The World Through Your Eyes

Perception is reality, and the image of the printing industry hasn't been looking so good lately. What more can be said about the Quebecor World situation that hasn't been reported in the mainstream media? I have heard that suppliers to Quebecor World are keeping a close eye on those accounts. And from the customer side, Canadian Printer as a division of Rogers Publishing is a customer, and the message has been, "business as usual."

The real pity about this situation is the bad mark it's leaving on the printing industry. Most every newspaper report cites the ailing industry as the source of Quebecor's woes, pointing out declining demand for printed material, overcapacity and cut-throat pricing.

It's all true to one degree or another, but by oversimplifying the situation and painting the entire industry with this brush, it places other printers in a bad light.

If print buyers perceive desperation, perhaps they second guess their use of print, or even the price they're paying.

As a printer, big or small, you may think Quebecor World's problems are none of your own, but the huge swath they cut and exposure they generate does reflect on the entire industry.

Keep your customers close. Make sure they know that QW's troubles do not reflect the state of the industry in your neighbourhood. So long as you're adding value to your customers' work and making them look good, you're doing your part—keeping the perception of the entire industry strong.

Doug Picklyk
Editor, Canadian Printer

Poll

In the last newsletter we asked, "when's the last time your job title changed?" As you can see above, almost 40 percent of our respondents experienced some form of job/title change last year, and the number jumps to over 50 percent over the last two years. What does this tell us? The printing industry has changed dramatically in the past 10 years, even the past four, as digital technologies influence workflow and output. Jobs aren't remaining static, and neither are workers. If you're an employer, do your best to keep your employees engaged, or their job titles might change along with their employer.

One reader's comments: "I believe we will have a lot of people that had their title changing during 2007. In the printing industry, we have to do more with less people. ... When cuts are happening, you move the good people to protect them, you give them new titles and push them forward."

Quick hits:

Japan's Recycled Scandal
Blaming a shortage of quality used paper to recycle, some paper manufacturers in Japan have been found guilty of reporting false ratios of used paper in products being sold as recycled paper.
The Japan Times Online (http://www.japantimes.co.jp) reports that 17 of 38 member companies in the Japan Paper Association made false claims.
"We regret that so many companies were involved in the falsification," said Shoichiro Suzuki, chairman of the association. "We intend to do our utmost to restore consumer trust as soon as possible," he added.

Do you love print?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VpAuDrs5ocg
Three minutes and thirty-six seconds of video featuring Warren Werbitt, owner of Pazazz Printing in Montreal, sharing the pain and pleasure of being in the printing industry. Pure enjoyment.

Paper from Poo
A handmade paper maker in India is growing his business thanks to recyled fibre being left behind by wandering elephants. An article in The Telegraph from India, reports that Vijendra Singh Shekhawat discovered five years ago that there is a lot of fibre in elephant dung, and has since developed a way to make the most out of it. The discovery has been a boon to his business, and he's having success selling his "elephant poo" paper abroad.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080108/jsp/nation/story_8755892.jsp

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News:

The Latest from Quebecor World
Thanks to court approval in both Canada and the United States, Quebecor World Inc. continues to operate as a going concern in North America. It's European and South American operations are also continuing to run in a business as usual manner with the exception of its UK facility which is closing down. Filing for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in Canada and Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, allows the company to time to reorganize to get the most value out of its operations for all stakeholders. Financing commitments with Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley for an overall injection of $1 billion allows the Company to cover wages and ongoing expenses.

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Seen and Heard:

The Toronto Chapter of the IAPHC (Craftsmen Club) held its annual student awards night January 23rd . The dinner and celebration, featuring a brief talk by Canadian Printer editor Doug Picklyk, honoured students who displayed excellence in their respective graphic arts related programs.

The 2008 annual Chia Tse Memorial Education award presenters and winners (l-r): Bill Kidd, instructor with Eva's Phoenix and IAPHC Toronto board member; Matthew Santos, Eva's Phoenix program; Mike O'Reilly, Ontario Graphic Communications Training School (Union School); Alexx Swanson, Humber College program in digital design and printing technology; Diana Brown, Ryerson University's Graphic Communications Management program; and Rael Fisher, Toronto's IAPHC president.

The organizers of drupa hosted a pre-drupa Media Week in mid-January in Düsseldorf, Germany, hosting 130 journalists from around the world, including Canadian Printer. Although the presenters (including: Heidelberg, Kodak, Fujifilm, Xerox, EFI, Screen, Domino, Ricoh, Presstek and Dalim Software) all shared company strategy and vision, few were forthcoming with real new product information—expect the surprises at drupa, May 29-June 11.

Bill Lloyd, chief technical officer with Kodak (above), shared some details of the Kodak Stream Concept Press that will premiere at drupa, featuring all-new continuous inkjet technology, printing what Kodak is calling "offset class" quality at speeds exceeding 500 feet-per-minute.

Heidelberg's senior vice president global marketing, Adriana Nuneva (above), shared some branding strategies and indicated that Heidelberg will dedicate an entire hall to packaging print. She promised some surprises in the Anicolor technology area.

Xerox introduced a new monochrome continuous feed engine, the 650/1300, the fastest in their portfolio, printing at 300 feet-per-minute. Valerie Blauvelt, vice president marketing (above), promised technology demonstrations at drupa featuring new inkjet products from Xerox, along with key announcements/partnerships with a packaging focus.

If you're still on the fence about attending drupa (May 29-June 11 in Dusseldorf, Germany), call 1-888-drupa08 (378-7208) for travel package options. Thank you to Messe Dusseldorf for the event photos above.

Supplier News:

• Agfa is ceasing development and production of CtP equipment at its location in Wilmington, Massachusetts, instead it has extended its OEM relationship another CtP manufacturer. New models, replacing its Avalon brand, will be available at the drupa. The Wilmington move affects some 150 employees.
  
• HP has agreed to acquire Exstream Software, an American based company specializing in personalized document publishing, well known in the enterprise and transactional printing environment. HP also announced record annual growth for its Indigo division. Indigo page growth increased 45 percent overall from 2006 to 2007
  
• Markzware, developer of preflighting software, and Enfocus/Artwork have reached an agreement to resolve all pending litigation between the companies. Details of the settlement remain confidential.
  
• Cascades has sold its coated fine papers manufacturing plant in Thunder Bay, Ontario to Thunder Bay Fine Papers Inc. As part of the deal, Cascades will contribute $4.5 million to support the start-up of the plant which it halted in January 2006.
  
• The International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) organization and the Networked Graphic Production (NGP) Partners are merging with the functions of NGP converging into CIP4.
  
• Prism Group, a developer of management information systems for the printing industry, has signed a distribution agreement with LithoTechnics, developer of Metrix workflow integration and automation software.
  
• Heidelberg is introducing the palletizers of Winkler+Dünnebier AG into its product portfolio offering to address the folding carton and printing market. The palletizers will be sold under the brand name "Winkler+Dünnebier"
  
• Dynagram, the Quebec-based developer of imposition software, has signed OEM agreements with RIP developer Xitron and ctp provider HighWater Designs, both divisions of Vanguard Graphics International (VGI), a holding company that also includes Printware, of St. Paul, Minnesota
  
• Spiel Associates introduced a table-top automatic plastic coil binder that feeds, cuts and crips, the Sterling Coilmaster Jr. (view video at http://www.spielassociates.com/Videos/CMJr.wmv)
  
• Gandinnovations has launched a UV curable white ink.
  
• EFI has released the Fiery XF for the wide and superwide format printing market.

Canadian Printer E-News

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).

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