MONTREAL—Quebecor World signed a multi-year agreement to print Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, a growing monthly magazine with a print run exceeding 750,000 copies published by Newsweek Budget Travel. The pact also allows for the printing of two annual "Girlfriend Getaways" special issues. The Budget Travel volume is new business to Quebecor World, which has printed the West Coast editions of Newsweek's flagship title for 15 years.
The Southern California printing scene is taking a big hit with the loss of two well-known names in the industry. Anderson Lithograph of Los Angeles, one of the most prominent printers in Southern California, has been consolidated into ColorGraphics by its parent company, Cenveo Inc. In a letter to customers, Anderson Litho President Mark Tennant said the move is in response to the economic downturn.
MARIETTA, GA—The EPI Companies, which ranked 112th on the 2008 Printing Impressions 400 list with sales of $51 million, has gone out of business. A vendor of EPI Companies, speaking on the condition that he not be identified, told PI that the general commercial and direct mail printer had closed its doors recently.
NORWICH, NY—A fire broke out at Sun Printing last Friday night when the exhaust fan on a press overheated and set a nearby pile of paper waste ablaze, according to The Evening Sun. None of the 16 employees on duty were injured. Employees were able to douse the flames with fire extinguishers but the Norwich Fire Department needed to dismantle the chimney from the building's roof to ensure the fire was out, the paper reported.
THE NEWS on April 15 that Cenveo was closing Anderson Lithograph and merging it into its Los Angeles-based ColorGraphics facility marked a sad day for the U.S. printing industry. With a national reputation dating back to 1951 as a provider of ultra-high-quality web and sheetfed offset output; highly responsive customer service; and an unwavering commitment to sustainability—long before environmental stewardship became fashionable—Anderson Litho was an industry stalwart.
WHEN JOHN Sandstrom passed away in 1990, his eight children were suddenly left in charge of his printing operation. Having grown up in the graphic arts business, the Sandstrom siblings took the reins of their family’s Milwaukee-based business, HM Graphics.
WHAT IS there not to love about the state of Pennsylvania? “This is the land of Ben Franklin, and his most conspicuous craft is printing,” notes Eric Roberts, director of sales for Philadelphia-based Bartash Printing. Roberts echoes his fellow Philadelphia-area and eastern Pennsylvania printers when it comes to the chief advantage they enjoy as businesses: the ability to reach as far north as New England and as far south as the Carolinas.
Printing Impressions' Commercial Printer News for May 2009
Many graphic communications service providers feel the need to improve their "competitiveness" in an economic downturn by dropping their prices. While print sales may decline in a recession, lowering prices only results in a lower contribution margin and ultimately, a loss of profitability. Savvy graphic communications service providers are exploring business strategies that add value for customers and improve their bottom line.
This webinar - part three in the three-part "Thrive! In 2009" webinar series - will provide an up-close and detailed look at some pricing strategies that address risk adversity, proof of concept, and value. It is based on InfoTrends' survey of more than 160 print service providers. Barb will then moderate a panel discussion with three print service providers about how they maximize margins by focusing on value delivered.
Click here to view this webinar today!
LOS ANGELES—The printing community in Southern California has suffered a jolt with the loss of two very familiar names.
