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Consolidation Clues
The lines between print processes are blurring, and as new technologies come to light companies that were your customers yesterday could become your competitors, or your owners, tomorrow. In the recent news (see stories below) we find an on-demand publisher buying a local book printer, and an instant lottery ticket printer buying a competitor. The recent Offset and Beyond conference in Toronto, hosted by the Web Offset Association and the PIA/GATF, attracted over 660 people, and for the first time included heatset web, coldset web and sheetfed offset printers at one event. Convention consolidation. There was a time when companies defined themselves by one type of service, but that is changing as sheetfed offset printers become digital printers or they buy web presses. And all types of printers are entering the sign and display business with digital inkjet wide format printers. Shops of all sizes are simply evolving to satisfy the broad requirements of their key customers.
Speaking at the Offset conference, Luc Desjardins, president and CEO of Transcontinental Inc. noted, "Consolidation is an ever-present reality, but it has been almost constant for the past 10 years." Desjardins cited the disappearance of 6,000 printing companies in North America between 1998 and 2004. "We should expect more mergers, and often among the biggest players," he added, also noting Transcontinental's position as the sixth-largest printer in North America. Hmmm.
We shouldn't be surprised by consolidation news, and more importantly, we should be keeping our eyes open to identify the clues and opportunities that present themselves to our businesses and make consolidation work to our benefit.
Response to our last e-newsletter comment regarding U.S. levies on Asian coated papers:
Dear Doug,
Canada's coated paper industry was devastated by the low-cost Asian imports. (Our older paper machines and higher cost labour did not help.) That is why we do not have a domestic coated sheet.
Most mass manufacturing is in trouble for similar reasons. Go to any big box retailer and try to find the 'made in Canada' items.
If, as you and Michael Makin say, we partner with American firms and export our Asian sheets, printed in Canada, it won't be long before that same duty is applied to Canada. As in the past, the US will demand a proof of origin and will duty that product accordingly. If you buy a US sheet, no problem.
The comment to take advantage of the Asian sheet price advantage may be taken with a grain of salt. Mr. Makin is, after all, the President of the PIA. He is there to protect US interests. If the tariffs are there to stay, he will lobby to have them applied to Canadian products printed on Asian sheets.
So where does that leave Canada? ... struggling to figure out how to deal with all the lost manufacturing jobs.
Regards,
Allan Lehto
Thunder Bay, ON
Last time we asked if you, our readers, have ever purchased anything online with a credit card. With an overwhelming 86% saying yes, it would appear the fears of online transactions are a thing of the past. So if you're still not considering incorporating online commerce into your business. Why not?
Here's our new poll:
Quick hits:
Record-setting Plate Changing
Commercial printer Rösler Druck in Schorndorf, Germany has set a world plate-changing record making 103 plate changes, involving 412 plates, within a 24-hour pressrun. The project involved printing 1,000 copies of a four-colour catalogue consisting of 2,800 pages. After every 1,000 good sheets were produced, a complete plate change was performed. The company was operating one of the first MAN ROLAND 700 DirectDrive presses, featuring servo-driven plate cylinders that disengage from the press's main drive, allowing simultaneous plate changing while the press auto cleans the blankets.
Recognizing Young Talent The Canadian Printing Industries Association (CPIA) is launching a Young Printer of the Year award open to those in the Canadian graphic communications industry who are 35 or younger and who demonstrate potential for a promising career in the industry through dedication, positive attitude and outstanding job performance. Nominations will be accepted until July 31, 2007. Judging will be by a panel of industry leaders. Membership in CPIA is not a requirement for entry.
The award will be announced at the closing gala of Strategy 07, Canada's national conference for the communications industry being held November 6-8 at the Westin Bristol Place Hotel in Toronto.
For more information contact Bob Elliott, president CPIA at 613-236-7208 ext 22 or belliott@cpia-aci.ca
High-speed Colour for DM Shop
Bassett Direct in Markham, Ontario, owned by Rich Bassett, a well-known veteran of the printing and direct mail industry, has installed a high speed, high volume roll-fed Xeikon 5000 digital colour press.
Fujifilm Canada Graphic Systems is seeking candidates for three roles:
Sales Support Specialist - Digital Printing
Technical Service Support Specialist - Digital Printing
Technical Service Support Specialist - Inkjet
The ideal candidate for the Sales Support Specialist Digital Printing role will have 3-5 years of sales experience in a digital printing environment, with exposure to a mixed offset/digital printing plant or been involved in the transition of a business from a pure offset to an offset/digital printing business. An individual with digital printing equipment sales experience will also be considered.
The ideal candidate for the Technical Service Support Specialist Digital Printing role will have either production experience in a digital printing environment (including variable data marketing tools and digital store fronts) or have a tremendous aptitude for the digital printing environment and how it differs from offset printing. This role will involve pre-sales demonstration, sample preparation and post sales professional services training at customer sites.
The ideal candidate for the Technical Service Support Specialist Inkjet will have production experience in a display printing environment (including media handling and colour management). Attitude and ability to work closely with the Sales Support Specialist Inkjet is essential. This role will involve pre-sales demonstration, product/media/ink testing, field support of customer ink/media issues and post sales professional services training at customer sites.
Trafford Publishing, the Victoria, BC-based on-demand publishing pioneer, has acquired Morriss Printing from Rolex Plastics Manufacturing Ltd., Vancouver Island's largest print shop and bindery.
"This lays the foundation for Trafford to expand and represents a significant step in our strategic growth plans," noted Trafford CEO, Gord Hooker in a company release, adding, "There will be no job losses and we are actively recruiting because of our rapid growth."
The company announced it will become the first book printer in Canada to install a Xerox roll-fed digital printing system.
AlphaGraphics, Inc. and Canadian-based Print Three Franchising Corporation, have formed a strategic cross-border marketing alliance. The print franchisors will target corporate accounts doing business across the border, incorporating Web-based functionality to distribute print files seamlessly between the countries.
"We feel that this strategic alliance with AlphaGraphics will bring a unique and much needed print offering in the North American market space," says Andrew Hrywnak, president of Print Three Franchising Corp.
AlphaGraphics is aligned with over 250 owner-operated centers, while Print Three has 60 locations across Canada.
New York-based Scientific Games, a global leader in the printing of instant lottery tickets, has acquired Montreal-based Oberthur Gaming Technologies (OGT), another manufacturer of instant tickets, for US$100 million.
With revenues of around $140 million, OGT operates instant ticket plants in Montreal; Sydney, Australia and San Antonio, Texas, with a combined capacity of approximately 13 billion instant tickets per year.
"OGT also has an important portfolio of printing-related intellectual property, as well as core competencies for extended play styles such as Bingo. Our goal is to offer increased customer service, while simultaneously improving efficiency, productivity and competitiveness through cost synergies," noted Lorne Weil, chairman and CEO of Scientific Games.
Remi Marcoux, founder of Transcontinental Inc., accepts the Harry Quadracci VISION award at the Offset and Beyond Conference in Toronto.
ON DEMAND Winners
THE ON DEMAND show in Boston bestowed two of its eight Best of Show awards on Canadian-based companies.
Avanti Computer Systems of Toronto received Best of Show in the MIS category for its CRM module and an honourable mention for its JDF framework. Above: Stephen McWilliam, vice president (left) and Patrick Bolan, president
Montreal's PAT Technology took home an award for its Varstar Digital UV coater. Pictured here: Wayne Baird, president (left) and Paul Hebert, both of PAT Technology.
Inca Digital Printers has demonstrated it's new Inca Onset, a large format flatbed UV inkjet printing system able to print over 100 full-size 10-1/2-x-5-foot sheets an hour. The machine incorporates an array of 576 Spectra printheads totaling 73,728 inkjet nozzles across a print bar.
Fujifilm has launched its new XMF Workflow, (incorporating the Adobe PDF Print Engine), for the European market. For a preview visit www.thefutureofworkflow.com
Agfa has announced that the next release of the :ApogeeX workflow, version 4.0., scheduled for release in June, will incorporate the Adobe PDF Print Engine.
At the ON DEMAND Expo in Boston, Kodak unveiled the NEXPRESS M700 Digital Color Press, an OEM of Canon's 70 ppm color imaging print engine (the Canon imagePRESS C7000VP). Kodak's comes with a scaleable NEXSTATION Front End and unique operator replaceable component capability. First delivery is expected by June.
Flint Group is acquiring Day International. Day will operate as a business unit within Flint Group. Combined revenues for 2007 are estimated to be US$3.32 billion.
Baldwin Technology Co. has completed its acquisition of Hildebrand Systeme in Switzerland, a manufacturer of web cleaning systems.
Goss International announced a third consecutive year of sales growth in 2006, reaching US$1.14 billion, with pre-tax earnings of US$61 million.
Ernest Green & Son Ltd, has signed a distribution agreement with MGI Digital Graphic Technology for the rights to distribute MGI's complete line of digital colour presses and finishing equipment across Canada.
Montreal-based Polkadots Software Inc., a prepress workflow developer, has signed an OEM agreement with ECRM Imaging Systems, whereby ECRM will take on Polkadots' NEWSflo solution to create WorkMates NEWS, a digital workflow for newspapers.
F.L.Smithe has introduced the ESP (Enhanced Servo Press)— the first totally servo-driven flexo printing press designed specifically for the envelope industry. It's capable of up to six colours of outside printing and two colours inside.
Ultimate Technographics Inc., the Montreal-based imposition software developer, has partnered with Gradual Software to combine Gradual's SWITCH automation software and Ultimate's Impostrip On Demand tool to provide digital printers with an automated imposition workflow solution.
The Ghent PDF Workgroup has released the free Ghent Output Suite, designed to help determine whether PDF workflows are handling PDF files as expected. To download the Ghent Output Suite visit http://www.gwg.org
Preflight specialists, Markzware, have released FlightCheck v6 for Macintosh that includes QuarkXPress 7 and Adobe InDesign CS3 support.
Bobst has introduced a new AccuBraille rotary embossing unit designed to emboss Braille characters on boxes during the folding and gluing process rather than using the platen press. The AccuBraille can run up to 240 meters per minute.
MAN Roland has launched an educational campaign on environmental sustainability, including a how-to guide entitled "How to make your pressroom more eco-friendly" and the sale of solvent recycling machines. To get more information visit http://www.manroland.com/eco
NAPL, the National Association for Printing Leadership has formed a strategic partnership with InfoTrends (formerly CAP Ventures), a market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solution. NAPL members will have access to InfoTrends content and consultants.
Exstream Software, Inc. has released version 6.0 of its Dialogue enterprise document automation software following a 15-month development cycle.
One Handy Press Specifications Guide IDEAlliance has combined leading edge of graphic arts guidelines and specifications into one booklet. The compilation includes SWOP 2007 (11th Edition), GRACoL 2007 (7th Edition), the G7 Process (1st Edition) and DISC 2007 (2nd Edition). Each Kit includes everything needed to produce proofs or press sheets that can be numerically and visually verified against SWOP and GRACoL specifications. Included are G7 Calibration Kits providing the tools you need to visually match proof to press.
For complete information visit http://www.printtools.org
New Media Opportunity for Printers The Industry Measure (formerly TrendWatch Graphic Arts) has released, "The Multichannel Mix—Print and Prepress: The Opportunities for Print and Prepress Providers in Today's New Media Landscape". This new report provides an overview of the new media landscape as it applies to commercial printers and prepress services providers. The 161-page report is available for purchase at http://www.theindustrymeasure.com for US$995. An Executive Summary is available for US$99.
PIXIs Return Xerox has launched its sixth annual Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging (PIXI) Awards. This year there is one worldwide contest rather than a separate European and American programs. The company is accepting entries now in four categories (collateral, digital books, direct mail and promotional/transactional). Entries will be accepted until midnight June 22, and must be produced using Xerox equipment. Submission is free, and the winners will be announced during Graph Expo (Sept. 9-12) in Chicago. Best of Show wins a $10,000 travel certificate. First place winners in each category receive $2,000 travel certificates. For an online entry form visit http://www.xerox.com/pixi
Stand Alone Print Awards Applied Arts magazine is launching a separate awards competition for printing this year. Full details on the print awards can be found at http://www.appliedartsmag.com/printing
The deadline for entry is May 18. The winners will be featured in an Applied Arts supplement published in January 2008.
Green With Envy Domtar is encouraging graphic designers, art directors, creative directors and corporate end-users to submit entries into its first ever Envy Awards. The printed work must be on Domtar papers. Eligible material must have been printed between November 2006 and December 2007. Contest participation is free. Entries can be submitted until December 31, 2007. The contest entry form is available at www.domtardesignercorner.com.
Call For Labels The XSYS Print Awards 2007 is calling for entries. Label converters around the world are invited to submit labels for evaluation. Judging criteria include registration, smoothness of dot/vignette, overall print quality and degree of difficulty. Entries must be printed using inks from XSYS Print Solutions. Entry deadline is August 10, 2007.
Winners will receive awards at Labelexpo in Brussels, September 29th. Visit http://www.xsys-printsolutions.com.
Mohawk Show 8 Mohawk Paper is accepting entries for Mohawk Show 8 for designs produced in whole or in part on Mohawk papers. The entry deadline is May 31, 2007. There is no entry fee, and the prizes include US$500 cash for finalists and US$5,000 cash for the five Best of Show winners. For details visit http://www.mohawkpaper.com
Mohawk Fine Papers is also launching a new quarterly Strathmore Letterhead Contest for letterheads and identity programs produced on Strathmore's premium writing grades. Second quarter entries are being accepted now through June 30, 2007. For every five entries submitted, printers will receive a prize, which will change each quarter. Entry forms can be downloaded at http://www.strathmore.com.
The Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) National Convention will be held in conjunction with the Canadian Newspapers Association (CNA) Convention in Winnipeg, from May 9 - 11. The events are being be co-hosted by the Manitoba Community Newspapers Association (MCNA). http://www.ccna.ca/convention/2007
The Digital Imaging Association in Toronto is holding a session on Wednesday, May 16, on the hot topic of Digital Large Format imaging, the technology, the market, the answers. The meeting will he at Apple Canada headquarters in Markham beginning with networking & hors d'oeuvres at 6:00 pm. The meeting will end promptly at 8:30 pm. To book now contact Marg Macleod at (416) 696-0151, or marg@digitalimagingassoc.ca
PIA/GATF is taking its Mission: Possible Seminar on the road this spring helping designers and printers work better together. Mission: Possible—A Mutual Strategy for Creatives and Printers covers topics including considerations for print and colour communication to soft proofing. The tour stops in Vancouver on June 21. More information is available at http://www.missionpossible07.com
The Supply Side, a marketplace for the latest in packaging products for the stationery, giftware and graphics arts industries, will run from May 22-23 at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The event is sponsored by the Greeting Card Association (GCA). http://www.thesupplyside.com
The Toronto Club of Printing House Craftsmen is holding its annual golf tournament on Wednesday, May 23rd at the Cardinal Golf Course. Tee off is at 10:00 am. The cost for golf and dinner is $150/person, ($175 if you take part in all challenges) Cost for dinner alone is $65. To register visit http://www.iaphc-toronto.com/golf
KBA North America is offering a comprehensive five-day seminar on lenticular printing and prepress work scheduled for May 29 to June 1 at KBA's headquarters in Vermont. Lenticular printing involves printing an image on the back side of lenticular plastic, allowing the eye to view alternating sections of multiple images to give the impression of 3-D, flip, or motion. Attendees will be exposed to theory and given hands-on production. For more information contact Crystal Flutur at 802-764-6140 or cflutur@kba-usa.com.
The key technology suppliers and players in the ink jet industry will converge in Barcelona, Spain at the Hotel Fira Palace for IMI Europe's Ink Jet Technology Suppliers Showcase 2007 on May 30 - June 1. This conference is open to anyone who wants to learn more about ink jet technology and its growing applications. Attendees will see, hear and meet the leading printhead manufacturers, ink jet ink manufacturers, chemical & materials suppliers, technology integrators and other specialists who will be exhibiting and presenting at the conference. www.imieurope.com
For those interested in the book business, check out BookExpo America being held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City from June 1- 3. For more information visit: http://bookexpo.reedexpo.com
CMM International 2007, a showcase and educational forum for the converting and package printing industries, will take place June 4th - 7th in Rosemont, Illinois. For more information contact Andrea Flaherty at (603) 891-9477 or andreaf@pennwell.com.
IPA, The Association of Graphic Solutions Providers, announced details of its 2007 Technical Conference, June 5 - 7 at the Westin O'Hare Hotel, in Rosemount, Illinois. As the industry' s leading premedia workflow conference, attendees will gain the skills and knowledge to integrate their physical and digital workflows.
FESPA, the European-based show for screen and digital sign printers, is being held June 5-9 in Berlin, Germany. The theme for FESPA 2007 is The Power Of Imaging. www.fespa2007.com
The trade event for the Canadian book business is BookExpo Canada held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, with a conference: June 8 & 9, and the tradeshow on June 10 & 11. For details visit http://reedexpo.ca/bookexpo
The Digital Imaging Association is holding its annual golf tournament Tuesday, June 12 at the exclusive St. Andrews Golf Club in Aurora. Contact Marg at marg@digitalimagingassoc.ca.
The Canadian Printing Industries Sector Council is holding its first industry forum on Monday, June 18th at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto. The topic is "Workforce Strategies in a Competitive Global Environment." The day-long event is free and lunch will be provided. For more detailed information visit http://www.cpisc-csic.ca
The R&E Council of NAPL is holding its Applied Technology Conference, June 20 -22, at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel in Atlanta, GA. The program includes sessions on on prepress, print, digital print, finishing and distribution. Registration is US$700 for members (non-members, US$800). For information call NAPL at (800) 642-6275, Option 4, or visit www.napl.org/events .
The PIA/GATF is host of the Print Sales and Marketing Executives Annual Conference being held June 24- 27 at the Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, Snowbird, Utah. This event combines education and networking, with four days of keynote presentations and breakout sessions on the key sales and marketing topics in the industry.
For more information visit http://www.smegroup.org or contact Justin Goldstein at (412) 259-1806 or at jgoldstein@piagatf.org
The 12th edition of EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK, the day-long conference held the day before Graph Expo, will take place on Saturday, September 8 at McCormick Place in Chicago. This year's theme is "The Printers' Success Quartet: Economics, Markets, Technology, People". Visit http://www.graphexpo.com
Graph Expo will be located at McCormick Place in Chicago from September 9-12. Visit www.gasc.org for more info.
IGAS (International Graphic Arts Show) is being held at the Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan from September 21 to 27. Held every four years, last time this week-long expo attracted over 120,000 visitors. For information www.igas-tokyo.jp
The Specialty Printing and Imaging Association Technology Expo will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from October 24–27. This show will feature the latest in digital wide format printing, screen printing and more.
Visit http://www.sgia.org
PIA/GATF is holding its Variable Data and Personalization Conference, November 4–6, in Phoenix, Arizona, helping printers plan strategy and learn new approaches, applications, and technologies. The conference has three seminar tracks: fundamentals, cross-media, and business. A hands-on Web-to-Print Boot Camp has been added on November 2–3. Visit www.gain.net (under "Events and Training")
Strategy 07 - Expanding Print Opportunities, Canada's conference for the printing industry, will be held November 6-8 at the newly converted Westin Bristol Place Hotel near Pearson International in Toronto. The conference will feature two seminar streams, an owner/CEO track and a technical/operations track. The conference will wrap up with a final session the morning of November 8th, ending just prior to the opening of Graphics Canada. The conference is open to all in the graphic communications world. For more information contact CPIA at belliott@cpia-aci.ca
Graphics Canada will be held at the International Centre in Toronto from November 8-10. For details visit http://www.graphicscanada.com
2008
PIA/GATF's Presidents Conference will be held March 2–6 in Cancun, Mexico. http://www.gain.net
Offset & Beyond 2008 will be held April 27-30 at the Renaissance Hotel just outside of Chicago in Schaumburg, Illinois. A co-production of the Web Offset Association and the Printing Industries of America/GATF. For more information contact http://www.gain.net
Drupa 2008 will be held from May 29 to June 11, 2008 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf Germany. There will be over 2.4 million square feet of exhibition space with an expected attendance of over 300,000. www.drupa.com
Stay tuned for information on travel packages to DRUPA offered exclusively through Canadian Printer.
For more events in your area, here are links to regional associations:
Keep up to date on the big picture of the printing industry in Canada with a voice you can trust in Canadian Printer magazine. The national business publication for printers since 1892, Canadian Printer is recognized for leadership on business issues and editorial integrity.
For more information get in touch with editor Doug Picklyk (phone: (416) 764-1530, email: doug.picklyk@printer.rogers.com).
For advertising and marketing opportunities, contact Susan Ritcey (phone: (416) 764-1509, email: susan.ritcey@printer.rogers.com).
Consolidation Clues
The Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) National Convention will be held in conjunction with the Canadian Newspapers Association (CNA) Convention in Winnipeg, from May 9 - 11. The events are being be co-hosted by the Manitoba Community Newspapers Association (MCNA). 
IPA, The Association of Graphic Solutions Providers, announced details of its 2007 Technical Conference, June 5 - 7 at the Westin O'Hare Hotel, in Rosemount, Illinois. As the industry' s leading premedia workflow conference, attendees will gain the skills and knowledge to integrate their physical and digital workflows. 
FESPA, the European-based show for screen and digital sign printers, is being held June 5-9 in Berlin, Germany. The theme for FESPA 2007 is The Power Of Imaging. 
Graph Expo will be located at McCormick Place in Chicago from September 9-12. Visit 
IGAS (International Graphic Arts Show) is being held at the Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan from September 21 to 27. Held every four years, last time this week-long expo attracted over 120,000 visitors. For information 
The Specialty Printing and Imaging Association Technology Expo will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from October 24–27. This show will feature the latest in digital wide format printing, screen printing and more. 
Strategy 07 - Expanding Print Opportunities, Canada's conference for the printing industry, will be held November 6-8 at the newly converted Westin Bristol Place Hotel near Pearson International in Toronto. The conference will feature two seminar streams, an owner/CEO track and a technical/operations track. The conference will wrap up with a final session the morning of November 8th, ending just prior to the opening of Graphics Canada. The conference is open to all in the graphic communications world. For more information contact CPIA at 
Graphics Canada will be held at the International Centre in Toronto from November 8-10. For details visit 
PIA/GATF's Presidents Conference will be held March 2–6 in Cancun, Mexico. 
Drupa 2008 will be held from May 29 to June 11, 2008 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf Germany. There will be over 2.4 million square feet of exhibition space with an expected attendance of over 300,000.