Business Management - Operations

A year after officially announcing the intention to consolidate production of water-based inks, INX International Ink Co. recently opened a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Homewood, a southern suburb of Chicago.  A larger facility than the ones INX closed in Kalamazoo, MI, and in nearby Elk Grove earlier this year, Homewood offers 80,000 square-feet of space and an interesting slice of history to go with its address at 1000 Maple Drive in the Prairie Landing Business Park.

Mike DuBose’s two-year stint as CEO of Vertis Communications came to an end with his January 1 resignation. The company has named Stephen Dyott as vice chairman and Alex Sorokin as interim president. DuBose presided over the acquisition of American Color Graphics (ACG), as well as Vertis’ reorganizational bankruptcy. Dyott, who previously served as ACG’s chairman/CEO, will serve as a senior advisor to the board. Vertis has hired an executive search firm to assist in securing a permanent CEO.  

JERSEY CITY, NJ—The DG3 Group (DG3), a provider of global graphic communication solutions, has tabbed Tom Saggiomo for the role of president of the DG3 North American division, effective January 1, 2009. Saggiomo will report directly to Michael Cunningham, DG3's Group CEO. Saggiomo previously served as president and CEO of Agfa Graphics North American division. Prior to Agfa, Saggiomo was CEO and president of Lastra America, a company which he founded and grew to more than $100 million in revenues.

TORONTO—Fraser Papers has taken Valassis Communications to court, seeking payment for 1.8 million pounds of specialty paper manufactured at Fraser's Madawaska, ME, plant and shipped to a Valassis facility in North Carolina, according to the Bangor Daily News. The breach-of-contract suit seeks $933,000 for paper delivered this past spring. Fraser also seeks costs and prejudgment interest. A Valassis spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.

MONTREAL—AbitibiBowater Inc. is curtailing paper production capacity,  predominantly newsprint, by one million metric tons in a move that will result in about 1,100 jobs being impacted in the United States and Canada. Some mills are being closed permanently, while others are being idled until further notice. The Covington, TN, paper converting facility is being closed for good, removing 70,000 metric tons of coated grades from the marketplace.

BALTIMORE—Mike DuBose's two-year stint as CEO of Vertis Communications will come to an end when he resigns on January 1. The company has named Stephen Dyott as vice chairman and Alex Sorokin the interim president, effective immediately. DuBose presided over the acquisition of American Color Graphics (ACG), as well as Vertis' reorganizational bankruptcy.

An explosion occurred at Flint Group’s manufacturing site in Slough, UK followed by a fire. The site was evacuated and the fire was quickly brought under control by local fire brigades. The cause of the explosion is not known yet.

FRANKLIN, VA—International Paper will permanently shut down its No. 3 uncoated freesheet paper machine here on Nov. 23 due to a decline in demand. The move will reduce IP's annual paper production capacity by 150,000 tons and cost 50 workers their jobs. Additionally, 60,000 tons of lack-of-order downtime will be taken out of the company's U.S. uncoated freesheet mills during the fourth quarter.

As a nation, we've witnessed dramatic financial swings over the last few years - from boom times to economic lassitude. Most frustrating of all, there's no foolproof way to predict the economy's next move. The only thing that is certain is change. Graphic communications service providers that have made the right investments are thriving in this challenging economy. They have invested in infrastructure and staffing to deliver profitable value added services. They have established annuity based programs with clients. They have developed super-efficient workflow to be the most cost effective provider. 

Join Printing Impressions, Barb Pellow and HP for this webinar, designed to share with you how graphic communications firms have repositioned their organizations for double digit revenue growth despite difficult economic conditions.

In the session you will also hear from graphic communications service providers and how they have:
* Retooled manufacturing to be come the most cost effective service provider
* Implemented "web to print" for customer self service and maximize customer service efficiency
* Re-engineered product and service offerings to drive annuity based programs

If you feel challenged in today's market, this webinar will share strategies to stabilize your business.

Mark your calendar and click here to register today!

MONTREAL—Domtar Corp. is permanently shutting down the paper machine and converting operations of its Dryden, Ontario, mill, reducing the company's annual paper production capacity by about 151,000 short tons of uncoated freesheet. The Dryden papermaking and converting operations are expected to cease by the middle of November, and it will result in the loss of 195 employees.