The wait is over, Creo is now part of Eastman Kodak, and although the industry may gain from this new chapter I feel a sense of sadness for what Canada's lost.
The Vancouver-based company was, and is, a worldwide leader in the introduction of computer-to-plate to the commercial printing industry, and in some ways I feel it's been an under-appreciated Canadian treasure in terms of the research & development and the innovation brought to market by Canadians. When I meet editors from printing publications around the world they often associate Canada with Creo, and refer to it as a company they know well and admire.
Over the years Creo has become as distinguished for its products as for its youthful, forward-looking, management style. Managers and employees in general were empowered to make decisions and make things happen. Creo earned a reputation as a company that worked hard and played hard, fostered by its legendary House of Blues parties in Chicago, and at DRUPA 2000 in Düsseldorf, Germany (immediately following its acquisition of Scitex's prepress division) the company occupied a huge building and hosted a dynamic, floor-shaking party that took up four halls. In the past few years, as the industry has retrenched, we've seen Creo maturing into a more controlled free spirit. Increased competition in the CtP market and competing with consumables companies, like Agfa and Fuji, who were able to bundle their plate and equipment deals moved Creo into those waters in a fast way. By Drupa 2004 Creo was selling plates to complement its platesetters, along with its automated workflows, inkjet proofing, controllers for digital printing, scanners and digital camera backs. Creo also lifted the veil on projects like Traceless, a unique traceable substance for security applications.
Now the company becomes part of Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG), more specifically the Graphic Solutions & Services (GSS) offering (grouped with KPG and Nexpress) with the Creo portfolio spread throughout GSS's three divisions of: workflow & presspress, digital printing, and consumables.
Will the Creo name last? For now the Kodak name has already gained prominence (check out www.creo.com ), now it's "Creo, a subsidiary of Kodak". I'm sure by PRINT 05 in September more details will be ironed out. Will product consolidation occur (certainly we can expect that on the plate side)?
As for people, Creo's manufacturing facilities and R&D in Vancouver should be safe. Amos Michelson, CEO and Mark Dance, COO/CFO, will be gone, but Judi Hess, formerly president, has already assumed the role of vp/gm of the workflow & prepress group of GSS (she will remain in Vancouver) and Dan Gelbart (co-founder of Creo) stays on as a senior research fellow and special advisor to Jim Langley, president of (GCG). More Creo managers have also been given titles already. Creo recently held its users conference in Miami (pre-closing), and from speaking with one attendee, the event was very well attended (600) and the mood among users was very upbeat. Creo was open with its customers and shared insights into what the future may hold, but because these were closed-door meetings the rest of us will just have to wait. All we know is there will be a definite change in culture after being adopted by the older, grayer, Rochester-based Eastman Kodak. Creo will grow up very quickly, but hopefully the youthful energy of the Vancouver team remains.
We are a commercial offset printing company located in Orillia, Ontario,
servicing clients in Central and Southern Ontario, for over fourteen years.
We have a reputation in the business community as a competitive,
custom printer, offering excellence in customer service and product quality.
You will have active accounts, and a proven track record in servicing clients,
including excellent organizational skills, building relationship skills, oral and
written communication skills, and providing exceptional service to existing and
new clients.
This is an excellent career opportunity.
COMPENSATION PACKAGE IS AS FOLLOWS:
Base Salary + Commission + Car Allowance + Benefit Package
The Printing House has expanded its company into the Niagara Region after the acquisition of Copyman Print Shops in St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls as of June 7, 2005. The long-time owner of Copyman Print Shops, Andrew Ouellette is retiring and has chose The Printing House to purchase the business. "When we were looking for a company to buy our business we wanted a successful Canadian company that would continue to build on the legacy we have created in the Niagara Region," stated Ouellette.
Marketing Company Buys Printing Company
For years vendors have been saying that digital colour printing is not just printing technology, it's marketing technology, and now we're starting to see why. Montreal-based Komunik, a software development company specializing in marketing automation software, has acquired local digital printing company DDM Technologies.
Started in 2000, DDM operates a fleet of Digimaster black-and-white printers, a Nexpress 2100 digital colour press, and also runs small-format two-colour offset presses. DDM's expertise in personalized direct mail is the attraction for Komunik.
"Now marketers looking to deploy personalized, multi-channel marketing campaigns can work with one technology provider for all their channels," said Alain Paquin, president of Komunik.
DDM Technologies president Francois Paradis joins Komunik as a principal shareholder and as vp personalized printing. "Combining our printing and personalization expertise and cutting-edge technology with Komunik's relational marketing platform creates a best-of-breed offering for our clients combining interactive and direct marketing."
Francois Paradis, president DDM Technologies (left), and Alain Paquin, president Komunik.
Transcontinental Numbers
At the closing of its second fiscal quarter (April 30) Transcontinental recorded a slight fall in profits to $37.8-million from $39.2-million , on consolidated revenues of $558 million, up 7% over last year. Sales growth is attributed to acquisitions (JDM in the U.S.) and organic growth in the company. In its printing sectors, the company cites continued pricing pressure in commercial and book markets, while growth is evident in the company's Mexican operations.
CPIA President Moves On
Pierre Boucher
After four-and-a-half years as president of the Canadian Printing Industries Association based in Ottawa, Pierre Boucher is leaving the CPIA to return to the construction association where he previously spent 12 years as vice president. He will be assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer.
"It's never easy to leave," says Boucher. "I've made a lot of friends and colleagues in this industry."
Neil Fitzmaurice will be serving as an interim replacement as the CPIA board searches for a new president. The Association has cut back its budget significantly in recent years, and Boucher believes the solid executive will find the resources to take the CPIA to the next level.
Ryerson Program Selects New Chair
Ryerson University's School of Graphic Communications Management has named Dr. Abhay Sharma as the next Chair of the school for a term of five years, beginning July 1, replacing Mary Black who held the position since 1996.
Dr. Sharma comes to Ryerson from the University of Western Michigan, where he has been Associate Professor in the Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Imaging since 2001. He has a distinguished resume including a stint as senior engineer in colour and imaging technology for Fujifilm Electronic Imaging, UK.
SGIA Conference in Toronto
The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association, based in Fairfax , Virginia , held a one-day symposium in Toronto on June 15 th with a focus on integrating digital imaging technologies into screen printing operations. A group of around 50 attendees sat through overview sessions on digital technology and media and the markets being addressed. Emphasis was placed on new digital flatbed UV inkjet printers. More than one presentation suggested this segment of the market is showing very strong growth, and as speeds increase it will become an attractive alternative to screen printing with adoption anticipated by offset printers.
Pictured here is Michael Robertson, (right) president
SGIA,
and Brad Cumming of Environment Canada.
Cumming spoke about the success of a pro-active
voluntary program SGIA and Environment Canada
have undertaken in advance of pending sweeping
regulations.
OBITUARY
Industry Loses Howard Flint II
H. Howard Flint, II, the chairman and retired CEO of Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Flint Ink Corporation passed away on June 14 after a brief illness. He was 66.
Flint was born in Detroit, and was the grandson of the corporation's founder, H. Howard Flint. He began his full-time career at Flint Ink in 1964. In 1967 he was elected to the board of directors of the company. He was elected president and COO of Flint Ink in 1988, and chairman and CEO in 1992. In January 2005, Howard retired as CEO, assuming the position of non-executive chairman of the board of directors.
He is survived by three daughters, nine grandchildren; a brother, David B. Flint (Amber), and a sister, Marilyn Flint.
AWARDS PROGRAMS
Hemlock Takes Two Golds Congratulations to Hemlock Printers, of Burnaby, BC, for capturing two of the eight top awards at the Sappi Fine Paper 2005 North American Printer of the Year Gold Awards ceremony held recently in Quebec City. Eight gold winners were selected from 47 silver award winners, from an initial field of over 2,100 North American entries.
Hemlock's gold medals came in the books category, for a book of photographs by Linda Butler entitled, "The Yangtze Remembered", and the second gold was for a promotional booklet for the same project (pictured).
The only Canadian gold winner, Hemlock along with the other gold winners will represent North America at the Sappi International Printer of the Year awards this fall in China.
Pictured here is (l-r): Frits Kouwenhoven, managing partner, Hemlock;
Dick Kouwenhoven, president, Hemlock; Jennifer Miller, executive vice
president strategic marketing, Sappi Fine Papers North America, and
Brad Fleming, sales executive, Hemlock Printers
Webcom Claims First The Web Offset Association (WOA), a subsection of the PIA/GATF, announced the winners of its annual print award competition at its recent conference in Texas. Top Canadian winner was Webcom Ltd. of Toronto, claiming a first place award in the category of Best Bound Piece – Combination, for the University of Tampa Catalog (pictured). Webcom also won a third place for its piece Business Research, under the category Best Bound Piece, Heatset. Among the 20 categories, three other Canadian companies received second place awards. Gazette Press Ltd. of St. Albert, Alberta won with New Home Builders in Best Four-Colour Coldset Newsprint. For Best 4-Clour Coldset Non-Newsprint, Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distribution of Willowdale, Ontario won with their piece Luxury Wheels . And The Calgary Herald won Best Innovative Heatset Piece with their entry of Income Trusts.
PIXIs Deadline Near
Xerox is calling for entries for its 2005 Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging Awards (PIXIs). Categories include: Variable Print/1:1 Marketing Communications, Short-Run Digital Colour, Digital Books and Manuals, and Monochrome and Highlight Colour. Entries are due June 30 and must be produced using Xerox digital equipment. www.xerox.com/pixi
Golden Image Awards for Screen/Specialty Printing
All printer members of the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) may enter one submission at no charge in the association's 2005 Golden Image Awards Competition. Entry deadline is August 3. Award winners will be announced at SGIA '05, September 28-October 1, in New Orleans. For more information contact Jana McWilliams, (888) 385-3588 or convention@sgia.org
Claim a Wally
Synthetic paper manufacturer Yupo Corp. is calling for entries to its third annual Wally Awards, open to those who created a project on YUPO paper over the last six years. Winners receive a cash prize of US$1,000, a Wally Award statue and more. Deadline for entries is September 15. http://www.wallyaward.com Registration is free.
Creo CEO Amos Michelson was recently named British Columbia Technology Industries Association (BCTIA) Person of the Year at the 12th annual Technology Impact Awards gala, held June 8 in Vancouver. The company's thermal consumables team was also named Team of the Year for its contribution to the company's overall success in 2004.
Dainippon Screen has acquired Inca Digital Printers, the U.K.-based wide-format digital inkjet printer manufacturer.
EFI has completed its acquisition of VUTEk, Inc., manufacturer of superwide format digital inkjet printers, for approximately US$281 million.
X-Rite has acquired ICC Tools, a division of Saskatchewan-based printing company PrintWest, including software code and key personnel dedicated to colour management software.
A new company, Gradual Software, has been launched by Peter Camps, founder of Enfocus (since acquired by Artwork Systems), and Gradual has already acquired Danish company CaslonSoft and introduced Caslon Flow, a low-cost hotfolder-based automation tool for streamlining publishing workflows. www.gradual.com
Atlas Software, creator of PrintShop Mail and division of Objective Lune of Montreal, has announced its intention to acquire Techno Design to offer a web-to-print solution.
AccuWeb Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin has appointed Manutrol, Inc. to be the Canadian representative of its web guide systems.
Agfa, along with Thieme, Mutoh Europe and Xaar has introduced a series of wide-format and digital screen printing systems using Agfa proprietary inks; the new systems will become available Q3 2005.
Apple will begin delivering with Intel microprocessors in its Macintosh computers beginning in 2006.
Delphax has renewed its service contract for two years with Canadian cheque printer/supplier David+Henderson.
France-based Graphisoft has appointed PHI<>Proud as a distributor in Canada for its management information system.
Montreal-based Dynagram, has launched d/campus, a suite of training solutions for DynaStrip, its digital imposition software.
Heidelberg USA has opened a new Print Media Demonstration Center in Kennesaw, Georgia.
INX International Ink Co. is now an official MetalFX ink maker.
Raine Consulting Inc . has been acquired by K/P Corporation and is now called Raine Media Inc.
X-Rite has been chosen by Quark Inc. as its premier colour management solution partner for the QuarkAlliance program.
Xinet Inc. has launched WebNative Portal, a Web hosting application with enhanced security and greater flexibility for digital asset management systems.
Mohawk Paper Mills entire Strathmore writing line-up is now manufactured with wind power
Dr. George Liebermann, a senior engineering fellow at the Xerox Research Centre of Canada has been inducted into the Canadian Academy of Engineering organization, one of only 260 engineers with that honour.
Heidelberg is launching a new entry-level die cutter, the Varimatrix 105 CS.
The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) has published Computer-Integrated Manufacturing: Realizing the Benefits by Chuck Gehman, who writes an analysis into the benefits of CIM through Job Definition Format (JDF), Six Sigma, ISO and lean manufacturing concepts. Computer-Integrated Manufacturing: Realizing the Benefits ( NP 371) is US$29.95 for NAPL members; US$39.95, non-members. Visit NAPL's bookstore at www.napl.org/store/.
Who's Buying?
C. Barnes & Co. introduces a new listing of print buyer possibilities with its Print Buying 2005: Demographic Analysis of Print End-User Markets . The U.S.-based report includes individual sections on publishing industries, business services, manufacturing industries and retail/consumer business service industries, and each of these sections is further broken down by individual segments (ie. Manufacturing includes reports on: automotive, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, computers, and telecommunications). The entire Print Buying 2005 report is US$1,999. A full sector reports is US$999, and each individual industry report is US$299.00. Each report includes a PDF edition with an Excel version on CD. www.cbarnes.com
DUE DILIGENCE: Strategies for Successful Transactions is a session being held by the MIT/Schulich Enterprise Forum in Toronto, Wednesday, June 22 at the Ontario Club (Bay and Wellington) from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Cost for non-members is $45. Registration: http://www.schulich.yorku.ca//MITSchulichJune22
If you're interested in printing RFID tags then visit Smart Labels USA taking place June 27-30 at the Wyndham Inner Harbor Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland . http://www.smartlabelsusa.com
Thursday, July 7th is the day for the British Columbia Printing & Imaging Association (BCPIA) golf tournament being held this year at Morgan Creek in Surrey . Foursomes for members/guests is $760 or $190/each (non-members foursome$920 or $230/each). Includes golf, cart, halfway lunch and dinner. www.bcpia.org
The first conference for Adobe Creative Suite users is being held at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas from July 19-23 . The Creative Suite Conference - Las Vegas will give users an opportunity for hands-on product training of the new Creative Suite 2 (CS2). http://www.creativesuiteconference.com
The PIA is offering a workshop called Success with Stochastic Printing between June 27-29 in Pittsburgh , PA. Registration is US$895 for PIA/GATF members (US$,1095 non-members ). For more information, visit http://www.gain.net/conference (Keyword Search: 223).
Xerox and 25 industry partners are traveling across North America with its Innovate '05 tour, and the free seminar series hits Calgary, July 28th. 8:00AM - 4:30 pm at the Fairmont Palliser. www.innovate05.com
The International Association of Printing House Craftsmen is holding its 86th IAPHC International Convention August 9-14 in Jacksonville, Florida . For information https://www.iaphc.org
Xplor Canada's Central Chapter will be holding its annual charity golf tournament Thursday, August 11 at the Maples of Ballantrae Golf Club, in Stouffville, Ontario. www.xplorcanada.org
Print + Pack Expo 2005, SignEx 2005 and Imaging Convergence Expo 2005 are all scheduled for August 25-27 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, China. For details, visit www.printpackexpo.com .
The EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK Conference, "Creating FuturePrint Through Innovation and Technology" will be held September 8 in McCormick Place , Chicago, the day before the opening of PRINT 05. www.gasc.org
PRINT 05 & CONVERTING 05, the largest commercial, package printing and converting event in the world this year, featuring nearly 800,000 square feet of exhibits, and hosting almost 900 exhibiting companies from around the world. Print 05 will be partnering with Seybold Seminars' newly created, Seybold Chicago 2005, to offer additional educational sessions during the international event at McCormick Place, Chicago, September 9-15. For more information on PRINT 05 visit http://www.gasc.org . For more about Seybold visit http://www.Seybold365.com
Labelexpo Europe 2005 is being held September 21-24 at the Brussels Expo, in Belgium. For details visit http://www.labelexpo-europe.com
The Canadian Printing Industries Association CPIA Annual Convention is being held September 28 to October 1 in Montreal . The theme for this year's event is Print: Trends and Realities! Earlybird registration is $625, along with a lower rate for companions and an additional charge for a day of golf. For more information contact the CPIA through http://www.cpia-aci.ca
SGIA 05, the Specialty Printing & Imaging Technology Show, dedicated to screen printing and large format digital printing, is being held September 28 - October 1 in New Orleans . Large format output is the name of the game at this show. Up to 15 percent of last year's attendees were commercial printers. For more information visit http://www.sgia.org/sgia05
The Ink on Paper conference, hosted by UK-based PIRA, hosts sessions on innovations in ink, paper and press technology. The two-day conference will feature a line up of scientists from paper mills, ink suppliers and press manufacturers. The conference is September 28 and 29 at the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana. www.pira.co.uk
The International Card Manufacturers Association's ICMA Annual EXPO will be held October 16-19 at the Eden Roc Resort in Miami. This is the big event for the plastic card manufacturing industry. For further information visit http//www.icma.com .
IfraExpo 2005, the annual European event of the newspaper industry, will be held in Leipzig, Germany October 17-20 . For more information visit www.ifra.com
Graphics Canada, the national printing trade show, will be held November 10-12, at the International Centre in Toronto. Visit www.graphicscanada.com
The Xplor International Vision 2005 Conference, a three-day event, November 11-13, at the Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida. The conference is open to all Xplor International and PIA/GATF members, as well as industry professionals from the electronic document, commercial printing and communications industries. For more information: www.xplor.org/leader05
Labelexpo Asia 2005 is taking place in Shanghai, China between December 7-9 . For more information, visit http://www.labelexpo-asia.com
2006
The 31st annual Graphics of the Americas trade show is co-locating with Xplor International 's Global Conference to be held February 3-5 at Miami Beach . www.graphicsoftheamericas.com.
The next meeting of the PIA/GATF Presidents Conference will be March 12-16 in Oahu, Hawaii at the J.W. Marriott. www.gain.net
IPEX 2006 is taking place from April 4-11th, 2006 at the NEC in Birmingham, UK
http://www.ipex.org
For more events in your area, here are links to regional associations:
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For more information get in touch with editor Doug Picklyk (phone:
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For advertising and marketing opportunities, contact Susan Ritcey,
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H. Howard Flint, II, the chairman and retired CEO of Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Flint Ink Corporation passed away on June 14 after a brief illness. He was 66. 
The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) has published Computer-Integrated Manufacturing: Realizing the Benefits by Chuck Gehman, who writes an analysis into the benefits of CIM through Job Definition Format (JDF), Six Sigma, ISO and lean manufacturing concepts. Computer-Integrated Manufacturing: Realizing the Benefits ( NP 371) is US$29.95 for NAPL members; US$39.95, non-members. Visit NAPL's bookstore at 
C. Barnes & Co. introduces a new listing of print buyer possibilities with its Print Buying 2005: Demographic Analysis of Print End-User Markets . The U.S.-based report includes individual sections on publishing industries, business services, manufacturing industries and retail/consumer business service industries, and each of these sections is further broken down by individual segments (ie. Manufacturing includes reports on: automotive, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, computers, and telecommunications). The entire Print Buying 2005 report is US$1,999. A full sector reports is US$999, and each individual industry report is US$299.00. Each report includes a PDF edition with an Excel version on CD.