Williamson Institute Proves Its Value Once Again DALLAS—Williamson Printing hosted the third Williamson Institute in February. The educational seminar provided printing knowledge to college students to help enhance their education within the graphic communications industry. Fifty students representing Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, the University of North Texas and Baylor University attended the seminar. CALIFORNIA ANAHEIM—Pacific West Litho has installed a new six-color, 40˝ Komori Lithrone press equipped with a ColorCommand temperature control/cooling system from TriService. AZUSA—A Steinemann Topspot 102 blanket coater has replaced two silk screen UV coaters at Classic Coating & Laminating. COMMERCE—The transition to a computer-to-plate workflow is complete
xpedx
Sun Chemical has named Wes Lucas CEO. He will continue in his role of president. Lucas succeeds Henri Dyner, who has stepped down after more than 28 years with Sun Chemical. Dyner will continue with the company on a part-time basis in an advisory role. CRC Information Systems has announced a new pricing system that will reduce the initial investment in CRC's management software, called The System. Under the new program, companies can acquire The System with no upfront license fee. The customer simply pays for training and software support. IST America has named Karl L. Schmucker web sales representative, responsible for end user applications. Before
BY CAROLINE MILLER It's not the size of the press that matters, but rather how you use it. There was a time when small-format sheetfed offset presses sat in the shadows. A workhorse, but nothing compared to their fast and flashy, 40˝ and larger brothers. Today, small presses are becoming the envy of the larger presses. The small press market has been the subject of intense technological development and, as a result, small presses, ranging in size up to 20x29,˝ now offer the features found on larger presses such as increased press speeds, makeready automation, networked systems and digital controls. In fact, with
Blue Ridge Paper Products has relocated its corporate headquarters. The new address is 41 Main St., P.O. Box 1429, Canton, NC 28716. The new phone number is (828) 454-0676. QTI became the first web auxiliary equipment provider to sell a closed-loop color control system in the Latin American market. At PRINT 01, Rotomagno SA de CV, of Guadalajara, Mexico, purchased QTI's Color Control System with Instrument Flight for its new four-unit Mitsubishi Diamond 16 web press. Newly formed distributor Enovation Graphic Systems has named Steve Gryder regional vice president, Central. Jim Purcell has accepted the position of regional vice president, Midwest. John Solwold was appointed regional
BY SCOTT POLK What do The Little Engine That Could, Allen Iverson and Vern Troyer (Mini-Me) all have in common? They're proof of the old saying that good things come in small packages. You can add another item to that list from the printing world, specifically small-format sheetfed offset presses. For small- and mid-size commercial printers, as well as quick and franchise printers, small-format presses are ideal since they provide a quality product with fast turnaround time, while meeting the requirements of a tight budget. Last year, A.B.Dick introduced one of these models, the 9995A-ICS, a line extension of its highly successful two-color 9995
Now there is a color digital production press to suit every printer's desire. Is it time to throw your hat in the ring? BY CAROLINE MILLER Color digital press manufacturers are setting their sights on the commercial printer. No longer is digital printing just for the on-demand and quick printing market segments; it has finally matured to the point where commercial printers can begin to seriously consider integrating these output devices into their business strategy. Today, digital presses offer print quality that is close to offset quality. The mix of improved quality, coupled with quick turnaround, speed and flexibility, is a recipe that
Marching Off to On Demand and VUE/Point NEW YORK—The On Demand 2001 conference and exposition is slated to run at New York's Jacob Javits Convention Center from February 28 to March 2. Over the course of the event, corporate printing professionals reportedly will learn about improving customer relationship management (CRM), increasing response rates with 1:1 marketing, outsourcing successfully and lowering costs while driving sales. Print-for-profit professionals will gain insight into the best migration strategies, the newest technology, what the competition is doing, as well as what corporate customers want next. The event managers have announced the addition of two more keynote sessions: "e-Printing
Xeikon, Chromapress User Groups Unite LAS VEGAS—Xeikon digital press users came together recently to hold the first annual meeting of the Xeikon Digital Printing Association (XDPA). Activities included the election of a board of directors for the new group, which was formed through the consolidation of the former Chromapress Printing Association (CPA) and the Xeikon Users Association (XUA). The primary reason for the merger was Xeikon N.V.'s acquisition of Agfa's Digital Printing Systems business unit. As a result, Xeikon America and Canopy LLC, Xeikon's North American distributor, took over responsibility for supporting Chromapress users. "XDPA brings together two groups that share common goals," notes
BY DENNIS E. MASON A search for a modern printing company is not likely to begin in Columbia, SC. But it should end there, with Crowson Stone Printing. Founded in 1923 as Crowson Printing, Crowson Stone became the state's first offset printer in the 1950s. Still a family operation, it is led by John K. deLoach III, the third generation on the Stone side of the business. The 50 Crowson Stone employees generate annual sales of nearly $6 million. deLoach experienced other sides of business before taking the reigns of the family print shop, including earning a degree in business and finance. He then
Being able to run a 20˝ (or smaller) sheetfed offset press without a broad operator learning curve tops commercial printer demands of press manufacturers. BY ERIK CAGLE Commercial Printers have felt the pinch recently, with the amount of skilled press operators seemingly dwindling each year. Rather than choosing from a long list of prospects to operate their presses, many employers are faced with few options. As a result of the tight employment market, printers seek equipment that doesn't require lengthy operator training sessions—one of several issues facing not only those who buy small-format (20˝ and under) presses, but also those who manufacture them. While
