UPFRONT
New Book Production Facility
LaVERGNE, TN—Lightning Source, a provider of on-demand book manufacturing and distribution solutions for the book industry, is opening a new manufacturing facility in Lehigh County, PA. The new plant is slated to house 16 black-and-white presses, 10 web offset color presses and five sheetfed presses to go with 12 binding lines. The new center will be Lightning’s second U.S. installation and third worldwide. Aside from its headquarters in this suburban Nashville town, Lightning Source also has a London-based manufacturing operation.
Teamsters Target Cenveo
WASHINGTON, DC—Citing what it terms “deep cuts in healthcare benefits and worker protections” for Cenveo employees, Teamster workers in five major U.S. cities leafleted a number of the printer’s major retail accounts, including Starbucks and Ann Taylor, with literature condemning Cenveo employee treatment. Teamster members handed out leaflets in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, St. Louis and Los Angeles, among other cities, the union said in a release.
FL Conditions Chase Genesis
GREENVILLE, SC—Citing high taxes and insurance, along with a lack of skilled workers and recruiting issues, Genesis Press decided to close its Hialeah Gardens, FL, headquarters and move to Greenville, SC, according to the Miami Herald. CEO Larry Kudevitz told the paper that his book and catalog printing business will close its Florida operations between April and June. Genesis Press, which generates $15 million in annual sales, will save $1 million in administrative costs just by moving, the Herald reported.
Standard Register Closes Plant
DAYTON, OH—In an effort to align its supply chain with market opportunities and customer needs, Standard Register has decided to close its Middlebury, VT, facility and transfer equipment and production operations to three other plants. The Middlebury operation, which opened in 1965 and employs 112, will continue to perform limited operation through March. Middlebury’s equipment will be shifted to plants in Murfreesboro, TN; York, PA; and Fayetteville, AR.
Wright Buys American Imaging
PORTLAND, OR—Wright Imaging Solutions has purchased American Imaging Solutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition further strengthens Wright Imaging Solutions’ position as a statement processing and print-on-demand center for the distributor community and aligns the company with the direct mail industry.
THP Graphics Buys Peeples
CONYERS, GA—THP Graphics has acquired commercial and quick printer Peeples Printing of Gainesville, GA, as well as purchased an eight-color Heidelberg Speedmaster perfecting sheetfed press. THP has also expressed a desire to obtain three more commercial shops in the state of Georgia.
Abitibi, Bowater Strike Deal
GREENVILLE, SC—Abitibi-Consolidated of Montreal and Bowater Inc., based here, have agreed to combine in an all-stock merger of equals. The new company will be called AbitibiBowater and will boast annual revenues of approximately (US)$7.9 billion. The deal makes AbitibiBowater—with a leading position among publication papers producers—the third largest publicly traded paper and forest products company in North America.
Northwest Obtains Times Litho
EUGENE, OR—Catalog and magazine printer Northwest Web has completed a deal to purchase Times Litho, a 70-year-old magazine and catalog printer based in Forest Grove, OR. Times Litho will retain its name and location. The organization plans to make extensive capital improvements and obtain equipment including presses, perfect binders and saddlestitchers. The combined company is projected to post revenues of $30 million in 2007.
Ownership Switch for Johnson
BOULDER, CO—Johnson Publishing, a 60-year-old, family owned printer, has been sold to Mountain Graphics of Denver. The merged business will be called Johnson Printing and will be located at Johnson’s facility here. Kevin Wright, owner of Mountain Graphics, takes control from Jerry Johnson, who plans to retire. Bob Graham, general manager for Johnson, will remain with the company. The new firm will have 71 employees. About 12 percent of the respective work forces were laid off due to redundancy.
Webb/Mason Expands Facilities
BALTIMORE—Webb/Mason has expanded its corporate headquarters to 80,000 square feet and its Chicago offices to 26,500 square feet in order to accommodate its growing business. The print and brand management company wanted to address its office and warehousing space needs. The expansion includes an employee fitness center.
Direct Group Nets HintonHill
PENNINGTON, NJ—High-volume direct marketing services provider Direct Group has acquired HintonHill of Frederick, MD, which specializes in direct marketing management and consulting. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. As part of the agreement, HintonHill executives Don Hill and Barry Hinton will join Direct Group. HintonHill, which was founded in 2001, addressed the needs of vertical markets including nonprofit, telecommunications, travel and leisure/hospitality.
Quad/Graphics Is Recognized
SUSSEX, WI—Quad/Graphics has been named to Fortune magazine’s 2007 “100 Best Companies to Work for” list. The venerable, privately held company ranked 75th, nestled between American Express and Deloitte & Touche. Quad was also 26th out of the 39 large companies on the top 100. The publication recognized Quad, in part, for its alternating three- and four-day work weeks, and onsite childcare and fitness centers.