Print Solutions December 2006
INDUSTRY NEWS
Study: Global Card Market Sees Growth
The North American region leads the world in the total number of cards manufactured, while Europe continues to be the most lucrative market measured in dollars, according to the annual card manufacturing global market survey by the International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA).
The survey measured the number of cards manufactured and market volumes in 2005. Major findings revealed that approximately 14.7 billion cards were manufactured globally in 2005, an 11.4 percent growth rate. The global card market, in U.S. dollars, increased 11.5 percent to $9.1 billion, as a result of microprocessor chip card growth. The regions surveyed were North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East/Africa. The products surveyed were plastic cards of all thicknesses, including traditional cards.
Worldwide production capacity has significantly increased, the survey said. This is partly due to the national ID programs being implemented throughout the world, new contactless credit cards and contactless transportation cards (trains, buses and subways).
Study: Printers Ready to
Invest in New Equipment
The Industry Measure (formerly TrendWatch Graphic Arts) released its annual report, “Printing Forecast 2007: The Industry Measure Perspective on the Challenges and Opportunities for the Printing Industry in the Next 12 Months and Beyond.” According to the report:
- In fall 2006, 22 percent of commercial printers said business conditions for the past 12 months had been “excellent,” better than they have been in the 12 months before that.
- Twenty-nine percent of commercial printers expect business conditions in the next 12 months to be “excellent,” or better than they had been in the past 12 months.
- One-third of all print and prepress establishments surveyed said they planned to invest in new printing equipment in the next 12 to 18 months.
- In summer 2006, three out of 10 graphic design and production establishments expected business conditions in the next 12 months to be “excellent.”
R.R. Donnelley Signs Deal With UAE Commercial Printer
R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company signed a joint venture agreement with Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing Ltd., a leading financial and commercial printer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to form Al Ghurair Donnelley LLC. The agreement, which is effective immediately, gives both companies access to printing and financial communications resources that extend from UAE to Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing has a comprehensive print and finishing platform in Dubai.
Ward/Kraft Opens New Division, Launches Die Cut Indigo Labels
Ward/Kraft Inc. announced that WK ShortRun and Creative Technology Center have created WK Commercial, the company’s newest division. WK Commercial has a Karat 74, Indigo 3050, and a Ryobi 3404 DI capable of a wide variety of color printing. The division offers a variety of substrates, photo quality up to 2540dpi, quick turnaround, and quantities from one on up. The division has offline bindery equipment to support product lines such as presentation folders, posters, multiple panel brochures and postcards. Ward/Kraft Inc. also introduced pre-die cut labels printed on its full-color digital offset press. The manufacturer offers seven designs with both round and square labels. Pre-die cut labels are a cost-effective solution for short run, 4-color labels. Photo-quality print with short run capabilities make the labels ideal for a variety of markets, including distribution, retail, manufacturing, education and direct mail.
Four51 Announces Application Upgrade
Four51 Inc. released its latest upgrade to its Four51 system, which includes features such as a buyer “Super User” permission, the ability to clone users and increased password security. The “Super User” permission capability allows Four51 administrators to enable certain buyer users with the ability to manage some of their own administrative functions. The system now offers a choice of three password security settings, allowing the Four51 administrator to apply the setting that is most appropriate for their buyers.
InnerWorkings Acquires Applied Graphics
InnerWorkings Inc. acquired privately-held Applied Graphics Inc., a West Coast provider of print management and print-on-demand services. Applied Graphics has sales offices in California and Hawaii, and its offerings include print-on-demand, commercial printing and marketing solutions. In 2005, Applied Graphics employed more than 35 sales representatives and generated revenues of approximately $29 million. It served about 1,000 corporate clients, utilizing a network of more than 400 supplier partners.
Deluxe Launches Fraud Protection Tool
Deluxe Financial Services launched Deluxe ID TheftBlock 2.0, an advanced fraud recovery and protection tool offered to consumers on behalf of financial institutions. The tool offers two levels of protection—Deluxe ID TheftBlock Basic, a fraud recovery solution, and Deluxe ID TheftBlock Plus, a fraud detection and prevention solution. The basic version provides multifaceted recovery assistance to victims of identity theft. After fraud occurs, a team assists victims in detecting additional fraud and works to stop additional fraud loss. The Deluxe ID TheftBlock Plus offers consumers monitoring and protection services, including daily credit report monitoring and security alerts.
Printable Technologies Introduces Online Retail Tool
Printable Technologies Inc. launched PrintOne Retail Store, which provides commercial and quick printers with an online retail presence for selling generic printed goods and services, including print-on-demand, inventoried products, and mail list purchasing. The PrintOne Retail Store is a flexible online order center that enables users to browse a generic product catalog, upload images, submit a print job, pay with a credit card and review order history.
Avery Dennison Profits Fall
Avery Dennison Corp. reported net income of $85 million for the third quarter compared with $86.2 million in the prior year. Net sales from continuing operations for the third quarter were $1.42 billion, up approximately five percent from $1.36 billion for the same quarter last year.
International Paper Plans Russian Venture
International Paper Co. signed a letter of intent with Ilim Pulp, Russia’s largest forest products enterprise, to establish a 50-50 venture, creating the largest foreign-domestic alliance in the Russian forest sector, according to an AP story. Under the deal, International Paper will buy a 50 percent stake in Ilim, which operates four pulp and paper mills located in the European and Siberian regions of Russia. The venture, which will be headquartered in St. Petersburg, will invest about $1.2 billion in the four mills over five years, upgrading equipment and boosting production capacity.
Weyerhaeuser Reports Q3 Results
Weyerhaeuser Company reported third quarter net earnings of $211 million on net sales of $5.3 billion. This compares with $285 million on net sales of $5.4 billion for the third quarter 2005.
Xerox to Acquire XMPie
Xerox Corp. agreed to acquire XMPie for $54 million. XMPie is a leading provider of variable information software, which enables cross-media, personalized marketing programs. These programs combine communication outlets such as digitally printed direct mail, the internet, email and other methods to reach customers with customized marketing materials that are relevant to the individual recipient and generate higher response rates. XMPie, which employs about 60 people, will keep the company’s headquarters in New York and its research and development facility in Netanya, Israel. The majority of XMPie employees are expected to join Xerox. XMPie is Xerox’s second acquisition this year. In July, Xerox acquired Amici LLC, a leading provider of electronic-discovery services, primarily supporting litigation and regulatory compliance.
Office Depot Buys Chinese Firm
Office Depot said it has agreed to buy a controlling interest in AsiaEC, an office products and services dealer in China. Based in Beijing, AsiaEC has offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Its 500 employees support contract sales, direct mail and internet businesses. AsiaEC offerings include office supplies, technology, furniture, custom printing and promotional items and business services. Office Depot didn’t disclose financial terms of its agreement.
Domtar to Cut 18 Mill Jobs
Domtar Inc. said that it will lay off up to 18 mill employees in Baileyville, Maine, over the next few months, according to a story in the Bangor Daily News. The layoff is not part of the agreement that Montreal-based Domtar reached with Weyerhaeuser Co. in August to combine its fine-paper business with the Canadian papermaker. The Baileyville mill produces northern hardwood pulp and business and printing paper products.
