Williamson Printing

Fall is prime time for professional sports, and many fans are too well acquainted with the sentiment, "Just wait until next year." For years, the same could be said for proponents of variable data printing (VDP). Early adopters of VDP often ended up with a great service in search of a market. Over time, the Web-to-print business model came to the forefront. It evolved around providing online, template-driven solutions for companies that market through remote agents, dealers and distributors. As the market continues to mature, a growing number of digital printing operations are developing other formulas for success. Daniels Marketing Support Services, Asheville, NC

Cream Rises to the Top This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Printing Industry Hall of Fame, which is co-sponsored by Printing Impressions and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) School of Print Media. Having played a part in the selection process these past two decades, it's a blur when I think back on all of the industry heavyweights we've honored over the years. I fondly recall former powerhouses like Frank Beddor, The Beddor Cos.; Curtis Bourland, Continental Graphics; Quebecor's Pierre Peladeau; Mark C. Pope III, of Graphic Industries fame; and, of course—among our inaugural class in 1986—the late Harry V. Quadracci, founder

PITTSBURGH—In celebration of the final stage of the consolidation of Printing Industries of America and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation into one organization, a dedication of the newly renovated world headquarters was held recently. Chairman of the Board James Mayes Jr. and Michael Makin, president and CEO, cut the ribbon marking the entrance to the newly refurbished building. Another highlight of the event was the naming of the Ray Roper boardroom, in honor of the late PIA president. CHICAGO—Jesse Williamson has been named the 2005 Sheetfed Executive of the Year by NAPL and PIA/GATF. Williamson, president of Williamson Printing in Dallas, received the award

DALLAS—Williamson Printing has activated what is reportedly the largest Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 102 press in the world. The 40˝ SM 102 12P+LX has 12 printing units, plus coaters, and has the ability to print six colors on both sides of a sheet, six-over-five with dual-side coating, and 12 colors in-line with aqueous coating. A redesigned Preset Plus feeder system reduces setup time when changing stocks, as well as increasing net output and running speeds, particularly when printing on difficult substrates. Additionally, modular coating units located throughout the machine provide maximum production capabilities and specialized applications. "With this new technology, we will be able to produce the

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2004. Therefore, companies that revised their 2003 revenues may have changed their 2003 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 51 ('03: 52) PBM Graphics, Research Triangle Park, NC Total Sales (Millions): $113.50 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $102.20 Change (%): +11 Principal Officer: Terry L. Pegram Employees: 900 Primary Specialties: COM 85%; PUB 5%; PREP 5%; ADV 5% Web Offset Press Units: 11 Sheetfed Press Units: 90

Future of Print Extends Beyond PI 400 Printers Although this special issue features our annual ranking of the 400 largest printing companies in the United States and Canada based on annual sales, the future of print itself is a topic that's just as important to the quick printer located in Anytown USA as it is to the establishments that made the Printing Impressions 400 list. Printers of all sizes must unite to support various initiatives that help promote our industry. One still-emerging effort is The Print Council, a business development initiative dedicated to promoting the greater use of print media through education, awareness, market

By Erik Cagle Senior Editor Sure, the calendar says November, but there's little doubt that spring is in the air for the commercial printing industry. One of the sure signs of an economic thawing in the United States is the spending confidence being showcased by some of the industry's biggest players. Williamson Printing, of Dallas, is one such company leading the charge out of the post 9/11 funk. Jerry and Jesse Williamson are two of the most well-known figures in printing—virtual celebrities in their profession. Both have more than 35 years of experience. The brain trust at Williamson Printing: Jerry Williamson (standing), chairman

arizona PHOENIX—Roswell Bookbinding has installed a Muller Martini Monostar perfect binder with inline Zenith three-knife trimmer; a Brehmer high-speed Smyth sewer; and the Optigraf Opticontrol print recognition system. california FREMONT—Spectrum Lithograph has purchased the Kawahara TXR- 1100 series blank separator. Spectrum Lithograph utilizes the new investment for blanking packaging boxes, CD wallets and more. MODESTO—A Rilecart PB-796 automatic punch bind machine has been chosen by John F. Turner Co. for production of calendars. The installation was performed by Pigna America. connecticut HARTFORD—Lebon Press has announced its expansion of services with the installation a six color, 40˝ Heidelberg Speedmaster press complete with perfecting and

By Mark Michelson Editor-in-Chief The rain may have made it a bit more difficult for visitors to maneuver between the 17 halls during the first week of the 14-day Drupa 2004 trade exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, last month, but that surely didn't dampen the spirits of the reported 394,000-plus attendees. Nor did it keep the 1,862 equipment, software and consumables exhibitors representing 52 nations from showcasing their latest R&D and product development efforts. And while there may not have been any one "blockbuster" piece of equipment or technology that everyone at the show was buzzing about, there surely was an assortment of new product

By Erik Cagle At the age of 82, you would think that a day at the office for F. Edward Treis would be a weekly drop-by around 10 a.m. for a cup of coffee and some handshakes with the sales force before returning home shortly after noon. But the chairman of the board for Menomonee Falls, WI-based Arandell Corp. is hardly a figurehead. Sixty years after friends on a sailing holiday convinced him to give commercial printing a try, he is still involved with the day-to-day operations of the company. Suffice to say, the ship has long since sailed on Treis ever retiring. "I