Brown Printing will eliminate about 200 jobs across its network of plants, accounting for roughly 8 percent of its workforce, according to the Business Journal of McHenry County (IL). A representative of the printer told the newspaper that the move was prompted by dwindling orders from its customers.
There’s nothing like Florida in early March to remind you that the doldrums of winter will soon be in the rearview mirror. Thus, the 2009 Presidents Conference, sponsored by the Printing Industries of America (PIA), allowed attendees to take a spring-like view of things to come as the year progresses.
Printing Impressions' Commercial Printer News for April 2009
BALTIMORE—Quincy Allen, a 27-year veteran of Xerox Corp., has been named CEO of Vertis Communications, a targeted print advertising and direct marketing solutions specialist. The position had been open since Michael DuBose's January 1 resignation from Vertis.
CUDAHY, WI—Arthur Wetzel, who spent 73 years making Wetzel Brothers one of the Midwest's leading printers, passed away March 12 at the age of 105. Mr. Wetzel spent his entire career working at the company founded by his father, Ignaz, and his uncle, August. He was president of the PIA in the 1950s, and championed early innovations such as offset printing on plastic substrates and waterless printing. Mr. Wetzel sold his company to Consolidated Graphics in 1999.
STAMFORD, CT—Cenveo Inc. is closing its Easton, MD, Cadmus Communications plant on April 25, according to the Star Democrat Easton. Around 200 people will lose their jobs. The former Waverly Press has been operating in Easton for the past 60 years, the paper said. The plant specializes in scientific, technical and medical journals.
NEENAH, WI—Stephanie Streeter, the previous chairman, president and CEO of the former Banta Corp., has been named interim head of the U.S. Olympic Committee. A former basketball player during her days at Stanford University, the 51-year-old Streeter will have her hands full. The USOC is in need of multimillion-dollar budget cuts and staff reductions. She will also be helping the Chicago contingent prepare and try to win its bid to host the 2016 Games.
CHICAGO—RR Donnelley will close the former Spencer Press in Wells, ME, and its Hillside, IL, facility as the company continues to deal with the dismal economy. A total of 488 jobs will be lost, including 370 at Spencer Press, a catalog and direct marketing printer. The Spencer plant will close by mid-June, with staggered layoffs. Employees at both facilities will receive severance packages.
MONTREAL—Quebecor World ushered in the opening of its new co-mailing facility in Somerset, NJ, with the addition of two new 30-pocket machines. The new capacity allows more publishers and catalogers to take advantage of the benefits of co-mailing. The Somerset mail consolidation location was selected for its strategic proximity to the densely populated Northeast.
LOUISVILLE, KY—It took four fire departments about 40 minutes to put out a fire at Gateway Press Wednesday evening, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported. There were no injuries reported. Firefighters arrived shortly after 7 p.m. as smoke came out of a six-color, 40? press that had been operating when the blaze started, according to Glen Georgehead, chief financial officer. He said the press is likely damaged beyond repair. The building sustained heavy smoke and water damage, the Courier-Journal said. Georgehead added that the building did not suffer any structural damage.
