The Printer's Alley

Muller Martini at drupa 2012

2012-01-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

Muller Martini Prepares for drupa 2012

Muller Martini to present the world premiere of solutions for a changing market under the motto “one world – one drupa” at the leading print and media industry tradeshow held from May 3rd - 16th in Dusseldorf.

At its 22,000-plus square-foot booth, Muller Martini will showcase ten machines representing all of its business divisions: variable size web-offset printing presses, saddle stitchers, perfect binders, hardcover systems, newspaper mailroom systems, as well as systems for modern digital book production. With hybrid solutions for digital finishing, Muller Martini is focusing on smart process solutions for existing and new markets.

Commented Bruno Muller, CEO of Muller Martini, “Developing exciting new technologies for the digital market, as well as continuing to offer innovative, automated solutions within the traditional book binding space, are integral to our customers’ success – and to our own. But equally important is Muller’s commitment to the life cycle management of the machines and technology we’ve already developed. Our customers can depend on us for that as well.”

With solutions from Muller Martini, printing houses and finishing companies can position themselves successfully in a changing market environment and stand out from their competition with a new flexibility and efficiency. Highest standards of quality, state-of-the-art technology, process automation and intelligent networking are the main elements that Muller Martini will be presenting at drupa 2012 in Hall 14, Booth C21.

ABOUT MULLER MARTINI

Muller Martini (www.mullermartiniusa.com) is the world’s largest producer of print finishing solutions for commercial and book printers, trade binderies, newspapers, and digital book manufacturers. They are also the world’s leading manufacturer of variable size web offset presses. Muller’s innovative workflow solutions optimize processing efficiencies, while helping to build new revenue streams. With U.S. headquarters in Hauppauge, New York, Muller’s sales and support team provides training and responsive service to printers and binderies nationwide.

What Apple Is Wading Into: A Snapshot Of The K-12 Textbook Business | paidContent

2012-01-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

Photo: Flickr / flickingerbrad

What Apple Is Wading Into: A Snapshot Of The K-12 Textbook Business | paidContent:

Here's a great article on the economics of the textbook business model from Laura Hazard Owen at paidcontent.org.

There is tremendous opportunity, but significant barriers as well.

Germany Goes Out of Print as Manroland Files for Insolvency - Bloomberg

2011-11-29T04:25:00.000-08:00

From Bloomberg.com

Manroland’s collapse highlights the threat to manufacturers as banks curtail financing of machinery that sells mainly to small and mid-sized customers. Manroland, whose machines typically cost more than $1 million, became the country’s largest corporate failure in two years, denting Germany’s resilience to the European debt crisis.
“Normally the next investment would be this year, but due to the crisis I am afraid to do it,” said Claude Vandevelde, who owns a business printing brochure, poster and packaging business in Kruishoutem,Belgium. “Going to the bank and asking for so much money is not so easy anymore.”

Read the whole thing here

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS ANNOUNCES “COMPREHENSIVE BACKLIST” PROMOTION FOR PHYSICAL BOOKSTORES USING THE ESPRESSO BOOK MACHINE

2011-09-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

Today's press release from Harper Collins highlights the push publishers are making to assure that their content is available everywhere, anytime in paper format.

"The ability to have available any book that our customers could possibly ask for is key to our vision of how to thrive in this challenging environment," said Jeffrey Mayersohn, Owner of Harvard Bookstore. "The HarperCollins partnership with On Demand Books brings us much closer to realizing that vision. This is great news for independent bookstores everywhere.""With HarperCollins making their titles available for the Espresso BookMachine, the original vision and full potential of the machine will begin to be realized. Thousands more titles will be directly available to my customers, and we will capture many, many sales which are currently lost," said Chris Morrow, Owner of Northshire Bookstore. "I hope other publishers see the potential of this sales channel and get on board. This can be a key element in the development of the bookstore of the future."

The printed book still offers value over and above the growing array of digital offerings of the same content.

Here's the video of the Expresso in operation

Muller Martini Sigma Trimming Center

2011-09-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

The Muller Martini Sigma Trimming Center made its World debut two weeks ago at GraphExpo. This device's unique trimming method provides for true one-off trimming in a medium to high volume production environment.

Here's a video of the demonstration from the show.

GraphExpo 2011

2011-09-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

If you couldn't make it to the Muller Martini booth at GraphExpo this year, here is the link to their YouTube channel with video highlights of equipment displayed at the show.

Muller Martini put on an impressive display of their newest products tailored for the rapidly emerging digital inkjet web technologies. Wider webs, faster speeds, and improved color fidelity will require more productive finishing solutions to keep up with these developments.

Drupa here we come!

Shown here is a clip of the Primera Digital stitching books from HP and Kodak preprinted rolls.

Muller Martini’s fully-automated SigmaTrimmer

2011-08-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

Muller Martini’s fully-automated SigmaTrimmer delivers commercial quality book trimming for the digital market

Graph Expo visitors to Booth #845 can “Connect with MM Digital” during the live demonstrations of this “Must See ‘Em” nominee.
Muller Martini’s SigmaTrimmer technology is designed for the finishing of both offset- and digitally-produced books in a one-off, short-, or large-run workflow. It is the only fully-automated, true one-off 3-knife trimmer available in today’s market. This ultra-efficient digital book trimming system also boasts zero makeready for optimal one-off book production.
Visitors to Muller Martini’s Booth #845 will experience a variety of the SigmaTrimmer’s powerful capabilities and features, including:

Industry-first zero makeready delivers true 1,000 fully variable books per hour.
Infinite trim variability within the machine specifications easily accommodates non-standard trim sizes.
Barcode technology enables real-time error-free data input and machine set-up, minimizing production delays.
A fixed-position knife station design with limited moving parts helps eliminate wear and provides high-end commercial trim quality.

Bindery professionals whose books are currently being trimmed on multiple inline trimmers, nearline trimmers or flatbed cutters should take special notice. This inefficient workflow can be consolidated and efficiently processed through one SigmaTrimmer work center without any additional production planning effort and with considerable labor savings. Bound, untrimmed books of varying sizes and thickness can be fed into the SigmaTrimmer continuously without stopping to change parts or key in any data.
The SigmaTrimmer is part of Muller Martini’s fully scalable SigmaLine technology, the world’s first commercial-quality and totally modular digital book manufacturing system. Scalable SigmaLine was honored with a “Must See ‘Em” award at last year’s Graph Expo. This year, the stand-alone SigmaTrimmer has been nominated for the same award.
Graph Expo takes place September 11-14, 2011 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Muller Martini engineers and experts will be on hand in Booth #845 to provide insight and ideas about how Muller’s innovative technology can help printers and binderies “Connect with MM Digital” and grow their businesses.

Muller Martini’s SigmaTrimmer delivers commercial quality book trimming for the digital market.

ABOUT MULLER MARTINI
Muller Martini (www.mullermartiniusa.com) is the world’s largest producer of print finishing solutions for commercial and book printers, trade binderies, newspapers, and digital book manufacturers. They are also the world’s leading manufacturer of variable size web offset presses. Muller’s innovative workflow solutions optimize processing efficiencies, while helping to build new revenue streams. With U.S. headquarters in Hauppauge, New York, Muller’s sales and support team provides training and responsive service to printers and binderies nationwide.

Quotes from Steve Jobs

2011-08-25T05:25:00.000-07:00

There will be acres of words written about Steve Jobs. All I can say is Thank You.

While not an obituary, this is a passing. Steve Jobs is stepping down as CEO of Apple. You may have heard of the company. His accomplishments are many, and he will be recognized as one of the most influential figures of the baby boom generation. For me, he is the stubborn man that overruled his design team and insisted his new music player have no buttons. The design team got one. Thus was the ipod born. If you need proof that one man and his vision can change the world, look no further than Steve Jobs.

Here are some of his quotes collected by Jennifer Valentio-DeVries on the Digits blog at WSJ.com. Some selections here:

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” [The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 1993]

“The only problem with Microsoft is they just have no taste. They have absolutely no taste. And I don’t mean that in a small way, I mean that in a big way, in the sense that they don’t think of original ideas, and they don’t bring much culture into their products.”

“I am saddened, not by Microsoft’s success — I have no problem with their success. They’ve earned their success, for the most part. I have a problem with the fact that they just make really third-rate products.” [Triumph of the Nerds, 1996]

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” [Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

Printing is a Green Sustainable Technology

2011-08-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

Despite the constant drumbeat that print is a wasteful, planet destroying technology, the facts are that printing and paper manufacturing are supported by the maintenance and expansions of forests that could otherwise be lost to other forms of development.

Finally, industry heavyweights are getting serious about countering the negative narratives regarding print technology. International Paper is making a major push to elevate the benefits of paper manufacture for reforestation, paper recycling and "green" manufacturing techniques. "Save a forest - Print Your Emails" is but one example of the new narrative.

A similar effort is being made by IP's paper distribution subsidiary Xpedx with a recent press release focusing on their recycling and waste reduction efforts.

Local and regional trade associations are also picking up with banner to promote printed media. Printing Industries of Georgia hosts Rediscoverprint.com to highlight the utility of print for memorable communications.

Check them out below:

Rediscoverprint.com

Amazon Extends its Reach Into the Publishers' Space

2011-08-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

The lines between printing, publishing, and distribution continue to blur.

Here's a good article from the New York Times outlining Amazon's efforts to increase their role as a publisher.

"Amazon has been publishing books for several years, but its efforts went up several notches in visibility when it brought in the longtime New York editor and agent Laurence Kirshbaum three months ago as head of Amazon Publishing. “I hope we can do some exciting, innovative things,” Mr. Kirshbaum said on Tuesday. “But I don’t want to overpromise.”

Or get his friends in the business worried. “Our success will only help the rest of publishing,” he said.

Traditional publishers do not necessarily believe that. Some are downright nervous about the intentions of Amazon, with its deep pockets and a unparalleled distribution system into tens of millions of living rooms and onto electronic devices.

Read the whole thing here

New Heidelberg Installations

2011-08-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

Customers Choose Fast, Productive Prepress, Press and Postpress Solutions from Heidelberg

08/05/2011

From the issuer's website

Kennesaw, Ga. - Heidelberg has announced the following new product installations:

Jay Ewy - President, Jeremy Payne – Pressroom Supervisor, Doug Hatfield – VP Operations
Details

Docuplex Expands into Half-Size Market with Speedmaster XL 75 from Heidelberg
On its Facebook page, Docuplex Graphics, Inc. of Wichita, KS likens its new Speedmaster XL 75 to a McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom jet: "A sturdy workhorse that can carry a load, pack a punch, exhibit tremendous flexibility and still set speed records."

It's an apt comparison, given that Docuplex will now be able to perform a variety of the larger-size format work in-house it previously outsourced, adding faster turnarounds and a measure of quality control to the company's capabilities. "In addition to the ability to accept larger-format jobs, we've also gained speed, productivity, and flexibility with respect to the paper stocks we can run," said company president Jay Ewy. Docuplex's pressroom upgrade dovetails nicely with its June 1 acquisition of Wichita-based PrintMaster, which also brought some half-size equipment to the combined company.

On the offset side, Docuplex has been a loyal Heidelberg customer since purchasing its first machine, a Printmaster GTO 52 in the early 2000s. Today, Docuplex also operates a 5-color Speedmaster SM 52 with aqueous coater, two Printmaster QM 46-2's, two POLAR 92 cutters with POLAR lift stacks, as well as USA B26 and USA B20 Stahlfolders, all from Heidelberg, in addition to digital elecrophotographic and grand-format digital inkjet equipment.

The Speedmaster XL75 features an extensive level of automation from feeder to delivery, fast plate changes with AutoPlate XL, program-controlled washup devices, Prinect Axis Control color measuring system, and the Prinect Press Center high-performance control station for Heidelberg presses featuring Intellistart navigation and integrated Wallscreen information center for the pressroom.

Established by Ewy and his late father Gerald in 1998, Docuplex Graphics is a family-owned, Wichita-based printing and graphics company serving small business, corporate and non-profit customers throughout Kansas and nationwide. The company offers a wide range of digital printing and mailing services, specialty advertising items, and large-format printing, including signs and banners. The company employs a staff of 30.

Printing Center USA Chooses Speedmaster SM 52 Anicolor
Online print provider Printing Center USA in Great Falls, MT recently installed a 4-color Speedmaster SM 52 press with Anicolor inking to supplement its pressroom capacity. However, in the month or so since the new press has been up and running, the Anicolor machine has done far more than supplement the company's sheetfed offset capabilities. In fact, reported company owner Craig Barber, the SM 52 machine already has assumed roughly 80-90 percent of the work -primarily short-run brochures and booklets-previously run on the company's existing Heidelberg MO half-size press.

"It's been a little over a month since we finished training and we're already twice as productive as we were," Barber said. "The 10-sheet makereadies are nothing short of amazing. My pressman is so happy he told me he'd have to start paying me to work here."

The Speedmaster SM 52's Anicolor short zoneless inking unit is designed to deliver consistent volumes of ink across the entire sheet using a format-size screen roller located between the chambered blade and the inking form roller. Ink volume is metered by adjusting the temperature of the screen roller. Anicolor inking cuts makeready times and enables the user to achieve time savings of up to 40 percent compared to conventional inking units, along with a 25 percent increase in press capacity.

In business as an online printer since 2002 but backed by 40 years' experience in commercial printing, Printing Center USA employs a staff of 20 and reports annual sales in the $4.5 million range. Additional Heidelberg equipment includes a pair of POLAR guillotine paper cutters.

Kirkwood Printing Adds Small-Format Folding Capacity
Kirkwood Printing Company in Wilmington, MA reports the installation of a 2-station, pile-fed USA B20 Stahlfolder from Heidelberg. According to COO Eddie Kelley, the new equipment boosts the company's postpress small-format folding capacity and is used to fold a variety of high-quality, commercially printed materials produced for its high-end retail, fine arts and educational clients.

The new folder joins a full-service postpress lineup that also includes four more 26x40" Stahlfolders, and a pair of 54" POLAR paper cutters. The company's pressroom is home to two Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 presses-an 8-color and a 6-color-as well as a 6-color Speedmaster SM 102 perfector, while a thermal Suprasetter 105 MCL with Prinect workflow anchors the company's prepress department.

The USA B 20 folder is a commercial-grade folder for the smaller commercial printer. It offers quality finishing features with the ability to produce gatefolds, perforating and trimming options, as well as the ability to add gluing. Combination buckle plates with micro adjustments are standard in all plate positions. Fine-tuning folds is quick and efficient and the plates can be converted from deflector to buckle plate without having to lift or lower them. The USA B 20 comes standard with either pile or continuous feeder and 4-plate folding stations are standard. Up to 3 stations are available.

Incorporated in 1972 and employing 147, Kirkwood offers complete end-to-end direct marketing solutions with services that include data management and acquisition, data analytics, commercial printing, lettershop, fulfillment and kitting, insert media printing, planning and placement, crisis mail management, and e-marketing. Clients come from the financial services, education, medical products, consumer goods and non-profit sectors. The company, a fixture on the annual Printing Impressions 400 list of leading U.S. printing companies, reports annual revenue of $44 million.

In choosing suppliers, Kelley said, "We look for a long-term relationship and performance, both of which we get with Heidelberg. Heidelberg's service organization is also the best in the industry."

Front - Cetta Boyd - Left to right - Brian Boyd, Dan Paolillo, Rich Paolillo, John Olivi, Jeff Brain, Jeff Demar, Tommy Kozyra
Details

Lithoprint Chooses Heidelberg Suprasetter for Improved Quality and Convenience
Lithoprint Corporation, Pompano Beach, FL describes itself as an environmentally friendly printing commercial printer offering quality design, printing, mailing and fulfillment services for more than 13 years. The company recently installed an automatic top-loading Suprasetter A75 thermal computer-to-plate device and upgraded its prepress software to take advantage of the automation and of environmental and quality improvements obtained through the use of Heidelberg Saphira Chemfree aluminum plates, 100 percent of which it recycles.

"We're definitely getting a cleaner, sharper dot since we installed the new platesetter," said company owner Brian Boyd. "This is evident in the much-improved quality of the reprints we do. In addition, our production times are significantly faster because of the automation."

All printing at Lithoprint is done on Heidelberg sheetfed presses, including a 5-color Speedmaster SM 52, 2-color SORZ, and a 2-color Printmaster QM 46-2. The company's full-service bindery hosts a USA B20 small-format Stahlfolder, as well as POLAR 115 XT and 92X guillotine cutters. Lithoprint also uses a variety of Heidelberg pressroom consumables, including chemistry, ink foils and washup cloths.

Founded in 1998 and employing a staff of 10, Lithoprint supplies a varied clientele-including many Florida-based churches and non-profit groups-with commercially printed materials. The company reported annual sales in the $1.7 million range in 2010, and is on track to do the same this year.

"We're a Heidelberg user because we feel the equipment is the best there is," Boyd said, adding, "The original reason we chose Heidelberg prepress and consumables is because the equipment works hand-in-hand with our Heidelberg presses, and because we didn't want to get caught up in finger-pointing among different suppliers. That said, Heidelberg's service is better than anybody else's. If our rep doesn't know the answer, he'll pick up the phone and instantly be in touch with someone in the organization who does. You can't beat that."

The Time Has Come for Digital Printing: Printing in Hong Kong 2011

2011-08-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

Teri Tan of Publisher's Weekly interviews John Currie of CTPS, a book manufacturer in Hong Kong, and Aurelio Maruggi, General Manager of HP's inkjet high-speed production solutions division regarding digital book production in Asia. Muller Martini finishing technology is an integral part of the overall solution.

Here's the Money Quote:

What is your advice to those considering installing a T300 or T400, or venturing into digital printing?

AM: Printing is only a part of book production. When assessing the digital value proposition, one needs to take into consideration the benefits of time and labor savings in prepress and inline finishing. Unlike conventional printing, digital printing can produce collated pages or signatures to print one book at a time, thus eliminating separate signature production, folding, gathering, collating, binding, and trimming. With digital paperback production, the whole process can be done inline with just two or three operators. At CTPS, for instance, you will find rolls of paper at the start and finished books on pallets at the end. For those considering digital printing, it is crucial to factor in benefits in terms of labor, turnaround time, and efficiency during the assessment.

JC: Do your homework. Review technical aspects to ensure that the digital press is suitable for the type of product you have in mind. Make sure the press will interface seamlessly with the finishing lines. It is also very useful to find out from actual users their experiences and challenges in successful day-to-day rollout. Most important, do not buy into the hype regarding certain presses or technology that has not been fully tested in the market.

Read the whole thing here

Briefing: Newspapers - Will colour digital offer new lease of life for newspapers?

2011-08-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

From Printweek by Tim Sheahan (registration required)

A snippet from Printweek describing how newspapers in England are embracing digital printing for improved timeliness and reduced distribution costs.

30-SECOND BRIEFING

• Digital newspaper printer Stroma has added nearly 50 new titles to its production portfolio, increasing its database to an impressive 1,400 newspapers• While a growing number of printers and manufacturers are banking on a digital future for newspapers, it is publishers that are driving the move• Newspaper printer Newsfax announced last October it was moving into the digital printing arena after purchasing a Kodak Versamark inkjet system, a VL6200 model that went live at its Stratford facility in April. The company believes that digitally printed newspapers targeted at niche readerships will be a growth area for Newsfax and the sector as a whole• Digital technology has created new opportunities for printed newspapers and could cut the high cost of distributing short runs of newspapers internationally and for specific events• However, turnaround times and production costs are still a negative aspect of digital newspaper printing and likely to remain so for a few years yet

Bloomberg Businessweek Taking Print Delivery Into Own Hands

2011-07-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

from Foliomag.com

Bloomberg Businessweek has been rapidly expanding an "alternative distribution" plan to print subscribers. Since last December the magazine has been partnering with newspaper publishers and other delivery services to have the magazine hand-delivered with the Friday morning paper. Currently, 9 percent of the magazine's 860,000 domestic print subscribers already receive the magazine this way. The publisher wants to expand into other metro regions and raise that to 30 percent by the end of the year.
And that figure is just a 4Q 2011 goal. The magazine likely won't stop there. Instead, to counteract delays caused by the Postal Service's FSS equipment and a potential five-day delivery schedule, it will continue to explore ways to transition more print subscriber copies away from USPS delivery and into co-delivery with newspaper publishers and other private delivery services.

For many, the USPS simply appears to be a giant vortex requiring ever larger sums for less and less service. The whole business model faces strategic and intractable challenges, which, Oh by the way, cannot be addressed without literally several Acts of Congress.

Enter the White Knight of Newspapers! This private sector industry is the only other enterprise that can touch every driveway, every day. Newspapers can combine this distribution advantage with robust printing and inserting capabilities to duplicate and exceed the performance of mail stream based products.

Look for weekly publishers and regional newspapers to expand this growing partnership.

The Line Between Newspaper Publishers and Commercial Printers Continues to Blur

2011-07-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

From the Dead Tree Edition

"As demand for printed newspapers has shrunk in recent years, publishers have more idle time on their presses and less ability to justify investing in new presses. Increasingly, they will either turn their printing over to others or chase after outside printing work to justify the investments needed to keep their printing operations up to date."

As Dead Tree notes, more and more newspapers are shoring up their printing capabilities to reach into web commercial work or exiting the business of manufacturing altogether.

Read the whole thing here

When one book closes, will another open?

2011-07-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

From Graphic Arts Magazine by Kirsten Read

On the online retail front, Amazon.com is thriving with its latest digital deal: e-book rental. The idea is that students can rent textbooks using Amazon's Kindle service, apparently allowing them to save up to 80% from printed textbook list prices. The company says that tens of thousands of textbooks are available for the 2011 school year (details of the program here).
Kindle Textbooks are "Rent Once, Read Everywhere," says Amazon, as they can be read with free Kindle Reading Apps for PC, Mac, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and Android-based devices. [In related news, the rumour mill is churning with reports that Amazon will launch its own Android-based tablet computer this fall.]

Hickory Printing Solutions Installs Cutting-Edge Bobst Equipment

2011-07-15T05:31:00.000-07:00

from the issuing company

Conover, North Carolina, July 13, 2011 – Hickory Printing Solutions, a Consolidated Graphics, Inc. company (NYSE: CGX), recently installed a new Bobst diecutter and Bobst folder-gluer at its Greensboro, North Carolina facility. The new equipment enhances Hickory Printing Solutions’ packaging production services – from concept through delivery – to customers in North Carolina and the surrounding region.

"We are continually investing in the best equipment and technology that gives our customers the most effective solution possible to meet their needs," said Stephen Patton, President of Hickory Printing Solutions. "In this case, Bobst provided us with an industry-leading production solution – in terms of quality, reliability, speed and efficiency – to ensure flawless execution of our packaging customers’ projects."

The new Bobst equipment provides a multitude of advantages to customers:

Bobst Expertcut 106 LER Diecutter

o   Production speed of 9,000 sheets per hour

o   Electronic eye that registers each printed sheet to the die laterally to ensure precise 1:1 registration

o   Manufacturing time is reduced

o   Job memory for future make-readies

Bobst Expertfold 110 A-2 CS Folder-Gluer
o   Folds at high speeds (125,000+ pieces an hour)

o   Unique in-line windowing

o   Leary glue system with six gun glue detection

o   Verifies UPC code on each project piece

o   Non-Conforming blanks are automatically ejected

Hickory's recently upgraded facility in Greensboro is a technologically advanced commercial sheetfed printing and packaging operation. With the addition of the new Bobst equipment to its multiple color presses and finishing and binding equipment, Hickory is an industry leader in producing high-quality packaging.

Quad/Graphics to Acquire Mexican Printing Assets From and Sell Canadian Assets to Transcontinental

2011-07-15T05:20:00.000-07:00

from the issuing company's web site

SUSSEX, WI,July 13, 2011 — Quad/Graphics Inc. (NYSE: QUAD) and Transcontinental Inc. (TSX: TCL.A, TCL.B, TCL.PR.D) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Quad/Graphics will acquire Transcontinental’s Mexican operations and sell its Canadian operations to Transcontinental (with the exception of Quad/Graphics’ Vancouver, B.C., facility). Further, Quad/Graphics will receive a portion of Transcontinental’s Canadian book printing business that is produced for U.S. export.

The transactions have been approved by the boards of directors of both companies and are subject to customary regulatory clearances, including under the Mexican Federal Law on Economic Competition and the Canadian Competition Act. The definitive agreement allows for the transactions to close independently of each other, but both are expected to close in the fall of 2011. Essentially, these transactions represent an exchange of assets.

“This agreement is a win-win for Quad/Graphics and Transcontinental and one that will create long-term value for both companies,” said Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of Quad/Graphics. “We have long recognized the high growth potential in Mexico and South America. This acquisition supports our strategy to grow profitably in geographies and segments where we can be a market leader through a diverse product offering, and a superior and efficient operating platform. This acquisition expands on our existing presence in Mexico and is expected to provide solid synergy opportunities and position us to achieve our platform, earnings and market-leadership objectives.”

Transcontinental currently employs approximately 900 people among its three facilities in Azcapotzalco, Toluca and Xochimilco, Mexico, and forecasts to generate approximately US$70 million of revenues for fiscal year 2011. “By acquiring Transcontinental’s Mexican assets, we will become the leading producer of magazines, retail inserts and catalogs in Mexico,” said Tony Scaringi, newly named President & General Manager of Latin America. “We will roll out Quad/Graphics’ long-standing best practices in Lean Enterprise, safety and technical education to the expanded platform, further enhancing our position as the sustainable, value-added print producer for all of Latin America.”

Added Mr. Quadracci: “Through this transaction, we will be redeploying our capital to the emerging market in Mexico, which has a growing middle class and a population more than three times the size of Canada. To drive growth in Canada would have required a substantial capital investment. Canada is a lower growth, highly competitive print market with excess capacity. That market reality, combined with declining revenues and earnings, and along with the underfunded pension obligations of the Canadian business, makes Canada a less-compelling long-term value creation opportunity for us compared to Mexico.”

Given the synergy opportunities from integrating operations in Mexico as well as the higher, more profitable growth the company anticipates there, Quad/Graphics expects this transaction will create positive incremental Adjusted EBITDA within 12 to 24 months following the close of the transaction.

In the transaction, Transcontinental will also transfer to Quad/Graphics its black and white book printing business destined for U.S. export, which represents approximately US$25 million in revenues.

As part of the Canadian transaction, Transcontinental will assume retirement pension and post-retirement obligations approximating US$75 million and acquire seven Quad/Graphics facilities (consisting of six printing plants and a premedia operation) that employ approximately 1,500 people and are forecasted to generate approximately US$310 million of revenues in fiscal year 2011. The facilities are located in Aurora, Concord and Markham (Toronto), Ontario; LaSalle and Montreal, Québec; Edmonton, Alberta; and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

FrançoisOlivier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Transcontinental, said: “The acquisition of the Canadian assets of Quad/Graphics is in line with our strategy to strengthen our more traditional print assets in Canada and is key to maintain a solid business going forward given the competitive and industry dynamics. It will allow us to leverage the over $700 million in investments we made to our printing platform over the last several years, it will generate significant synergies and it will better equip us to face the new challenges in our industry.”

1,000 HITS !!

2011-07-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

A small but significant milestone - keep those hits coming.

From small seeds come large trees

Muller Martini and RIMA-SYSTEM Seal Close Partnership

2011-07-08T17:36:00.000-07:00



In order to provide their customers with optimized production processes for press delivery systems and offer a comprehensive support service, the two system manufacturers, Muller Martini and RIMA-SYSTEM will be working together in the future.

Now, more than ever before, price competition and surplus capacities in the market due to increasingly efficient press delivery systems require the graphic arts industry to confront high cost pressure with flexible systems and intelligent automation of production systems. A strong team seals the close partnership between Muller Martini and RIMA-SYSTEM with a handshake (from right to left.): Felix Stirnimann (Market Manager Print Finishing Systems, Müller Martini), Bruno Müller (CEO Müller Martini), Horst Steinhart (President RIMA-SYSTEM), Dr. Axel B. Tübke (President RIMA-SYSTEM), Dr. Christian Tübke (Member of the Board RIMA-SYSTEM), Daniel Langenegger (Member of the Executive Board Müller Martini) and Klaus Kalthoff (Executive Vice President RIMA-SYSTEM). This is particularly true for press delivery systems, which are an important interface between printing and finishing. High availability is an important factor alongside process intelligence and reliability when it comes to cost-optimized finishing. To achieve this, leading edge technology as well as optimum service support are required. For this reason, the two finishing specialists, RIMA-SYSTEM and Muller Martini have entered into a cooperative agreement, which will enable them to use shared synergies and offer their customers perfect, customized solutions. Bruno Müller, CEO of Muller Martini, said that “for web printers in particular, it is important in today's environment to be able to use the right technology for their production facilities. The cooperation with RIMA-SYSTEM allows our customers to choose their ideal and individual solution from the extensive product line offered by the two market leaders. This means users can benefit from the most efficient solution in each case – e.g. a Newsveyor conveyor system from Muller Martini paired with a compensating stacker and palletizing robot from RIMA-SYSTEM.” The two partners have coordinated and streamlined their joint product lines in accordance with current requirements. This optimized product line includes the areas of conveying, cutting, stack production, bundle production and roll production as well as palletizing and will be supplemented with a professional range of services with comprehensive service being provided by the Muller Martini national companies and the RIMA-SYSTEM project centers. “Our partnership with Muller Martini is much more than a cooperation agreement. It is a commitment to finding the best solution for the customer, which is defined independently of the manufacturer label and must be optimally adapted to the respective application. After all, our main priority is that the customer benefits from the solution,” said Dr. Axel B. Tübke, CEO of RIMA-SYSTEM. In the past, the two organizations have already worked together very successfully on projects in rotogravure processing and printing commercial work. For example, Grafiche Mazzuchelli in Seriate near Bergamo, Italy, opted for a joint solution by the two new system partners. At the Italian location, a Muller Martini Newsveyor conveyor brings the printed products of the 96-page printing press safely to the RIMA-SYSTEM stackers and robots. Another, current example is Eurogravure, a rotogravure company near Milan, Italy, where RIMA-SYSTEM, in close cooperation with Muller Martini, is currently integrating a palletizing robot solution into a complete Muller Martini press delivery system. “Together, we are creating investment security and the basis for maximum availability of printing presses and print finishing systems,” said Bruno Müller and Dr. Axel B. Tübke with confidence. “With the partnership between Muller Martini and RIMA-SYSTEM, our customers will benefit from the best technology, a global sales and service network with extensive system knowledge and the stability of two financially strong manufacturers.” Details of the agreement will be available at the end of July on the websites of the two manufacturers. Muller Martini Muller Martini, as a world-wide group of companies, is a leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of a wide range of print finishing systems and size-variable web offset printing presses. For more than 65 years, the family business has been developing innovative, marketable products and support services which meet the highest customer demands. Today, Muller Martini operates in seven business segments: unique digital solutions, size-variable web offset printing, press delivery systems, stitching, softcover and hardcover production and newspaper mailroom. http://www.mullermartini.com RIMA-SYSTEM RIMA-SYSTEM is a world-wide group of companies, which is a leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of post press solutions – from simple stackers to highly automated systems with palletizing robots – for commercial printing and web rotogravure printing. This is enhanced with selective solutions for small newspapers and the material handling behind bookbinding machines. For more than 35 years, the flexible and innovative family business has been developing productive and reliable solutions, which are marketed and supported via its own Project & Support Centers. http://www.rima-system.com from Muller Martini press release

New Installation Report from Heidelberg - July 2011

2011-07-08T17:25:00.000-07:00

from the issuing company

Heidelberg Equipment, Consumables Promote Fast, Efficient Production

07/01/2011

Kennesaw, Ga. - Kennesaw, Ga., July 1, 2011 - Heidelberg has announced the following new product installations:

Brilliant Graphics Adds Luster to Its Heidelberg Lineup with KAMA Die Cutter

Brilliant Graphics, Exton, PA confirms the installation of a KAMA ProCut 74 automatic die cutting system with hot foil module. The purchase eliminates Brilliant's need to outsource its half-size die cutting work, yielding a greater measure of quality control and the ability to meet ever-tighter turn times.

Said General Manager Harut Shahverdian, "The versatile KAMA ProCut 74 consistently delivers what it promised: high-quality, multi-purpose finishing combined with short setup times, fast changeovers from cutting to foil stamping, and a minimal footprint. Altogether, the KAMA ProCut is a worthy addition to our Heidelberg equipment lineup."

KAMA ProCut die cutters can be used to make presentation folders, CD covers, displays, pre-printed sheets for cardboard models, window stickers, flyers, calendars, customer cards, cardboard toys, book covers, register sheets, packaging material, product badges, tax seals, promotion badges, kiss-cut applications such as stickers and decorative labels.

Brilliant Studio already operates a fleet of Heidelberg presses, including a 6-color Speedmaster XL 105, a 5-color Speedmaster SM 52, and a 2-color Speedmaster SM 102. Saphira Thermoplate PN plates-exposed at up to 400 lpi with Heidelberg Hybrid Screening technology-are supplied by a Suprasetter S105 CtP unit. As for digital workflow, Brilliant's Heidelberg Prinect capability extends from estimating to bindery. Prinect production components including Signa Station and MetaDimension handle imposition, RIPping, prepress data exchange, and other critical functions. Brillliant also selected Prinect Prinance as its MIS solution, and has taken advantage of Print Color Management (PCM), a color consultation program that shows Heidelberg customers how to optimize the performance of all their Heidelberg devices and software. Brilliant's postpress capability is supplied by a Heidelberg Stitchmaster ST 450 saddlestitcher, a Stahlfolder TH 82, and a POLAR 137 XT paper cutter with jogger, pile turner and Transomat. Both a new Stahlfolder TH 66 and EB 600 perfect binder will be installed shortly.

Brilliant Studios produces a wide variety of printed and die-cut materials for high-end retailers, art galleries, auction houses and members of the visual arts community across the U.S. and internationally.

Executive Press Appreciates Labor-Saving Features of New Suprasetter

Executive Press in Richardson, Texas is running cleaner and greener since it replaced a violet platesetter with a Suprastter A75 thermal computer-to-plate device from Heidelberg. Used to image Heidelberg Saphira Chemfree plates for the company's four offset presses, including a 6-color Speedmaster SM 74 and 4-color Printmaster GTO, the new Suprasetter "fell right in line with our workflow," said General Manager David Allen. Most impressive to Allen and his team is the automatic top loading capability of the new platesetter, which provides fully automated plate loading and slip sheet removal that permits mostly unattended operation of the unit.
Executive Press has a longstanding commitment to green printing. Accordingly, the company has converted to soy-based inks and prints on post-consumer waste recycled or FSC-certified paper, unless otherwise specified. The company has implemented proven systems in its production area to reduce energy usage while recycling all paper and aluminum plates used in the printing process. The new Suprasetter contributes to this effort with its own set of environmental credentials. Consuming 0.7 kilowatts per hour, the Suprasetter A75 platesetter draws around five times less power and generates around five times less waste heat than comparable models from other manufacturers.

"Heidelberg equipment is simply the best there is, and its service technicians are well-trained, knowledgeable and persistent," Allen said. "There's none better."

Approaching a quarter-century in business, $2.5 million Executive Press currently employs a staff of 12, and serves real estate and building clients and a variety of associations doing business in North Texas.

Florida Trade Graphics Serves Up Improved Print Quality with Suprasetter 105 from Heidelberg Florida Trade Graphics, providing printing and binding services exclusively to trade printers and bona fide print brokers nationwide, reports the installation of a Suprasetter 105 computer-to-plate device with workflow from Heidelberg. Since the new platesetter began imaging Heidelberg Saphira Chemfree plates for the company's 6-color Speedmaster CD 102, President and CEO Dennis McNaney says, our organization takes pride in improved print quality across the board-"Customers have noticed, "McNaney said- as well as in running cleaner and greener because the Suprasetter uses less power and because chemical influences have been removed. McNaney adds that from the company's point of view, Heidelberg's prepress workflow is "second to none."

Elsewhere in the shop, Florida Trade Graphics operates a 45" POLAR guillotine and a new Stahlfolder TH 82 with VSA stacker, which replaced two aging, competitive folders. According to McNaney, the 25-year-old company is on track to achieve a 25 percent growth in sales this year. The firm employs a staff of 35 in Pompano Beach, FL.

Spectrum Printing Adopts Digital Workflow with Heidelberg's Assistance

Spectrum Printing, a general commercial and digital wide format printer in Killeen, Texas recently completed its transition from film-based to digital workflow with the installation of a Suprasetter A75 thermal platesetter with single cassette loader and software from Heidelberg. The new CtP device images Heidelberg Saphira Chemfree plates for use in Spectrum's offset equipment, including a Printmaster Quickmaster QM 46 two-color press and an Akiyama four-color press.

"We'd been experiencing failures with our film processors, and I was afraid the time would come when it would be a real challenge to have them serviced," said company owner Scott Keese. "It was high time to switch."

Heidelberg technicians were instrumental in making the transition as swift and painless as possible, Keese said. "The installation went very smoothly, we were up and running within a day, and Heidelberg kept us going until the training guys arrived. Now," he continued, "We can burn a set of plates faster than we could get the film out and into the stripping department."

As for quality, "We've always run a high dot," Keese continued. "That said, we are getting better color consistency and can see the improvement in our printed materials. One of the reasons we selected Heidelberg was our confidence in their color expertise."

Established in 1998 and acquired by Keese in 2003, Spectrum Printing accommodates a variety of corporate, financial and educational clients within the state of Texas. It also serves a steady stream of walk-in customers. The company employs a full-time staff of 10.

UT Knoxville Lauds Labor-Saving Features of New Stahlfolder USA B20

The Graphic Arts Services department at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UT Knoxville) recently took delivery of a fully automated 2-station USA B20 Stahlfolder with gatefold attachment to aid in the finishing of printed materials for the Knoxville campus. The new folder replaces an aging, semi-automated model. It adds touchscreen setup, programmability, and the ability to store and recall folding programs used in the production of a wide variety of brochures, newsletters, and small-signature booklets and forms for the University community.

According to Graphic Arts and Mail Services Acting Director Jack Williams, the labor-saving automated features of the new folder have made the shop more productive and efficient, as well as limited its need to outsource or rely on hand-finishing and work-arounds for gatefolded products. Operators especially like the automated fold plate setup, Williams said.

Graphic Services is a longtime user of Heidelberg equipment, including a 4-color Speedmaster XL 105, a 2-color Speedmaster SM 74, two Printmaster QM 46-2s, and a 36" 2-color SORDZ. In the prepress area, Graphic Services relies on Heidelberg's Prinect Prepress Interface, which links the shop's two-year-old Speedmaster XL 105 with its prepress workflow system by transferring print-relevant parameters from prepress to press. Other postpress equipment includes a 26x40" Stahlfolder, POLAR 115 XT and 78 X guillotine cutters, and a POLAR pile turner.

"We've always been impressed with the consistency, quality and reliability of our Heidelberg equipment," Williams said. "Just as important, we maintain a good relationship with Heidelberg's service organization, which is knowledgeable and responsive whenever we call."
In continuous operation for 50 years and more, UT Knoxville's Graphic Arts Services department provides printing and duplication services to faculty, staff, and students. Reproduction equipment ranges from black and white copiers to multi-color printing presses. Basic design and layout assistance on simple projects is also available. UT Knoxville's Graphic Arts Services employs 32. Fourteen employees work in UT's Mailing Services Department, while a staff of two mans the University's Convenience Copier Program.

The Darwinian Publishing Model and Google

2011-06-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

The Darwinian Publishing Model stands on three legs; 1) an author's or content owner's ability to publish web searchable content, 2) ubiquitous devices from which to conduct search and receive content, and 3) robust search capability.

Google clearly intends to play in all three legs of this publishing model. Two recent reports are very interesting. First, the Digits blog of WSJ.com reports that Google has just reached 1 Billion unique users per month. Not searches, but unique users. What's the population of the earth anyway?

Second, Google has reached an agreement with the British Library to digitize 250,000 books, or 40 million pages that will be available for search, downloading, or reading for free. This is content in addition to millions of book titles slated for access from the Google Book Settlement.

Finally, Google is pushing hard on the device side of the equation with their Android Mobile OS, available for smartphones and tablets. Already, there are multiple Android tablets available, this one here from Samsung.

Google is uniquely positioned to vertically integrate this publishing model. It is acquiring huge amounts of content by first tying up the rights to out of print and unclaimed titles, and second by agreements with the old school publishers. Their market share for search continues to grow and ensure that searches for this content will run through Google's servers (and advertisers). Finally, the Android Mobile OS growing popularity means that more and more searches will originate from and deliver to devices powered by Google.

The great game that Google is playing is not about publishing, but about who is reading and searching for what and selling that to their advertisers. More on this in a future post.

Muller Martini's Orbit Three Knife Trimmer

2011-06-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

The hallmark of a high quality softcover book is the clean, smooth, and square look of the finished edges, free of any chips or tears of the cover. Every hardcover and softcover book must pass through a three knife trimmer to remove excess paper and folds to create the finished product. Historically, preparing the this device to change trim sizes from one job to the next has been a time consuming and laborious task.

Muller Martini's Orbit trimmer incorporates the latest advances in machine controls and cutting geometry to produce an exceptional quality book with a minimum of operator intervention.

Have a look here at the brief video of the Orbit trimmer in operation.

Drupa Innovation Park

2011-06-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

Drupa announces their Innovation Park designed to highlight in a single hall new emerging technologies and companies relevant to the graphic arts. The DIP will feature these business categories organized into theme parts shown below:

Print Automation Park
Process optimization and the greatest possible efficiency in the print process aided by planning systems, shop-floor management systems, and MIS systems working in concert with JDF and server applications.

Asset Management Park
From database to paper or any other medium Systematic management and use of digital content and documents.

Dynamic Publishing Park
A single source for all media: Strategies and solutions for multichannel publishing Applications for print and web, Web-to-Print, Print-to-Web, Print on Demand.

Print meets Mobile Park
Applications for mobile devices like mobile tagging, QR codes and augmented reality Solutions for the future of print in combination with mobile communication.

Digital Imaging Park
Innovations for striking worlds of digital images.

Marketing Solutions Park
Tools for targeted communication, ranging from campaign management and transactional advertising to white space marketing.

Print Product Innovation Park
Innovative print products, from print finishing solutions to secure printing.

Printed Electronics / Functional Printing Park
Print is more than Publishing – Print in Process. Engineering is becoming increasingly important.

Green Printing Park
Innovations for sustainable print production.

John Locke Becomes the First Independently Published Author to Join the "Kindle Million Club"

2011-06-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

Self publishing combined with electronic distribution will make further inroads into the publishing and printing sectors.

from the issuing company press release

Amazon.com today announced that John Locke has become the eighth author to sell over 1 million Kindle books, becoming the newest member of the "Kindle Million Club," and the first independently published author to receive this distinction. As of yesterday, John Locke has sold 1,010,370 Kindle books using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Kindle Direct Publishing is a fast and easy way for publishers and authors to start selling to Kindle customers worldwide via Kindle, Kindle 3G, Kindle with Special Offers, Kindle 3G with Special Offers, Kindle DX, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac and Android-based devices. The Kindle Million Club recognizes authors whose books have sold over 1 million paid copies in the Kindle Store (www.amazon.com/kindlestore). Locke joins Stieg Larsson, James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Charlaine Harris, Lee Child, Suzanne Collins and Michael Connelly in the Kindle Million Club.