Quad/Graphics

Safeguard Acquired by NEBS DALLAS—New England Business Service (NEBS) plans to acquire Safeguard Business Systems in a $72.5 million all-cash transaction. The cash proceeds will be used to acquire all company stock, as well as to retire revolving loans and term loans with Safeguard's financial institutions. Safeguard will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary. This is a strategic move for both companies, allowing each to create competitive advantages in the marketplace. The company employs approximately 850 people, primarily in Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Milwaukee Paper Gets KBA Press MILWAUKEE—The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has installed three new Commander presses by KBA North America. The presses

By Erik Cagle HARTFORD, WI—Talk about a classical case of bad timing. Pat McDermott was standing in line, waiting to enter the post exchange on a peaceful Sunday at Camp Udairi in the northwest desert in Kuwait on March 30. McDermott, 45, a finishing handler with Quad/Graphics' Hartford, WI, facility as a civilian—but now stationed in Kuwait as part of the war effort in Iraq—was looking to pick up a Timex watch that featured three time zones on it. Some fellow soldiers had been sporting them, so McDermott decided to get one up for himself and shop for incidentals. Little did McDermott know that he would

By Mark Smith With the exception of New Year's Day, an annual conference may be the most natural time for reflection. Industry movers and shakers come together to recognize past accomplishments and take stock of the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead. Printing Impressions set out to do a little of each, as well, in this section produced especially for the Web Offset Association's 51st Annual Management and Technical Conference. On the eve of his retiring as WOA executive director, we take a look back with Tom Basore. Jerry Williamson, chairman of Williamson Printing, also shares his reflections upon being selected the 2003 recipient

By Erik Cagle Don't get Jerry Williamson wrong. The chairman of Dallas-based Williamson Printing loves being involved with printing industry associations. But truth be known, Williamson feels the associations have done as much for him and his company as he has done for them. And that is saying a lot. "If you keep your eyes and ears open, (participating in associations) can be very rewarding," notes Williamson, selected the 2003 recipient of the Harry V. Quadracci VISION award by the Web Offset Association (WOA) of Printing Industries of America. "The friendships and business acquaintances that I've made have been invaluable." The award is given

Workflow Management Gets CEO PALM BEACH, FL—Gary W. Ampulski has been appointed president and CEO of Workflow Management. Ampulski brings to the position strong financial performance and hands-on experience in printing systems and services. Most recently he served as president and CEO of TAB Products, Vernon Hills, IL, a publicly held company. There he reportedly improved operating results, enhanced the management team, reduced costs and increased shareholder value by more than 175 percent in less than two years. California Printers Merge WATSONVILLE, CA—ColorAd Printers and Watsonville Press have joined forces to form PRINTWORX, which offers digital prepress, proofing and printing options. The new company has

OKLAHOMA CITY—Quad/Graphics has accelerated the timetable for launching its new gravure operations, located here. "We are encouraged by growing client interest in our newest location and confident that the timing is right to pull the trigger on gravure in Oklahoma City," says Tom Quadracci, president and CEO of Quad/Graphics. Two new 108˝ Cerutti gravure presses will be installed and made production-ready in 2004 rather than in 2005, as previously announced. The two gravure presses will complement the two web offset presses that will start up this summer when the company officially opens the facility. Currently, the printer is constructing Phase I to house its initial web offset

Kinko's Buys ImageX DALLAS—Kinko's has acquired ImageX for approximately $16.5 million in cash. ImageX finished the fourth quarter with $12.3 million in cash and total assets of $25.2 million. Kinko's will use ImageX's technology to enhance its DocStore and Kinkos.com offerings. Kinko's does not now offer an online system by which customers can order business cards or stationery. But that will change once the acquisition is completed. Watchtower Adds Web Presses WESTMONT, IL—The Watchtower Society of the Jehovah's Witnesses is set to install seven MAN Roland Lithoman web presses in July, with two going to the U.S. and one each slated for Mexico, Brazil, England, South Africa

LOMIRA, WI—Quad/Graphics has been cleared by both the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the Wisconsin Department of Commerce (DOC) for any responsibility in the July 12, 2002, collapse and subsequent fire at the printer's Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) in Lomira, WI. In its report, the DOC found deficiencies in the design, engineering supervision, welder qualifications and materials used by professionals and contractors hired to erect the ASRS. ASRS Building The ASRS building, which was more than 700 feet long and 100,000 square feet, was built in 2002. It had a capacity of 30,008 pallets. Six crane aisles housed

Quad Opens Regional Center SAN FRANCISCO—Quad/Graphics plans to open its newest regional imaging service center here next month. The new center, located in the China Basin area on the east side of the San Francisco peninsula, will become the 16th site in Quad/Graphics' imaging network of regional service centers, customer service centers, processing centers and print centers. The San Francisco site will offer clients face-to-face customer service and on-site color management and output services. Banta Boosts Fulfillment Centers MENASHA, WI—Banta Corp. will open a fourth packaging and fulfillment operation in the Fox Cities. The 210,000-square-foot facility, now under construction, is being developed by Warehouse Specialists and leased

The Label Printing Industry Association (LPIA), a special industry group of the Printing Industries of America, recently inducted William Smyth Jr., of Smyth Companies, St. Paul, MN, into the LPIA Hall of Fame. The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) recently completed a total revision of the competencies that form the basis for instruction in PrintED, a national accreditation program for graphic communications at the secondary and post-secondary levels. In addition, GAERF has begun developing a national exit exam for students in PrintED classes to accommodate its adoption as a state-mandated program. The National Council for Skill Standards in Graphic Communications has announced