Freedom Graphic Systems

The value of all GPO work awarded during this period was $425 million compared to $421 million awarded in 2008. Work done by the top 50 suppliers was valued at $270 million during 2009 compared to $287 million in 2008.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA—There is a new king in the world of government printing and, appropriately enough, the current top earner for procuring the most work with the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) had to overthrow a Monarch in the process.

Of the more than 1,800 printers that obtained GPO work during Fiscal Year 2009, NPC (News Printing Co.) of Claysburg, PA, received the most work with $29 million awarded to it.

IWCO Direct Changes Hands CHANHASSEN, MN—Marketing specialist IWCO Direct is changing hands, with Avista Capital Partners acquiring a controlling interest in the company from Court Square Capital Partners. The transaction does not impact day-to-day operations. IWCO Direct’s executive management team will retain their shares in the company and continue to lead it. Donnelley Sheds Old Names CHICAGO—RR Donnelley has unified its printing and related services offerings under the single RR Donnelley brand. Moore Wallace, Moore Canada, Moore Response Marketing, Moore (in Latin America), OfficeTiger and the company’s network of North American commercial printing facilities have been rebranded as RR Donnelley. Rechristening for PIA New York AMHERST, NY—The

Neenah to Obtain Fox River ALPHARETTA, GA—Neenah Paper has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Fox Valley, which owns Fox River Paper. Terms of the deal, which had been expected to close in the first quarter, were not revealed. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is pending approval by Fox River shareholders. Neenah Paper will bolster its fine papers offering with Fox River brands that include Starwhite, Sundance, Esse and Oxford. Cadmus Nabs LN Printing RICHMOND, VA—On the heels of its acquisition by Cenveo Inc., Cadmus Communications has entered into an agreement to obtain LexisNexis’ conventional printing operations in Charlottesville, VA, and its digital

Printers Weigh Straight Presses vs. Long Perfectors KENNESAW, GA—More than 50 printers from around the U.S. attended a Heidelberg VIP Event December 5-6 at its Print Media Demonstration Center to see live demos comparing high-speed straight printing vs. long perfecting sheetfed offset presses. The event served as a follow-up to a panel discussion on the topic hosted by Heidelberg during Graph Expo. Following a brief presentation explaining how the job was prepared using Heidelberg’s JDF-based Prinect Printready System 3.0, the same job was run in the demo center on a six-color Speed- master XL 105 with coater in two passes and on a 10-color Speedmaster

Digital Press Strengthens Partnership CEDAR FALLS, IA—The joint purchase of a Kodak NexPress 2100 plus digital color press and Kodak NexGlosser unit has enabled Woolverton Printing and American Color Imaging to reach new customers in the photo services market. Since the installation, John Lynch, owner of commercial printer Woolverton Printing, and Mark Lane, owner of American Color Imaging, a professional photo lab, report they have strengthened their partnership and grown their businesses. Press Added for Lenticular Work FRESNO, CA—Big3D.com Worldwide has ordered a six-color MAN Roland 500 press with in-line coating and an extended delivery. The privately held company is a leader in lenticular and three-dimensional printing

Presses Head for Hawkeye State HIAWATHA, IA—Two 41˝ KBA Rapida 105 sheetfed presses with coaters have been installed at Cedar Graphics. The first press is a six-color Rapida 105 sheetfed press; the second is a 10-color, five-over-five Rapida 105 long perfector with a roll-to-sheet feeder. CALIFORNIA GLENDALE—Color Depot has installed a Kluge EHF series press. The print trade shop included the preload continuous magazine option that allows the machine to be reloaded while in motion (for continuous feeding). The EHF press will be used primarily for foil stamping and embossing small boxes and CD sleeves. SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO—A new six-color Komori Lithrone 28

Xerox Mourns Loss of Hatch ROCHESTER, NY—Gilbert J. Hatch, president of the Production Systems Group at Xerox Corp., died Aug. 26 after a long battle with cancer. During his 35-year career with Xerox, Hatch held a number of senior technical and general management positions in the United States and Great Britain. Allied Buys First "Drupa" Press MANCHESTER, CT—Allied Printing Services earned the distinction of purchasing the first Drupa-version large-format sheetfed press from KBA North America. The six-color, 56˝ KBA Rapida 142 press with aqueous coating is slated to be installed and running at Allied by the end of this month. Freedom Acquires MetroWebb MILTON, WI—Direct mail

CHAMBERSBURG, PA—Some established GPO vendors maintained their place in the latest list of the GPO's Top 50 volume producers. Keeping the top spot was Montebello, CA-based Monarch Litho, which saw a 27 percent increase in its winnings to nearly $33 million. News Printing of Claysburg, PA, also increased its GPO volume and ranks again as the second-largest producer of printing for the federal government. While familiar faces to this list are prevalent from top to bottom, there are always some new faces. Two examples: Colonial Press International, a commercial sheetfed printer in Miami, and Larco International, a laser imaging and mail house located in