UPFRONT
GCIU to Merge with Teamsters
WASHINGTON, DC—A majority of the Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) voted to merge with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT). The GCIU became an autonomous conference of the IBT effective January 1. The Teamsters has 1.4 million members, according to GCIU President George Tedeschi, who believes the merger will "breathe new life" into the printing workers union.
New Headquarters for RRD
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley is preparing to relocate to its new worldwide corporate headquarters in an office tower at 111 South Wacker Drive in the heart of the Windy City. The company will occupy 110,000 square feet. Donnelley, which is currently located at 77 West Wacker Drive, expects to move into its next digs in the middle of 2005.
Lehigh Direct Installs Web Press
BROADVIEW, IL—Lehigh Press has installed a second Goss M-600 web press with a unique configuration that includes a custom in-line finishing system, along with Kodak Versamark ink-jet variable imaging and personalization capabilities. The web press package and in-line configuration reportedly carried a price tag in excess of $10 million.
Creo Vows to Fight Lawsuit
VANCOUVER, BC—Creo Inc. pledges to fight a patent infringement lawsuit filed against the company and 43 other defendants by Forgent Networks through its wholly owned subsidiary Compression Labs. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the eastern district of Texas, Marshall Division, alleges that the sale and use of JPEG technology infringes its patent by complying with the JPEG standard as defined by CCITT Recommendation T.81, titled, "Information Technology—Digital Compression and Coding of Continuous Tone Still Images—Requirements and Guidelines." Creo's stance is that it does not infringe upon the patent, and also feels the patent is invalid and unenforceable.
Indexx Bolsters Its Arsenal
GREENVILLE, SC—Indexx Inc. completed a package purchase valued at $1.2 million featuring a five-color, 29˝ Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74 perfecting press with aqueous coater. Other investments include a Vijuk 1100c perfect binder and a Standard Horizon HT-70 three-knife trimmer. According to Indexx owner Jordan Finn, the company has another $245,000 worth of equipment on order, including folders, proofing equipment and a UV coater.
