Rededication Ceremony at manroland Celebrates New Chapter in Company History

WESTMONT, IL—07/02/08—The North American headquarters of manroland, Inc. was the scene for the newest chapter in the company’s long and successful history on June 30. One of the world’s most influential printing press manufacturers played host to a rededication ceremony as part of the company’s rebranding, and several local dignitaries participated in the event.

Joining manroland CEO Vince Lapinski for the occasion were Kirk Dillard, Illinois State Senator of the 24th District, Patricia R. Bellock, Illinois State Representative for the 47th District, and Polly Jensen, President and CEO of the Printing Industry of Illinois Association. All made brief statements to a crowd of manroland employees and media before unveiling the company’s new logo at the intersection of Pasquinelli Drive and East Oak Hill Drive and enjoying a tour of the facility.

Home for more than a quarter century

manroland’s U.S. headquarters in Westmont was built and completed in 1982. While its presses are assembled in Germany, all North American sales, service and parts are managed by employees in Westmont. It is also home to the Print Technology Center, a dynamic learning environment where the newest equipment and technology is demonstrated to customers and visitors throughout the year.

State Senator Dillard and State Representative Bellock were impressed with the facility. The tour included a demonstration of the HiPrint 700LV ROLAND sheetfed press in the Print Technology Center. Dillard remarked about his knowledge of the graphic arts industry, talking about two friends in the business and his grandfather, who worked as a color matcher for a Chicago area printing ink manufacturer.

CEO Lapinski addressed a current industry issue in his remarks. Illinois is one of 11 states with proposed legislation (SB2115) that would have a negative effect on the printing industry with passage of a “Do Not Mail” bill. Similar to the national do not call registry, it would impose harsh limitations on advertising mail.

A $686 billion industry, thousands of jobs are created by advertising mail and direct marketing. It provides consumers with a convenient marketplace and easy connections to local goods and services; approval of this bill would negatively impact small businesses. Lapinski noted consumers already have options to avoid unwanted mail, ranging from contacting individual companies to registering their name with the Direct Marketing Association’s mail preference service.

manroland has won and been honored with numerous industry awards throughout the years, and continues to maintain its global market leadership position for Web, sheetfed and newspaper printing.