New In-Store Division for HGI
BURLINGTON, WI—HGI Co. has created a new operating division, Tempt In-Store Productions, based in Menomonee Falls, WI. The division specializes in the design and manufacture of in-store marketing materials for the country’s leading retailers and consumer brands. Mike Draver has been named president of Tempt, which recently installed an Inca Onset digital UV press.
San Fran Chronicle in Trouble
MONTREAL—The announcement that Hearst Publishing may seek a buyer for its troubled San Francisco Chronicle, which could face closure, has to be a bit disconcerting for Transcontinental Inc. The two parties previously signed an agreement that sees the Chronicle’s printing outsourced to Transcontinental, which is slated to begin printing the paper in a specially built plant later this year. Transcontinental said the preparation of its facility in San Francisco continues as scheduled, with print production on track for the June startup.
Unisource Chases ‘Delinquent’
EUGENE, OR—Printing supplies distributor Unisource Worldwide has filed a lawsuit seeking $3.3 million it says is owed by defunct printer Northwest Web, The Register-Guard reported. The printer closed its doors last November. According to the paper, Unisource continued making deliveries to Northwest Web through November, despite not receiving payments since April. A lawyer for Unisource told The Register-Guard that the chance of his client getting paid at this point is “pretty slim.”
Vision Graphics Buys Keyline
LOVELAND, CO—Vision Graphics has signed a letter of intent to acquire Denver-based Keyline Graphics. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close within 30 days, were not revealed. Keyline’s present management team, led by Del Baker, will remain with the company upon completion of the deal. Keyline will also continue to operate out of its current facility under the Vision Graphics brand.
Worker Loses Toes in Accident
ANNISTON, AL—An employee of Consolidated Publishing endured three operations that cost him five toes after an alleged malfunctioning press roller caught the worker’s foot, according to The Anniston Star. Marty Hubbard told the paper his foot got caught in a roller that had been malfunctioning “for a while.” An initial surgery and two followup procedures saved Hubbard’s foot, but not his toes.
Gigantic Is Beta for HP Printer
DALLAS—Large-format printer Gigantic Color is the first beta installation of the HP Scitex FB750 digital flatbed printer. The addition has allowed Gigantic Color to expand its offerings and secure new business opportunities traditionally limited to screen printers. The printer is designed for high-quality, point-of-purchase/point-of-sale applications, exhibition graphics, signage, backlit displays and posters.
Promatch Enhances Arsenal
DAYTON, OH—Promatch Solutions has acquired the assets and trade name of Greyden Press and JK Digital Publishing. Greyden Press, based in Columbus, OH, provides prepress, digital printing, binding and fulfillment to the scientific and technical publishing markets. The addition of Greyden also allows Promatch to expand its short-run perfect binding, coil and binder publication offerings to include hardcase books, along with CD and DVD replication.
Press Fire Strikes Gateway
LOUISVILLE, KY—It took four fire departments about 40 minutes to put out a fire at Gateway Press on March 4, the Louisville Courier-Journal indicated. There were no injuries reported. Firefighters arrived at the plant shortly after 7 p.m. as smoke billowed out of a six-color, 40? press that had been operating when the blaze started, according to Glen Georgehead, CFO. He said the press is likely damaged beyond repair and added that the building did not suffer any structural damage.
Mohawk Acquires SMART Line
COHOES, NY—Mohawk Fine Papers has purchased the premium uncoated writing, text and cover brands from SMART Papers, of Hamilton, OH. The purchase includes the Carnival, Passport, Genesis, Synergy, Pegasus, Magna Carta, Solutions, Feltweave, Nekoosa, Proterra, Skytone and SMART Brights brands. Mohawk will also become the exclusive marketer of SMART’s Kromekote and Knightkote brands to traditional paper distribution companies and graphic designers worldwide.
Printers Form Digital Concern
FAIRFIELD, NJ—Gator Media Group, in a joint venture with Printing Communications Group, has formed Digital Communications Group (DCG). The new company provides digital services to its clients, including variable data printing, PURLs, wide-format printing and Web-to-print services.
Untreated Ink Ends Up in River
READING, PA—A faulty valve at Interstate Container resulted in a large quantity of ink being spilled into the Schuylkill River, the Reading Eagle reported. The city’s emergency management coordinator said the ink is non-toxic and water soluble, and does not present a danger to residents. Interstate normally treats the ink before disposing of it, but the bad valve allowed untreated ink to enter the river, the paper said.
EFI OKs Share Repurchases
FOSTER CITY, CA—The board of directors of Electronics For Imaging (EFI) has approved a $100 million share repurchase program, including a $30 million accelerated share repurchase (ASR), utilizing a portion of proceeds from the recently announced sale of the company’s real estate here. The authorization replaces the previously approved share repurchase program, including a remaining amount of approximately $33 million available for repurchases.