the firm's two existing second- hand Quickmasters. In addition, Horton has leased...

Pillans boss quits before bank deal.
March 9, 2006... Mark Foxwell Pillans and Waddies' managing director has quit prior to the Edinburgh firm finalising its financial restructuring plans. Gordon Samson is to leave the company to pursue other interests just two weeks before parent company...

INK falls after `poor standards'.
March 9, 2006... INK, formerly part of the Howitt Group, has collapsed leaving 22 staff out of work. The #2m turnover Guernsey printer closed on 27 February, blaming poor trading conditions. Angry workers said they were appalled by comments made by...

First C4 issue from St Ives.
March 9, 2006... St Ives has printed the first issue of Channel 4 branded "4homes" for Media 10. The 196pp perfect bound title with embossed front cover was produced at Roche with an initial print run in excess of 200,000. St Ives will also handle direct mail...

Bid talk binned.
March 9, 2006... Communisis has put an end to continued takeover speculation while delivering a mixed set of annual results. The Leeds print management company's 2005 annual report said despite talking to potential buyers there were no acceptable bids, and...

Dickinson employees are in the firing line.
March 9, 2006... Approximately 210 employees are in the firing line at stationery manufacturer John Dickinson's plant in Sawston, Cambridgeshire, after a strategic review. The company, which is owned by Groupe Hamelin, proposed the closure of the site and...

Ambitious Potts scoops an Agfa first.
March 9, 2006... Potts Printers has installed the UK's first Avalon LF-Violet B1 platesetter from Agfa. The North Shields company placed an order for the machine, from dealer Inkland, on the day it was launched on 22 February. Shaun Currie, managing...

Beijing in a 3-D demo.(Beijing Founder Electronics )(Brief article)
March 9, 2006... Beijing Founder Electronics plans to launch a 3-D packaging design software at Ipex. The company is demonstrating a prototype version of the ePack 4.0 CAD design package. The technology uses drag and drop functionality to create 3-D...

Ryobi speeds up makeready.
March 9, 2006... Mark Foxwell Ryobi will reveal its first fully automated plate changer for the Ryobi 750 Series presses at Ipex. The Full-RPC, which is to be distributed in the UK by Apex Digital Graphics, will be shown on a 758P eight-colour...

Oce's Dutch treat for graphic arts sector.
March 9, 2006... Oce will ratchet up the pressure in the colour continuous feed sector at Ipex, with a demonstration of 3/3 printing. The Dutch supplier said the enhanced technology, shown on the VarioStream 9230, is part of plans to introduce full process...

In brief: Prism compatibility.
March 9, 2006... Prism Europe will demonstrate JDF interoperability between the latest Prism-WIN, version 1903, and LithoTechnics' Metrix 2.0 layout calculator. Prism will also feature Prism-WIN SBE, designed for small to medium-sized businesses, and Prism-QTMS...