Print Solutions Headlines

May 09, 2008
Berman Printing Merges with TouchPoint
Donnelley Reports Q1 Results
Cenveo Announces Q1 Results
InnerWorkings Announces Q1 Results, $50 Million Share Repurchase
New Postal Prices Coming May 12
Datatel FSC Certified

May 02, 2008
Standard Register Elects New Board Members and COO
Small Business Concern about Economy Won't Affect Spending
Quebecor Appoints Chief Restructuring Officer
Creative Automation Announces Reforestation Program
VistaPrint's 2008 Q3 Revenue Rose 53%, Introduces Websites for Customers

April 25, 2008
Two Envelope Companies Get Green
Wisco Announces New Teller Helper Designs
How's Business?
Office Superstores as Competitors

April 18, 2008
A Lesson on California's Proposition 65
Wolf Envelope Co. Celebrates 85 Years
Printable and Kodak Form Alliance
Office Depot Launches Line of Green Office Supplies

April 11, 2008
Custom Index Gets FSC Certification
SAGE Names Director of Sales & Marketing
USPS High-Speed Sorters Get Faster
E-Commerce Grows at Xpedx
RISO to Plant 100,000 Trees

April 04, 2008
Maine Printing Company/MPX Gets FSC Certification
AB&C Group, BlueSky Go Out of Business
Standard Register Launches Online Rx Pad Ordering System
Custom Label Printer Wins Award
Paper Recycling Hits Record High
Avery Dennison Acquires Label Company
Amazon Tightens Grip on Printing

March 28, 2008
Check 21: Void Pantographs Called Into Question
MeadWestvaco Revamps Corporate Identity
WBF Prescription Pads Exceed CMS Requirements
Wisco Launches 6 x 9 Standard Window Envelope
Ennis Develops National Sales Team
ASB Conference Aims to Connect Generations
USPS to Improve Address Quality
Data Source Buys Automotive Forms Management Firm
Glatfelter Announces NatureSolv Guarantee
Company Uses Wind Power to Produce 100M Envelopes
Mimeo.com Launches Publishing, Document Distribution Tool

March 21, 2008
International Paper to Purchase Weyerhaeuser's Packaging Business
Small Distributor Summit Draws Record Turnout
Staples Plans Hostile Bid for Corporate Express
Patented Process for Customized Catalog Production
Standard Register Expands California Facility
All Barcode Systems Announces Partnership with Niceware
USPS Launches Free Recycling Mail Plan
Staples Makes FSC-Certified Recycled Paper a Standard Offering
Consolidated Graphics Acquires N.C. Commercial Printer
Conformer Media Mailer Passes USPS Automation Standards

March 14, 2008
Prograde Receives FSC Certification
Standard Register to Provide Prescription Pads to Medical Association
Record Turnout at the 5th Small Distributor Summit
Digital Technology Creates New Opportunities
MaverickLabel.Com Launches Value Stickers Product Line
Paris Business Products Meet Medicaid Requirements
Dupli-Systems Announces New Capabilities
Ken May Resigns as CEO of FedEx Kinko's
Datatel Resources Achieves SFI Certification
All Barcode Systems Announces Partnerships

March 07, 2008
GPO Continues Eco-Friendly Efforts
Flint Announces Price Increase for Plates
All Barcode Systems Announces Partnerships
Pitney Bowes Launches Consulting Service
Printable and Canon Announce Reseller Deal

February 29, 2008
InnerWorkings Q4 Profit Surges
R.R. Donnelley Reports Q4 Loss, To Buy Insert Maker
USPS Launches Larger Box With Flat Price for Shipping
Standard Register Reports Q4 Loss
VersaSeal Announces New Canadian Stock Check
Colorado Facilities to Operate Under Ennis Brand Name
Glatfelter Achieves 3 Certifications, Launches Website
Office Depot Q4 Profit Drops

February 22, 2008
IWCO Direct To Manage HSBC Direct Mail Program
Corporate Express Rejects Staples' Bid
Wilmer Introduces New Line of Stock Integrated Products
Canadian Paper Mills Report Increase in Recycled Paper Sales
Promotional Products Co. Launches Eco-Friendly Items
Advanced Marketing Partners Acquires Ace Computer Essentials
HP Q1 Profit Rises 38%

February 15, 2008
Pushing Paper Out the Door
Staples Cuts Off Paper Supplier
CEOs Exchange Know-How in Tucson
After Adobe, FedEx Enables Shipping Through Microsoft Outlook
Electric City Printing to Provide Fitness Events Materials to Rodale
N.Y. Printing Company Closes
Quebecor World Signs Agreements With New, Existing Customers
Ward/Kraft Wins Awards
Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations
Shamrock Acquires Promotional Products Distributorship
USPS to Increase Stamp Price May 12

February 08, 2008
USPS Reports Positive Net Income Despite Volume Drop
NCPDP Releases Document on Tamper-Resistant Prescription Pads
Ennis Joins Connect Four51 Network
Corporate Express Denies Buyout Talks With Staples
GPO Uses Digital Signature to Authenticate Federal Budget
Corporate Express Truck Fleets to Use Biodiesel
DSI Selects DemandBridge for Operations, eProcurement Software

February 01, 2008
Avery Dennison Reports Q4 Loss
Ikon to Cut 350 Jobs, Q1 Profits Fall
Wilmer Prescription Pads Meet Medicaid Requirements
Consolidated Graphics Reports Q3 Profit
Deluxe Q4 Profit Declines
WorkflowOne's Charlotte Facility Earns ISO Certifications
4 Vertis Direct Mail Facilities Get FSC Certification
Domtar's Cougar Goes Green
Cosmic Images in Braille for Blind Readers
Images to Data to Offer Printing, Scanning Services to American Red Cross

January 25, 2008
Car Owners May Send Forms to Wrong Address Due to Printing Error
Prescription Drug Council to Release Document on CMS Requirements
Standard Register to Provide Prescription Pads to Miss. Medical Association
Printegra Upgrades FormSource Laser Cut Sheet Check Products
Arthur Blank to Use Contactless Payment Technology
Japanese Paper Mill Falsified Recycled-Paper Ratios
HP to Acquire Exstream Software, Targets VDP Market
IPG Acquires Wright Business Forms
Quebecor World Gets U.S. Approval for $750M Loan

January 18, 2008
Diploma Mill Case: Former U.S. Marshal Charged
R.R. Donnelley Signs $200M Deal With European Directories S.A.
Appleton to Explore Sale of BemroseBooth
NewPage to Cut 660 Jobs in Stora Enso Deal
Staples to Provide Office Products at Democratic National Convention
InnerWorkings Signs 3-Year Contract With Newell Rubbermaid
OfficeMax Opens Several New Stores
Consolidated Graphics Fills CFO Position
Standard Register to Help Hospitals Adopt Electronic Medical Records

January 11, 2008
Canon Integrates Regional Subsidiaries
Xerox Introduces New Logo
Mark Tucker is Ward/Kraft President

January 04, 2008
Genoa Business Forms Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Cenveo To Acquire Packaging Company
Nekoosa Enhances Uniform 20# Heavyweight Carbonless Sheets
MPE Expands Capabilities
ASB Forms Stewardship Committee
Alstyle Apparel Introduces Logo
Arthur Blank & Co. Offers Secure Bank Cards
USA\Docufinish Launches Apparel Division

Berman Printing Merges with TouchPoint 05/09/08
M&A specialist The Open Approach, Westmont, Ill., announced it has secured a deal for client Berman Printing to become part of TouchPoint Print Solutions--a group that aggregates the resources of select graphic arts providers. Founded in 1935, Berman Printing is one of the first commercial printers in Cincinnati. Berman joins other TouchPoint Print Solutions companies, CoakleyTech and NSO Press, suppliers to a range of Fortune 100 companies and global brands. Berman is one of the few printers nationwide with a 10-color perfecting press.

Donnelley Reports Q1 Results 05/09/08
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. reported first quarter net earnings of $182 million on net sales of $3 billion compared to net earnings of $138.9 million on net sales of $2.8 billion in the first quarter of 2007.

Cenveo Announces Q1 Results 05/09/08
Cenveo Inc. this week announced results for the quarter March 29. Sales increased 29% to $534.3 million from $414.7 million in 2007, primarily due to acquisitions. The company reported a net loss of $3.4 million, compared to net income of $18.1 million, in the first quarter of 2007.

InnerWorkings Announces Q1 Results, $50 Million Share Repurchase 05/09/08
For the three months ended March 31, revenue grew 48 percent versus the first quarter of 2007 to $87.2 million; operating income rose 53 percent to $5.8 million; net income increased 45 percent to $3.9 million, up from $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2007. The company increased its sales force through the addition of 15 new account executives during the quarter, increasing the total to 232. InnerWorkings Inc. also announced this week a $50 million share repurchase program and an increase in its liquidity position resulting from the expansion of its revolving credit facility and the sale of a portion of its equity investment in Echo Global Logistics, Inc. The company has a new $75 million three-year revolving credit facility and has sold 25 percent of its holdings in Echo Global Logistics, Inc. for $5 million in cash. The company also announced that COO Eric D. Belcher has been promoted to president. He joined the firm in 2005 as EVP of operations. He had been COO and CFO of MAN Roland.

New Postal Prices Coming May 12 05/09/08
On May 12 the Postal Service will adjust prices for its services. While the most visible change is the 1-cent increase for First-Class letters, the changes are broader and include prices that could save you money when shipping some packages: Full Story.

Datatel FSC Certified 05/09/08
Datatel Resources Corporation, a Monaca, Pa., manufacturer of 50"jumbo rolls, laser cut sheets, long run custom forms and high color print with UV, has attained Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain-of-custody certification. The company now has two certifications, having earned SFI certification earlier in the year. FSC is a global organization that promotes well managed forests by ensuring forestry practices are environmentally responsible, socially equitable and economically viable.

Standard Register Elects New Board Members and COO 05/02/08
Three new board members and a chief operating officer were elected at Standard Register on Monday, and five incumbent board members were re-elected. Joe Morgan, the new COO, has worked for SR for seven years. He most recently managed the company's On Demand Solutions Group. David Bailis, a new board member, runs his own consulting company and was a senior executive VP at First Data Corp. Michael Kohlsdorf, another new board member, is president and CEO of Aderant Holdings Inc., which works in the legal field. He was previously a senior VP at IKON. Eric McCarthey, the final new board member, is president of Coca-Cola's 7-Eleven Global Business team. The re-elected members are David Clarke III, Roy Begley Jr., Dennis Rediker, and John Sherman II.

Small Business Concern about Economy Won't Affect Spending 05/02/08
A FedEx Kinko's small business survey found that 89 percent of small business owners polled were moderately to very concerned about the current economy's impact on their business, but decreasing their marketing and advertising budgets is not a likely course of action. In fact, 92 percent said they will either keep their spending the same or increase it this year. The online survey, conducted in March with nearly 500 small business owners and decision makers, also found that 66 percent foresee flat or falling profits in 2008 and 41 percent are considering more spending on marketing and advertising this year.

Quebecor Appoints Chief Restructuring Officer 05/02/08
Randy Benson was named chief restructuring officer of Quebecor World Inc., reporting to the board of directors' restructuring committee. He most recently served as chief restructuring officer for Hollinger Inc., and for Ivaco Inc. before that. He also held senior management positions at Call-Net Enterprises-Sprint Canada Inc., Parmalat Canada and Beatrice Foods. Quebecor World Inc. is subject to court protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in Canada, and some U.S. subsidiaries have filed for bankruptcy.

Creative Automation Announces Reforestation Program 05/02/08
Creative Automation, a leader in direct mail printing and database management services, announced a reforestation program during the month of June. The company is partnering with American Forests for the program, which will apply to all orders placed during the month of June with the Graphics Printing Division at Creative Automation. For every $5,000 print production order, Creative Automation will plant 25 trees through American Forests in the name of that customer. There is no limit on order size; for example, a $200,000 order would equate to 1,000 trees planted in the customer's name  through American Forests, whose community-based initiatives help people plan and implement local actions that restore and maintain healthy ecosystems and communities, including tree planting, urban forestry, environmental education and community-based forestry.

VistaPrint's 2008 Q3 Revenue Rose 53%, Introduces Websites for Customers 05/02/08
VistaPrint announced revenue for the third quarter of FY 2008, which ends June 30 for the company. Revenue grew more than $106 million year-over-year, the company said, compared to last year's quarter total of $69.3 million. Nearly 40 percent of revenue came from websites targeting non-U.S. markets. Gross margin fell from 65.1 percent for the same period in FY 2007 to 61.3 percent in FY 2008.

The company also launched a web site product on Monday for small businesses, which will allow customers to create a custom website with a VistaPrint tool in a few hours, representatives said. The custom sites will be programmed to match customers' existing collateral purchased from VistaPrint, and are available in more than 250 designs and in three service and structure packages.

Two Envelope Companies Get Green 04/25/08
The Wolf Envelope Company, Troy, Mich., has earned chain of custody certification from three forestry standards groups: FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). Triple certification provides assurance that Wolf has implemented environment friendly paper procurement procedures by obtaining paper from sources that have been awarded this chain of custody certification, the company said.

Envelope Mart USA, Northwood, Ohio, has undertaken several green initiatives including FSC and SFI certification, says company President Norm Shapiro, citing the firm's interest in working with clients that believe in the importance of environmentally responsible business practices. He said that Envelope Mart has continued this theme by offering more recycled products, products that are manufactured with wind power, and shifting from traditional printing inks to "eco smart" inks that have much lower voc's.

Wisco Announces New Teller Helper Designs 04/25/08
Wisco introduced eight new designs to its teller helper catalog and portfolio. The new products feature updated graphics designed to attract attention and cross-sell various financial services for drive-in customers. Product options include up to 4-color process printing, multiple sizes and styles, and latex or remoistenable glue flaps. Wisco also offers distributors sales kits to be used as a leave behind with financial institution customers. Call (800) 777-9677 for details.

How's Business? 04/25/08
An informal survey of business conditions among more than 100 PSDA members on the association's listserver this week showed mixed attitudes. Net sales for the first quarter of this year compared to Q1 last year were up for 42 percent of the respondents; 35 percent said sales were down and 23 percent said sales were flat. Gross margins were up for half of the respondents; 25 percent said margins were down and the remaining 25 percent said they were flat. Three quarters said they were "making some money"; 17 percent were just "breaking even" and eight percent said they were losing money. The survey was conducted by Jim Anderson, president of Corporate Development Associates in Scottsdale, Ariz., who plans to repeat the survey each quarter.

Office Superstores as Competitors 04/25/08
DMNews reports that office supply superstores are becoming big players in the printing business. About 63% of Office Depot's sales volume is office supplies, but printing "is a growing portion of the business," says Randy Pianin, SVP of Office Depot's design, print and ship division. In fact, he explains, the company has pinpointed this area as one of its priorities for future growth. Full story

A Lesson on California's Proposition 65 04/18/08
Neil Rosen, president of Brooke Business Forms Supplies Inc., recently received an order for 1,000 standard-sized mugs from a new customer. Rosen asked a vendor he had previously worked with to complete the order. Last week, when a CSR from Brooke Business Forms called the vendor to confirm the order, the vendor said that the company doesn't ship to California. "The vendor had to conform to Proposition 65, but they could not do it," Rosen says.

Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase. In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known by its original name of Proposition 65.

"The vendor said that it could not label the mugs, and now we had to scramble," Rosen says. That same day, Brooke Business Forms found a vendor based in Washington state that conformed to California's Proposition 65. In future, Rosen plans to find out from vendors if they comply with Proposition 65.

Wolf Envelope Co. Celebrates 85 Years 04/18/08
The Wolf Envelope Company is celebrating 85 years as a full-service custom envelope manufacturer. The company began operations in Cleveland in 1899. In 1923, it opened an operation in Detroit to better serve the growing automotive industry. Today, Wolf's corporate headquarters are located in Troy, Mich. Its main manufacturing facility is located in Angola, Ind., with an additional plant in Hattiesburg, Miss. It has obtained chain-of-custody certification from both the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Forest Stewardship Council. Wolf serves Midwest companies that require large volumes of envelopes and their distribution to a variety of locations.

Printable and Kodak Form Alliance 04/18/08
Printable Technologies Inc., a provider of integrated marketing, web to print and personalized direct marketing solutions, and Kodak's Graphic Communications Group  announced the integration of Printable's FusionPro Web product with KODAK EMS Business Software. Together, these products help customers navigate complex environments that include digital print workflows, fulfillment and mailing operations, and campaign tracking and reporting. Full story.

Office Depot Launches Line of Green Office Supplies 04/18/08
Office Depot launched its new, environmentally preferable line of office supplies called, "Office Depot Green." The line includes recycled-content copy paper, notepads, notebooks, file folders and envelopes; recycled-content paper towels and tissues; refills for writing instruments; energy-efficient light bulbs; remanufactured ink and toner cartridges; furniture manufactured with less chemicals; recycled-content chairs; Energy Star-certified technology; and non-toxic cleaning supplies. The products are available online and at 1,200-plus Office Depot stores.

Custom Index Gets FSC Certification 04/11/08
Custom Index, a manufacturer of index dividers and folders, received the Forest Stewardship Council chain-of-custody certification. The company offers custom indexes, legal exhibit dividers, filebacks, fasteners, file folders, pocket folders and more. It also offers a variety of stock and custom papers.

SAGE Names Director of Sales & Marketing 04/11/08
Edison Dane, an advertising veteran, has been hired to manage SAGE's sales and marketing departments to further develop the SAGE brand while enhancing sales and overall company revenues. Dane has more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing and advertising.

USPS High-Speed Sorters Get Faster 04/11/08
The Postal Service Board of Governors has approved funding to purchase technology to postmark letters faster and sort them smarter. The 550 Advanced Facer Canceller System (AFCS) machines will replace existing sorters that use technology from the 1980s. The AFCS machine is 15 percent faster, applies barcodes, and processes broader-sized letters before sorting them to one of 12 destination bins. The new equipment, which is more energy efficient, will be deployed between May 2010 and July 2011.

The board also approved funding to purchase 400 computer systems to replace the existing National Directory Support System (NDSS) and the Integrated Data System (IDS). The NDSS contains the nation's 148 million addresses and downloads ZIP code directories to more than 13,000 letter, flat and parcel sorting machines weekly. The IDS collects and distributes operational and management data to help the USPS achieve optimum machine performance. It also provides mail sorting information that's shared with business customers. Deployment of the new IDS-NDSS computer systems begins in January 2009 and will be completed in July 2009.

E-Commerce Grows at Xpedx 04/11/08
Printing supplies distributor Xpedx said that its 2007 e-commerce sales reached $1.4 billion, with online orders making up more than half of its total volume, according to a story in the Business Courier of Cincinnati. The company said that 5.8 million orders were placed online during the year, up 12 percent over 2006. Xpedx recently introduced a new online catalog search tool, an upgraded web site and a quick-order site, xpedxstores.com, which is available in some of its retail outlets. The company also will continue to form alliances with other firms to improve its e-commerce services.

RISO to Plant 100,000 Trees 04/11/08
RISO Inc. is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 100,000 trees over the next four years. The trees will help replenish national forests damaged by fires or disease and will be planted on behalf of RISO's customers and resellers.

Maine Printing Company/MPX Gets FSC Certification 04/04/08
Maine Printing Company/MPX received the FSC chain-of-custody certification under the Scientific Certification Systems' Forest Conservation Program. This certification allows MPX to provide its clients with print products that carry the FSC logo, ensuring that the fiber used to produce these products can be traced through the supply chain to an FSC-certified well-managed forest.

AB&C Group, BlueSky Go Out of Business 04/04/08
AB&C Group, Ranson, W.Va., went out of business officially on March 14, along with gift retailer The Paragon, puzzle merchant Bits and Pieces, the National Wildlife Catalog and Winterthur, a collectables retailer, when parent company Blue Sky Brands went bankrupt. None of the websites is taking orders at this time. According to news reports, BlueSky, which is owned by Chicago-based equity firm Reliant Equity Investors, has not officially filed bankruptcy papers. Representatives from Reliant, including Managing Director Thomas Darden, who sits on the Blue Sky board, have refused to comment.

"To my knowledge, there weren't any big indications that something was going on," said Curt Barry, CEO of F. Curtis Barry & Co., Richmond, Va., which helped some customers find new fulfillment centers after the closing. "They had cash flow problems and just couldn't pay their bills."

During the first week in March, AB&C alerted customers that it was having some financial issues and was seeking new sources of funding. The heads-up left many customers scrambling for a new fulfillment house, and those who didn't take heed were surprised the following week. About 400 people worked in AB&C distribution and call centers in W. Va., and about another 150 in the Orange, W.Va. call center.  According to some reports, some employees had not been paid in three weeks. Several employees have filed lawsuits for their benefits and wages in at least two West Virginia circuit courts. | MORE

Standard Register Launches Online Rx Pad Ordering System 04/04/08
Standard Register launched an online system for ordering its full line of tamper-resistant prescription pads. The web site introduces a new level of security, easy ordering for physicians and free shipping on all online Rx pad orders. The site provides secure order entry online, automatic medical license validation and online proofs, and also allows practitioners to check order status and track shipments. The prescription pads are printed on proprietary security paper in secure facilities by bonded, authorized personnel, and the finished product is locked and under 24-hour surveillance.

Custom Label Printer Wins Award 04/04/08
The Courier Corp. honored In-Touch Direct Inc. of Falmouth, Mass., with its Vendor of the Year award to recognize the company's excellence in designing and printing custom labels. In-Touch Direct offers 1- and 2-color labels, foil-stamped labels, laminated duro labels, 4-color process labels, laser labels and more.

Paper Recycling Hits Record High 04/04/08
A record 56 percent of the paper consumed in the United States was recovered for recycling in 2007, the American Forest & Paper Association says. Total paper recovery reached 54.3 million tons in 2007, equaling 360 pounds of paper for every man, woman, and child in America. That's enough paper to fill the Empire State Building 100 times. While Americans already recycle a large percentage of two paper grades, corrugated containers and newspapers, the AF&PA is aiming for a 60 percent recovery goal by 2012. This requires a focus on increasing recovery of other grades, including printing and writing papers, catalogs and direct mail, and extracting additional fiber from waste streams.

Avery Dennison Acquires Label Company 04/04/08
Avery Dennison Corp. acquired DM Label Group, a manufacturer of woven labels headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. DM Label Group has 11 manufacturing facilities in six countries, including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and the United States. Its core products include woven labels, printed labels, accessory tapes, hang tags, heat transfer labels and "skin touch" fabric ribbon tape.

Amazon Tightens Grip on Printing 04/04/08
Amazon.com Inc. notified publishers who print books on demand that they will have to use its on-demand printing facilities if they want their books sold on Amazon's web site. New terms imposed by Amazon appear to push publishers toward Amazon's BookSurge subsidiary in place of competing print on-demand (POD) services. Amazon acquired BookSurge in 2005. Full story.

In an open letter explaining its move, Amazon said, "If the POD printing machines reside inside our own fulfillment centers, we can more quickly ship the POD book to customers -- including in those cases where the POD book needs to be married together with another item. If a customer orders a POD item together with an item that we're holding in inventory -- a common case -- we can quickly print and bind the POD item, pick the inventoried item, and ship the two together in one box, and we can do so quickly. If the POD item were to be printed at a third party, we'd have to wait for it to be transhipped to our fulfillment center before it could be married together with the inventoried item." Click here to read the complete letter.

Check 21: Void Pantographs Called Into Question 03/28/08
Some check manufacturers and distributors are losing faith in the effectiveness of void pantographs, which combat one of the most basic counterfeiting techniques—copying. When someone tries to duplicate a secure document on a scanner or color copier, the word VOID appears in bold letters on the new document. "I think it's a combination of two things: Check 21 compliance standards and the ever-changing technology in color copiers and scanners," says Charlie Chomas, CDC, president of DynaTron Inc., Lake Worth, Fla. "Is the void pantograph really a viable security feature? In my opinion, it has been weakened." | MORE

MeadWestvaco Revamps Corporate Identity 03/28/08
MeadWestvaco Corp. unveiled its new corporate identity: "MWV: How brands take shape." The new brand is designed to articulate in a unified voice MeadWestvaco's global packaging capabilities, supply chain efficiencies, sustainability promises and efforts to increase customers' marketplace competitiveness, the company said.

WBF Prescription Pads Exceed CMS Requirements 03/28/08
Wise Business Forms introduced its tamper-resistant prescription pads with 10 industry-leading security features that exceed the requirements of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). By April 1, CMS requires that pads must contain at least one of the following characteristics of fraud detection to be considered tamper-resistant: 1) prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form, 2) inhibit erasure or modification of information, and 3) prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms. Beginning Oct. 1, pads must meet all the three characteristics. Wise security features include void pantograph, heat sensitive Rx symbol, artificial watermark, blue or green background, a listing of all security features on back, reverse Rx, micro-printing, chemical reactive paper, and toner adhesion coating.

Wisco Launches 6 x 9 Standard Window Envelope 03/28/08
Wisco announced the availability of a 6 x 9 envelope featuring a standard position window. Because the product is in inventory, delivery time and prices have been dramatically reduced, the company said. The product also meets USPS regulations for letter size mail. The window is located 2 ½ inches from the bottom, allowing users a simple transition from larger 9 x 12 and 10 x 13 envelopes that cost more to mail. Wisco offers up to 4-color process printing on this product. Custom windows are available.

Ennis Develops National Sales Team 03/28/08
Ennis Inc. developed a National Sales Team consisting of seven experienced sales managers who are directly responsible for all Ennis capabilities and plants within a geographic region. In addition to geographic responsibilities, the team will provide distributors an opportunity to leverage the company’s national manufacturing facilities. Ennis area sales managers will serve as a single source for distributors to work with all manufacturing facilities. The team members include Carrie Hoesli, CDC, Southwest area sales manager; Lowell Lumpkin, Midwest area sales manager; Randy Olsen, Western area sales manager; Rich Frese, Northeast area sales manager; Shelly Reed, South Central area sales manager, and Steve Clarke, Midwest area sales manager.

ASB Conference Aims to Connect Generations 03/28/08
More than 600 sales associates and vendors attended American Solutions for Business' winter sales conference Feb. 27 to March 2 at the Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis. The conference was based on the theme of "Connecting Generations." It included 20 training sessions and vendor workshops, and a day-long vendor showcase. The event also included panel discussions on how buyers choose suppliers and products, how end users utilize promotional products, how generational differences affect purchasing, and more.

USPS to Improve Address Quality 03/28/08
In 2004, more than 9.7 billion pieces of mail were sent to undeliverable addresses of which more than 600 million pieces were sent to "vacant" addresses--a house, apartment, office, or building not occupied for at least 90 days. To reduce that unwanted mail, the USPS has developed a new data table that's used with address matching software to help mailers determine vacant addresses. The new "no-stat" and "vacant" tables are available through Coding Accuracy Support System address matching software (CASS Certified) as part of the Delivery Point Validation (DPV) product.  The tables are simple to use and can help mailers save on production and postage costs by reducing undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail. If an address is flagged as vacant, the recommended course of action is to remove that address from the mailing until it becomes occupied again. Full story.

Data Source Buys Automotive Forms Management Firm 03/28/08
Data Source Inc. bought Dallas-based automotive forms management company Restex Inc. for an undisclosed amount, according to a story in the Kansas City Business Journal. Restex had 11 employees, all of whom transferred to Data Source. Restex now uses the Data Source business name. Data Source has 123 employees, including 116 in the Kansas City area. Restex created, sourced and managed printed and promotional products for more than 1,000 car dealerships and service providers. Data Source plans to expand that business.

Glatfelter Announces NatureSolv Guarantee 03/28/08
Glatfelter announced its NatureSolv 100 percent guarantee for all carbonless products. Glatfelter said that if a product has a carbonless capsule, it will be a 100 percent NatureSolv carbonless capsule. Available to Glatfelter customers for no additional cost, NatureSolv is based on technology that utilizes naturally-based, organic solvents to create a carbonless capsule that is more environmentally responsible.

Company Uses Wind Power to Produce 100M Envelopes 03/28/08
Grossman Marketing Group (GMG) is using energy supplied by wind power to produce envelopes, collateral and promotional products after its customers, including Boston Celtics, Kraft General Foods and WBZ-TV, asked the company to produce eco-friendly products. GMG launched the initiative a year ago and has produced more than 100 million Green-e certified envelopes. The envelopes are produced and supplied at no extra cost and have saved 27,800 gallons of crude oil, the company said.

Mimeo.com Launches Publishing, Document Distribution Tool 03/28/08
Mimeo.com launched Mimeo Marketplace, an on-demand publishing and document distribution tool. It's designed for manufacturers, training professionals, retailers and marketing departments that frequently need to produce and distribute documents to end users across multiple locations, often overnight, the company said.

International Paper to Purchase Weyerhaeuser's Packaging Business 03/21/08
International Paper signed an agreement with Weyerhaeuser to purchase its containerboard, packaging and recycling (CBPR) business for $6 billion in cash, subject to post-closing adjustments. International Paper expects to close the deal in the third quarter of 2008. Full story.

Small Distributor Summit Draws Record Turnout 03/21/08
"Thanks for the referrals. We landed that job."

"How did you design that?"

"What is your e-commerce strategy?"

These were typical conversation starters as the 2008 Small Distributor Summit (SDS) opened March 7 in snowy Nashville, Tenn. SDS is a conference where print sellers with annual volumes of $2.5 million or less gather to trade solutions, solve problems, and share jokes and beer.

"It's our version of the band of brothers," said Ross Barker, president of e-Quantum, one of the SDS co-sponsors and a former president of PSDA. Of course, this band includes sisters, wives and woman-owned businesses, too.

It was the largest SDS ever, with 108 attendees. Mark Rockefeller, Carolina Print Consultants, and Joe Walkup, Innovative Business Products LLC, teamed up to organize the fifth annual conference in conjunction with PSDA. This year's meeting included a small, three-hour tabletop show where distributors could visit with select trade printers before dinner.

Pat Cook, vice president of marketing and sales at Ennis Inc., called it "the best trade show I have ever been to." Joe Hume, Keystone Data Systems, agreed. "It was good to have some time to spend with exhibitors one-on-one and I think it was a good addition to the SDS mix." MORE | PICTURES

Staples Plans Hostile Bid for Corporate Express 03/21/08
Staples Inc. left the price of its offer for Corporate Express NV unchanged and said it plans to launch a hostile bid, according to a Reuters story. Netherlands-based Corporate Express, in turn, again rejected the unsolicited $3.7 billion offer, saying the price "significantly undervalued" the company. The proposal is not in the best interests of its shareholders and other stakeholders, Corporate Express said. Staples said it was disappointed that Corporate Express would not negotiate, adding it planned to submit a request for approval of its planned offer to the appropriate Netherlands authority before May 13.

Patented Process for Customized Catalog Production 03/21/08
Stochastic Marketing adopted Catalogixx LLC's patented technology for producing customized catalogs and marketing materials as the final piece in its solution that can increase response rates as much as 300 percent, the company said. The patented process combines customer purchase history, graphics and data to create customized catalogs. The Stochastic Marketing/Catalogixx solution allows customers to deliver offset quality productivity and cost in catalog applications.

Standard Register Expands California Facility 03/21/08
Standard Register added a warehouse and distribution facility at its Modesto, Calif., location. The facility specializes in small order and less-than-carton quantities of such things as labels and technical literature. The Modesto facility will complement the company's Columbus, Ohio, manufacturing distribution center as well as its manufacturing and service center in Monterrey, Mexico, which provides quick-turn label production, limited variable imaging, warehousing and kitting capabilities.

All Barcode Systems Announces Partnership with Niceware 03/21/08
All Barcode Systems was accepted as a value added reseller for Niceware, the manufacturer of the NiceLabel label printing solutions. NiceLabel offers a full suite of products to address all label printing areas. It works with thermal printers and also prints to most laser and inkjet printers, the company said.

USPS Launches Free Recycling Mail Plan 03/21/08
The USPS launched a pilot program that allows customers to recycle small electronics and inkjet cartridges by mailing them free of charge. The "Mail Back" program allows customers to use free envelopes found in 1,500 post offices to mail back inkjet cartridges, PDAs, Blackberries, digital cameras, iPods and MP3 players, without having to pay for postage. Postage is paid for by Clover Technologies Group, a company that recycles, remanufactures and remarkets inkjet cartridges, laser cartridges and small electronics. There is no limit to the number of Mail Back envelopes customers may take. The pilot is set for 10 areas across the country, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and San Diego, but can become a national program this fall if the pilot program proves successful. Full story.

Staples Makes FSC-Certified Recycled Paper a Standard Offering 03/21/08
Staples Inc. said that all its 1,400 copy & print centers nationwide are now using recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as the standard offering for black-and-white high-speed copy and print jobs. This ensures that trees used to make the Staples brand recycled paper are sourced responsibly from well-managed forests that protect rainforests and wildlife. The papers use at least 50 percent post-consumer recycled waste content, although Staples offers both 100 percent and 50 percent post-consumer waste recycled content choices for retail, delivery and contract customers, including copy and print projects placed through contract digital production facilities. It has set a goal of moving the majority of paper products it offers to FSC-certified paper by the end of 2010.

Consolidated Graphics Acquires N.C. Commercial Printer 03/21/08
Consolidated Graphics Inc. acquired PBM Graphics Inc. (PBM), Durham, N.C. PBM is a commercial printing and packaging company that produces trading card games, collectible trading cards associated with the film and entertainment industry, and educational products and materials, marketing materials and other general commercial print. PBM had 2007 revenues of approximately $135 million. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to fiscal year 2009 earnings per share. PBM Founder Terry Pegram, along with his current management team, will continue to lead PBM following the acquisition.

Conformer Media Mailer Passes USPS Automation Standards 03/21/08
Conformer Expansion Products said its Conformer media mailer has passed the USPS automation tests. The mailers slash postage in half and can be run on industry-standard fulfillment equipment, the company said. Objects such as CDs, DVDs, software and games packaged in a box or padded mailer don't pass the requirements demanded by the USPS automation processing equipment, and will cost $1.36 to send by standard mail as a parcel starting May. The Conformer media mailer brings postage costs down to 52 cents, saving 62 percent, because the package now passes as an automated flat, the company said.

Prograde Receives FSC Certification 03/14/08
Prograde recently received the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain-of-custody certification through Scientific Certification Systems, an FSC-accredited certifier based in Emeryville, Calif. Prograde received the certification after a complete audit and inspection of its facilities. The certification is valid through Dec. 20, 2012.

Standard Register to Provide Prescription Pads to Medical Association 03/14/08
The South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA) selected Standard Register to provide its members with tamper-resistant prescription pads that will meet both federal and state security prescription requirements. SCMA members will receive a discount on its prescription pads and paper from the Dayton-based firm.

Record Turnout at the 5th Small Distributor Summit 03/14/08
Despite uncooperative weather that seems to be a tradition for PSDA’s Small Distributor Summit (SDS), a record-setting 108 attendees spent the weekend in snowy Nashville, Tenn., sharing business tips and best practices. The meeting, attendees said, was an unqualified hit.

“The camaraderie here is fantastic,” said first-time attendee Tony Mendes, Enterprise Business Solutions, Warwick, R.I. “Everyone tells it like it is, whether good or bad. We are all equals here; all business owners with similar goals. You can really let your hair down.”

Mark Rockefeller, Carolina Print Consultants, and Joe Walkup, Innovative Business Products, organized the meeting. This year’s agenda included a small, three-hour tabletop show where distributors could visit with select trade printers before dinner. Pat Cook, vice president of marketing and sales at Ennis Inc., called it “the best trade show I have ever been to.”

To many, the most important aspect of SDS is the honesty in sharing business stories. Sessions included “How I landed that big account” as well as a revealing and popular husbands-and-wives-who-work-together panel discussion on issues that arise when couples’ work lives are tightly intertwined.

Digital Technology Creates New Opportunities 03/14/08
As digital technology advances, it continues to create new market opportunities for printers. Three areas poised for rapid growth are photo publishing, books on demand and customized newspaper inserts. 

Photo books and publishing are rapidly growing and offer high profit margins, said Charles Pesko, executive vice president of Questex Media Group, in his keynote, “State of the Industry Address: From Megatrends to Microtrends,” at the On Demand Conference and Expo held March 3- 6 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Online companies such as Lulu and Blurb “are making publishers out of everybody. Customized newspaper inserts are just about taking off.” Instead of producing ads for the mass market, companies are now creating specialized inserts for specific geographic areas by taking advantage of short run lengths on digital color printing presses.

Marketing efforts are now increasingly moving toward personalization as end users demand highly personalized mail, Pesko said. This is creating new opportunities, and printers need to offer customized solutions to gain clients in niche markets. | MORE

MaverickLabel.Com Launches Value Stickers Product Line 03/14/08
MaverickLabel.Com launched a new line of labels that combines label production and e-commerce solutions. This combination of solutions provides web label buyers with pricing that is lower than what wholesale label printing companies offer to their dealers, the company said.

 “For less than one-third the cost of current wholesale label industry pricing, we can now offer label buyers one- to three-color printed labels, in dozens of popular sizes,” said Mark Trumper, CEO of MaverickLabel.Com. “Yesterday an order for 100 1/2 inch circle labels retailed for around $100 and took 5 days to produce. Today, we can sell that same  order for far less and have it shipped 24 hours later,” he said.

To order, customers pick the sticker shape and size, choose the label material, and select their ink colors. The product line consists of dozens of label sizes, available in the most popular shapes. Customers choose from gloss, matte, fluorescents, polyester, vinyl, mylar, and static cling materials. The stickers are printed in up to three-colors from a selection of 16 different ink colors. Free online web proofs are available within 24 hours. The minimum order is 1 roll of 100 custom printed stickers.

Paris Business Products Meet Medicaid Requirements 03/14/08
Paris Business Products offers several security paper choices that meet or exceed Medicaid's security feature requirements, the company said. The Centers for Medicine & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance last August on the provision that's included in section 7002(b) of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007.

CMS outlined three characteristics of tamper-resistant prescription pads. The characteristics must prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form; prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber; or prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms. By April 1, the states must meet one of the three requirements; by Oct. 1, they should implement all three requirements.

Paris offers its Premier Prescription Paper and other security paper products in different sizes, colors and formats, including 2-part carbonless security paper. The papers include blue and green-screened backgrounds that provide full ink coverage of the sheet, heat-sensitive thermochromatic ink that disappears when subjected to touch or heat of a copier, artificial watermarks that print “DocuGard Security” in white opaque ink on the backside of the paper, coin-reactive ink that displays tampering by scratching, and more.

Dupli-Systems Announces New Capabilities 03/14/08
Dupli-Systems Inc. added a black-and-white digital press configured with inline capabilities, including saddle-stitching, folding and drilling. The company can now offer quick turns on short run black-and-white products such as booklets, NCR forms, cut sheets, loose collated sets with tabs, and more. 

Ken May Resigns as CEO of FedEx Kinko's 03/14/08
FedEx Corp. announced that Ken May has resigned as president and CEO of FedEx Kinko’s to “pursue personal interests.” Brian Philips, COO of FedEx Kinko’s, will become acting CEO.  May assumed leadership of Dallas-based FedEx Kinko’s in January 2006, and his resignation is effective March 31.

Datatel Resources Achieves SFI Certification 03/14/08
Datatel Resources Corporation said that its production facility in Monaca, Pa., has received chain-of-custody certification from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Datatel Resources can now label its products as SFI-certified.

All Barcode Systems Announces Partnerships 03/14/08
All Barcode Systems announced partnerships with several data collection equipment manufacturers and providers. The company is an authorized distributor for Unitech, a reseller partner for Cisco, an authorized reseller for Datalogic and Honeywell (formerly HandHeld Products), a solution provider for Ingram Micro, a vertical partner for Unitech, and partner select reseller for Motorola (formerly Symbol Technologies).

GPO Continues Eco-Friendly Efforts 03/07/08
The Environmental Protection Agency has downgraded the Government Printing Office from a large quantity generator of hazardous wastes to a small quantity generator after the GPO changed the solvents it uses to clean its presses, Public Printer Robert C. Tapella said. In fiscal 2007, GPO recycled more than 5 million pounds of paper, 99,000 pounds of non-ferrous metals, and 108,000 pounds of ferrous metals, Tapella said at a Jan. 24 keynote “The Business of Green Media Conference” at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. “Last year we recycled 1.5 million pounds of corrugated material. Other materials we recycle today include aluminum, silver, photographic film, phototypesetting paper, empty paint cans, 55-gallon metal drums, plastic drums, wooden pallets, CDs, floppy disks, and video cassettes.” Recently, GPO started a fluorescent light recycling program. The organization is the largest industrial manufacturer in the District of Columbia, but tries to be “green” in its printing processes. For instance, nearly all of GPO’s printing--both produced in-plant and procured--uses recycled paper. The majority of inks are vegetable-oil based.

Flint Announces Price Increase for Plates 03/07/08
Flint Group announced price increases this week for photopolymer plates and solvents, effective May 1, ranging from four to six percent, and will impact all nyloflex and nyloprint printing plates, and nylosolv processing solvents. Printing plates and solvents are highly dependent on oil based raw materials and energy which have increased significantly in price.

All Barcode Systems Announces Partnerships 03/07/08
All Barcode Systems, Garden Grove, Calif., a label manufacturer and automated data collection equipment distributor, has been accepted by the following equipment manufacturers and providers: Unitech, Cisco, Datalogic, Honeywell (formerly HandHeld Products, Ingram Micro and Motorola (formerly Symbol Technologies). For more information call (714) 893-7032.

Pitney Bowes Launches Consulting Service 03/07/08
Pitney Bowes Management Services Inc. this week launched its Records and Information Management (RIM) Consulting Service to help organizations address concerns about records systems controls, risk mitigation, storage management and cost reduction. Details.

Printable and Canon Announce Reseller Deal 03/07/08
Printable Technologies Inc., and Canon this week announced an agreement through which Canon will offer web to print solutions from Printable through its imagePRESS Workflow Solutions program. Canon will sell Printable’s web-to-print solution with imagePRESS digital presses as a turnkey solution for digital printing. Printable also announced the availability of FusionPro Links version 2.5., which features a new campaign-centric workflow for marketers using pURLs, microsites and VDP, as well as enhanced reporting features.

InnerWorkings Q4 Profit Surges 02/29/08
InnerWorkings Inc. reported fourth-quarter net income of $12 million, compared with $3.4 million in the same period a year earlier. Revenue for the period ended Dec. 31 rose 47 percent to $90 million from last year's $61.2 million. Full story.

R.R. Donnelley Reports Q4 Loss, To Buy Insert Maker 02/29/08
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $293.3 million, compared with a year-earlier net loss of $1.2 million. For the full year, the company reported a loss of $48.9 million, compared with income of $400.6 million in 2006. Full story.

Earlier this week, R.R. Donnelley was awarded an $800 million contract by McGraw-Hill Education, a company that addresses almost all aspects of the education market from pre-K to professional learning. The 7-year agreement includes a wide range of products such as textbooks, workbooks, testing materials, teachers' editions and ancillary products.

Additionally, R.R. Donnelley said it will buy Pro Line Printing Inc., a multi-facility, privately held producer of newspaper inserts in Irving, Texas, for $122 million in cash. The company expects the acquisition to strengthen its position to serve national advertising programs. Pro Line Printing products are inserted into newspapers, distributed via direct mail and used for in-store circulation.

USPS Launches Larger Box With Flat Price for Shipping 02/29/08
The U.S. Postal Service launched a new box for larger shipments. The box is 50 percent larger than the current flat-rate boxes and regardless of weight, ships for $12.95 to any U.S. address beginning March 3. The new Priority Mail Large Flat-Rate Box (12 x 12 x 5 ½ inches) will be available at post offices March 3. Customers can order them now at usps.com/supplies or by calling (800) 610-8734.

Standard Register Reports Q4 Loss 02/29/08
Standard Register reported a fourth-quarter loss of $4 million, compared with a profit of $1.1 million a year ago. The results were hurt by pension loss amortization and pension settlement charges of $24.1 million. The charges come as the company is cutting costs and streamlining operations as part of a restructuring program. Revenue for the period ended Dec. 30 dipped 4 percent to $218.6 million from $228 million in the prior year. Annual sales declined 3 percent to $865.4 million from $894.3 million a year earlier. Full story.

VersaSeal Announces New Canadian Stock Check 02/29/08
VersaSeal introduced a new stock check that meets the imageability requirements outlined by the Canadian Payments Association. The 11-inch Z-fold check features a blue/green prismatic pantograph, microprint border, padlock icon and Canadian endorsement backer. Bilingual opening instructions are included on the check. This open-format check product is available for immediate shipment. Call (866) 367-9235 for more information.

Colorado Facilities to Operate Under Ennis Brand Name 02/29/08
Ennis Inc. said that Block Graphics-Denver and Skyline Business Forms will now operate under the Ennis brand name. Ennis acquired Skyline Business Forms, one of the largest manufacturers of business forms in the Rocky Mountain market, in October 2007. The acquisition of Block Graphics-Denver, a manufacturer of short-run print products and envelopes, was completed in August 2006. Block Graphics-Denver and Skyline Business Forms combined their manufacturing operations on Dec. 4, 2007. The name change became effective Feb. 5, 2008.

Glatfelter Achieves 3 Certifications, Launches Website 02/29/08
Glatfelter said that its carbonless manufacturing facility in Chillicothe, Ohio, has achieved certifications from the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The new triple certification assures customers that Glatfelter has implemented responsible forest management, and that chain-of-custody procedures exist to pass certified fiber from the forest, through the manufacturing processes and onto customers. Additionally, Glatfelter launched a website for its NatureSolv environmentally responsible carbonless capsule technology.

Office Depot Q4 Profit Drops 02/29/08
Office Depot Inc. said its fourth-quarter profit slid 85 percent as sales slumped in Florida and California largely due to the weak housing market. The company said earnings fell to $18.8 million in the three months ended Dec. 29, compared with $126.6 million a year earlier. Full story.

IWCO Direct To Manage HSBC Direct Mail Program 02/22/08
IWCO Direct, an integrated direct mail production services and marketing solutions provider, announced a multi-year agreement with HSBC for production of HSBC's direct mail marketing program. Under the agreement, IWCO Direct will provide printing, envelope conversion, personalization, and mailing for all components of this program.

Corporate Express Rejects Staples' Bid 02/22/08
Corporate Express NV quickly rejected an unsolicited $3.67 billion buyout offer from Staples Inc. as too low, but some analysts expect the strategic advantages of combining the two office products suppliers will yield an eventual agreement, according to an AP story. The acquisition would expand Staples' profitable segments serving business customers and overseas clientele after recent slow sales at Staples' U.S. stores. Staples said its offer came after it made repeated attempts to discuss a deal. After the rejection, Staples declined to comment on whether it may consider a bigger offer.

Wilmer Introduces New Line of Stock Integrated Products 02/22/08
Wilmer introduced a new line of pre-positioned integrated cards and labels available directly from its inventory. Stock integrated products eliminate lengthy lead times, and the blank format allows flexibility, the company said. The pre-positioned forms are available in eight popular formats, including PS Mailers and Fold-N-Seal construction.

Canadian Paper Mills Report Increase in Recycled Paper Sales 02/22/08
A new report shows a dramatic increase in recycled paper sales in 2007, despite difficult economic conditions for Canada's paper mills, according to a story in GLOBE-Net. Although many paper producers faced record losses and mill closures in 2007, green paper mills fared well with increased sales and market access, according to the report released by Markets Initiative, an environmental publishing organization. One mill, Cascades Fine Paper, saw a 235 percent jump in the sales of its 100 percent recycled paper. Sales for Domtar Inc.'s FSC paper doubled from 2006 to 2007.

Promotional Products Co. Launches Eco-Friendly Items 02/22/08
Corporate Accents Unlimited, a promotional products supplier, has launched Green Promotional Items, a new division that offers eco-friendly corporate gifts and environmentally safe promotional items made from post-industrial plastic, corn plastic, recycled, organic, biodegradable, and other earth-friendly materials, and a selection of solar-powered products. It now offers organic t-shirts, tote bags, and hats made from natural fibers. Its recycled key rings and lanyards are made from recycled plastic soda bottles. The recycled pens, pencils, and mugs are made from post-industrial and post-consumer materials. Solar-powered accessories include pen lights and calculators. Pens and coffee mugs are made from corn-based plastic and other petroleum alternatives.

Advanced Marketing Partners Acquires Ace Computer Essentials 02/22/08
Advanced Marketing Partners Inc., Livonia, Mich., recently acquired Ace Computer Essentials, St. Clair Shores, Mich. Two former Ace employees will bring an increased customer base, and the expertise and marketing skills required to sell computer peripherals, a company press release said.

HP Q1 Profit Rises 38% 02/22/08
HP reported first quarter profit of $2.1 billion from $1.5 billion in the same period last year.  The company saw a 13 percent boost in revenue to $28.5 billion from the year-ago quarter's $25.1 billion. Mark Hurd, chairman and CEO, said HP added more than 2,000 sales positions in the past year through acquisitions and hiring, and expects to "focus on our numerous cost initiatives and improve our market coverage." Full story.

Pushing Paper Out the Door 02/15/08
Chris Uhlik, an engineering director at Google, and his family live a practically paper-free life. The children are home-schooled on computers. Other sources of household paper -- lists, letters, calendars -- have become entirely digital, according to a Feb. 10 story in The New York Times. [Readers are required to register before accessing the entire article.]

Staples Cuts Off Paper Supplier 02/15/08
Staples Inc. severed all contracts with Singapore-based Asia Pulp & Paper Co. Ltd. (APP), one of the world's largest paper companies, according to a Wall Street Journal story. Until recently, Staples sourced about 9 percent of its total paper supply from APP and used the paper for its own Staples-branded stock, mainly photocopy and office paper. Staples had stuck with the company even as other large paper sellers in the United States, Europe and Asia, including Office Depot Inc., stopped buying from APP in recent years because of alleged environmental misdeeds.

CEOs Exchange Know-How in Tucson 02/15/08
Principals of companies with more than $2.5 million in sales gathered Feb. 6-8 at La Paloma Resort and Spa in Tucson, Ariz., for PSDA's annual CEO Summit. One hundred and twenty seven attendees--the highest number at a CEO Summit--participated in networking and educational sessions during the three-day event.

Brad Cates, vice president of sales and marketing for Standard Register, Dayton, Ohio, surprised attendees with a bold admission: The company doesn't consider distributors and trade printers to be primary competitors. "I don't find that we run across the independent segment that frequently," Cates said, citing larger companies such as R.R. Donnelley, Workflow, Xerox, IBM and Ikon as greater threats. "We have different competitors across different groups," he said. "We definitely see the office-supply companies as competitors, especially in on-demand solutions."

Cates lauded attendees for their ability to change in a fast-paced industry. "You can re-position very quickly and effectively," he said. He noted that Standard Register subcontracts 30 percent of its manufacturing and that he expects that percentage to increase. "We've been moving towards an asset-light strategy," he said.

Standard Register is undergoing a transition, Cates said. Although the industry is maturing, he noted that opportunities still exist for printers and distributors who expand their services and position themselves as more than printing companies. "The questions we're always asking are, ‘Where do we focus? Where do we point our arrow?' Positioning is all about looking at your capabilities, looking at your customers and carving out that sweet spot," he said. | MORE | PICTURES

After Adobe, FedEx Enables Shipping Through Microsoft Outlook 02/15/08
FedEx Corp. will now provide users of Microsoft Office Outlook the ability to connect directly to FedEx shipping services. The application, FedEx QuickShip, is an add-in that utilizes web services to provide fast and easy access to FedEx shipping functions. After the QuickShip installation, Outlook users will be able to generate labels, track packages, check rates, schedule pickups and find FedEx drop-off locations while still inside their Outlook 2003 or 2007 email application. Users right-click on an existing contact and choose "ship" from the menu. Shipments are then stored in a task view allowing users to conveniently recall and sort previous shipments.

Last year, FedEx Kinko's and Adobe announced a collaboration that allowed users of Adobe Reader 8.1 and Adobe Acrobat (8.1) to access Print Online, a web-based print management tool from FedEx Kinko's, to digitally send documents to FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Centers for printing. Many printing companies and associations, including PSDA, raised concerns over the development. Adobe has been largely viewed as a neutral company that has vastly improved workflows within the industry. But after it's collaboration with FedEx Kinko's, Adobe was seen as funneling print business to FedEx Kinko's.

Electric City Printing to Provide Fitness Events Materials to Rodale 02/15/08
Electric City Printing, a Consolidated Graphics Company, will provide racing bib numbers, event collateral and fitness support materials for events sponsored by Rodale. Electric City produces bib numbers and related printing materials for road races and cycling events, including Walt Disney World Marathon, Lilac Bloomsday Road Race, Boston Marathon and ING Georgia Marathon. It uses digital technology to create individually numbered race bibs. Rodale publishes several fitness magazines and sponsors more than 7,000 events annually across the nation.

N.Y. Printing Company Closes 02/15/08
Tech Valley Printing, Watervliet, N.Y., closed due to unspecified economic difficulties as reported in a company filing last week with the state Department of Labor, according to a story in The Business Review. The firm closed on Friday, following a series of layoffs dating back to November 2007. The company had annual revenue of $17 million in 2005. In December 2005, it acquired Staffield Printing Co. of Clifton Park, adding 20 employees to its work force. It had previously purchased Baronet Litho Inc., a specialist heatset printer in Johnstown, and State Color, a printer in Schenectady.

Quebecor World Signs Agreements With New, Existing Customers 02/15/08
Quebecor World Inc. announced that during the last several weeks it has signed new and renewed multi-year agreements with customers across all its major business groups. The value of these agreements is estimated at more than $75 million annually. This includes major publishers, retailers and direct marketers. In January, the embattled commercial printer filed for creditor protection in Canada and the United States. Full story.

Ward/Kraft Wins Awards 02/15/08
Ward/Kraft Inc. won 14 awards in the 33rd International Gallery competition sponsored by IAPHC, an international organization for individuals in the printing and graphic arts industry. The company won awards in the graphic design, flexography plastic cards, sheetfed offset waterless printing, and digital small-format devices categories.

Eco-Friendly Wedding Invitations 02/15/08
Barefoot Press offers letterpress printing on recycled paper for wedding announcements and invitations, calling cards and other green printing projects. It uses the same soy inks and recycled papers to print small runs of hand-crafted, green printing projects on its mid-century Chandler-Price letterpress that it employs on its 5-color offset printing press. The nature of the feeder on the letterpress allows for a wider range of papers, including recycled chipboard. The letterpress plate embosses while it prints, producing an old-school, craftsman-like feel to the printed page, the company says.

Shamrock Acquires Promotional Products Distributorship 02/15/08
The Shamrock Companies Inc. acquired a Northeast Ohio promotional products and incentive awards distributorship. The acquisition of the $3 million company, the name of which wasn't disclosed, will allow Shamrock customers to associate their brands "with the likes of Bose, Rolex and Mont Blanc," a company press release said. Established in 1982, The Shamrock Companies is a $70 million marketing communications and project management firm headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, with 23 locations throughout the United States.

USPS to Increase Stamp Price May 12 02/15/08
The U.S. Postal Service will increase the price of a 1-oz. First-Class stamp from 41 to 42 cents on May 12. Prices for other mailing services, such as Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services (including single-piece Parcel Post), and Special Services will also change. The average increase by class of mail is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index, USPS said. New prices for shipping services, including Express Mail and Priority Mail, will be announced in March. Click here to view prices for all postal products and services.

USPS Reports Positive Net Income Despite Volume Drop 02/08/08
The U.S. Postal Service ended the first quarter of fiscal 2008 with net income of $672 million on revenue of $20.4 billion, according to preliminary financial results released Jan. 30. Total revenue for the quarter ending Dec. 31 was up 3.5 percent over the same period last year primarily due to the May price change. The price increase masked weak volume for the quarter. Total mail volume declined 3 percent; First-Class Mail was particularly affected, declining by 3.9 percent. Full story.

NCPDP Releases Document on Tamper-Resistant Prescription Pads 02/08/08
The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) released a document to help states meet the Centers for Medicine & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements on tamper-resistant prescription pads effective April 1 and Oct. 1.

The CMS issued guidance last August on the provision that's included in section 7002(b) of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007. CMS outlined three characteristics of tamper-resistant prescription pads, but each state has to define which features meet those characteristics in order to be considered tamper-resistant. The characteristics must prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form; prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber; or prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms. By April 1, states must meet one of the three requirements; by Oct. 1, they should implement all three requirements.

Although NCPDP has no authority over the states, it was contacted by CMS to help guide them, said Ken Sperling, CDC, CPSS, president of Printco Inc., Omro, Wis. Sperling attended a day-long NCPDP meeting held Jan. 16 in Arlington, Va., and presented a session on “Industry Recognized Security Features.” The document, which was provided by Sperling, is a result of the meeting aimed at educating and providing guidance to the states. | MORE

Ennis Joins Connect Four51 Network 02/08/08
Ennis Inc. announced the addition of Four51 to its e-commerce offering by joining the Connect Four51 Network. Ennis’ e-commerce offering has been branded EnnisOnline. Descriptions and links to e-commerce and non-branded marketing sites for all divisions can be found at www.ennisonline.com. Connect Four51 is an innovative supply chain management program developed by Four51 that removes order processing, manufacturing and go-to-market inefficiencies from the printed communications supply chain and delivers resulting financial benefits associated with productivity improvements directly to the buyer.

Corporate Express Denies Buyout Talks With Staples 02/08/08
Corporate Express said it was not in talks to be bought by U.S. rival Staples, according to a Reuters story. “Such discussions are not taking place," it said in a statement after noting "rumors in a Dutch morning paper regarding ongoing discussions between Corporate Express and Staples." Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf quoted an unnamed Staples source saying that talks were at an early stage. Representatives for Staples in Europe were not available for comment.

GPO Uses Digital Signature to Authenticate Federal Budget 02/08/08
The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) authenticated the first-ever online Federal Budget by digital signature. The visible digital signature on an online PDF document serves the same purpose as handwritten signatures or traditional wax seals on printed documents. This signature assures the public that the document has not been changed or altered.  A digital signature, viewed through the GPO Seal of Authenticity, verifies the document’s integrity and authenticity.

Corporate Express Truck Fleets to Use Biodiesel 02/08/08
Corporate Express US Inc. is now fueling the majority of its delivery truck fleets in Colorado and Kansas with Blue Sun’s Fusion B20 biodiesel--an ultra-low sulfur fuel comprising 20 percent virgin oilseed-based biodiesel, from renewable U.S.-grown crops, and 80 percent petroleum diesel. This will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the company’s Colorado and Kansas fleets--a total of 45 trucks. The use of B20 fuel, as compared to using regular petroleum diesel, reduces carbon monoxide by 24 percent, hydrocarbons by 29 percent, particulates by 18 percent and nitrogen oxides by 4 percent, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colo.

DSI Selects DemandBridge for Operations, eProcurement Software 02/08/08
DemandBridge said that it has been selected as the enterprise-wide software provider for Data Supplies Inc. (DSI). The implementation of this 128-user license of DemandBridge software will make DSI its largest installation to date, the company said. DSI required a totally customizable platform that could reside on its servers. With DB Distributor (formerly TopForm), DemandBridge can deliver a full featured eProcurement and accounting platform with the flexibility that DSI needs in order to integrate with its existing programs, the company said.

Avery Dennison Reports Q4 Loss 02/01/08
Avery Dennison Corp. said its fourth-quarter profit slid 24 percent on restructuring charges and costs related to its Paxar Corp. acquisition. For the period ended Dec. 29, earnings fell to $79.4 million, compared with $104.7 million in the prior year. Avery Dennison purchased label-maker Paxar in June for $1.3 billion. Full story.

Ikon to Cut 350 Jobs, Q1 Profits Fall 02/01/08
Ikon Office Solutions Inc. will eliminate 350 jobs and cut its management's bonuses because of disappointing results in its fiscal 2008 first quarter and to accelerate its cost-cutting efforts, according to a Philadelphia Business Journal story. The company didn't say where the jobs will be cut. Ikon reported earnings of $15 million in the quarter ended Dec. 31, down 44 percent from $27 million in fiscal 2007 first quarter. Ikon's revenue in its fiscal 2008 first quarter was $998 million, down slightly from $1 billion in the prior-year period. Ikon also is creating a new operating unit for the United States. The company now has three operating units--Ikon U.S., Ikon Canada and Ikon Europe.

Wilmer Prescription Pads Meet Medicaid Requirements 02/01/08
Wilmer said its tamper-resistant prescription pads exceed Medicaid's security feature requirements. The Centers for Medicine & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance last August on the provision that's included in section 7002(b) of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007. CMS outlined three characteristics of tamper-resistant prescription pads. The characteristics must prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form; prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber; or prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms. By April 1, the states must meet one of the three requirements and by Oct. 1, they should implement all the three requirements. Wilmer's security features include chemical protection paper, watermark, micro print, blue or green background, heat-sensitive Rx thermochromic ink, and void pantograph.

Consolidated Graphics Reports Q3 Profit 02/01/08
Consolidated Graphics Inc. said its third-quarter profit increased 18 percent, helped by cost control efforts. The company's earnings rose to $19.4 million, compared with $16.4 million in the prior-year period. Revenue for the quarter improved to $289.5 million, up 7 percent from a year earlier. In December, the company completed the acquisition of The Cyril-Scott Co., a printing company based in Lancaster, Ohio. Full story.

Deluxe Q4 Profit Declines 02/01/08
Deluxe Corp. said its fourth-quarter profit fell 15 percent because the year-ago period benefited from a lower tax rate and terminated contract, according to an Associated Press story. Its earnings declined to $40.2 million, compared with $47.5 million in the previous year. Revenue for the quarter was $414 million, down 3 percent a year ago.

WorkflowOne's Charlotte Facility Earns ISO Certifications 02/01/08
WorkflowOne said its Charlotte, N.C., plant has become the company's second manufacturing facility to earn both the ISO 9001:2000 and ISO/TS 16949:2002 quality management process certifications. The Charlotte plant produces a wide range of printed products, including short run digital to long run jumbo rolls, pressure sensitive labels, continuous and cut sheet forms and offset sheetfed printing.

4 Vertis Direct Mail Facilities Get FSC Certification 02/01/08
Vertis Communications said that its North Brunswick, N.J., Monroe Township, N.J., Chalfont, Pa.; and Bristol, Pa., direct mail facilities have received the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain-of-custody certification. The facilities will adhere to the requirements defined by SmartWood, a program of the Rainforest Alliance, and the world's first global timber certification program, in order to maintain FSC certification.

Domtar's Cougar Goes Green 02/01/08
Domtar announced that its Cougar uncoated printing paper is FSC-certified. Cougar paper is already SFI-certified and is made up of 10 percent post-consumer fiber content. It's ideal for finishing techniques such as embossing, foil-stamping and die-cutting, the company said.

Cosmic Images in Braille for Blind Readers 02/01/08
NASA unveiled a new book that brings images taken by its observatories to the fingertips of the blind. Touch the Invisible Sky is a 60-page book with color images of nebulae, stars, galaxies and some of the telescopes that captured the original pictures. It was produced by Ozone Tactile Publishing, a company that specializes in printing products for the visually impaired. Each image is embossed with lines, bumps and other textures. These raised patterns translate colors, shapes and other intricate details of the cosmic objects, allowing visually impaired people to experience them. Braille and large-print descriptions accompany each of the book's 28 photographs. Full story.

Images to Data to Offer Printing, Scanning Services to American Red Cross 02/01/08
Images To Data said it's been selected by the American Red Cross to provide printing, scanning and verification services related to the REDS-II donor study. Under a multi-year agreement, Images To Data will design and print the automated REDS-II survey to be completed by blood donors at several participating collection centers throughout the country. Donor surveys will be processed and the data will be validated utilizing specific business rules and custom error-checking software developed by Images To Data.

Car Owners May Send Forms to Wrong Address Due to Printing Error 01/25/08
Hundreds of Alaska car owners may send their vehicle registration forms to an electric company because a printing company sent them the wrong return envelopes, according to a UPI story. The state's Division of Motor Vehicles contracted A.T. Publishing and Printing to send out 300,000 reminders to motorists who need to renew their registration. But 500 of the reminder letters included a return mail envelope with the address of Matanuska Electric Association. To help avoid mix-ups, the division mailed correction letters, and Matanuska promised to forward any checks it receives.

Prescription Drug Council to Release Document on CMS Requirements 01/25/08
The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) will release today a list of security features that comply with a provision in a spending bill for Iraq on prescriptions for millions of Medicaid patients that will have to be written on tamper-resistant pads by April 1.

The Centers for Medicine & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance last August on the provision that's included in section 7002(b) of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007. CMS outlined three characteristics of tamper-resistant prescription pads, but each state has to define which features meet those characteristics in order to be considered tamper-resistant. The characteristics must prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form; prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber; or prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms.

"Most of the confusion relates to the third CMS requirement because CMS wasn't too clear about exactly what it was," says Ken Sperling, CDC, CPSS, president of Printco Inc., Omro, Wis. "The first two requirements are fairly clear because they deal with trying to keep people from copying a prescription or altering a prescription, but the third one really wasn't clear as to what the states needed to do."

Read full story.

Standard Register to Provide Prescription Pads to Miss. Medical Association 01/25/08
The Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA) reached an agreement with Standard Register to make available to its members tamper-resistant prescription pads that meet both federal and state security prescription requirements. Under the terms of the agreement, MSMA members will receive a discount on their prescription pads and paper from the Dayton-based company. Standard Register's ScripPlus prescription pads combine heat-sensitive inks, micro-printing and unique background patterns, artificial watermarks, chemical-sensitive coatings, warning bands and consecutive numbers.

Printegra Upgrades FormSource Laser Cut Sheet Check Products 01/25/08
Printegra announced major upgrades to its FormSource Limited and Copy Alert Laser Check Lines. Upgraded features include new ink options, a prismatic feature, and enhanced security features, including a new thermochromic lock icon. All products are Check 21-compliant. All these features and two new color and background choices are available at no additional cost to Printegra customers. For more information, email samples@printegra.com, or call any Printegra facility.

Arthur Blank to Use Contactless Payment Technology 01/25/08
Arthur Blank & Co. announced a partnership with INSIDE Contactless for the supply of its newly released L4 2.5G MicroPass platform. Arthur Blank will use the MicroPass L4 platform as the basis for its contactless bank card products, offering a complete solution to its VISA, MasterCard and DISCOVER customer base. Contactless payments are payment transactions that do not require physical contact between the payment device and the point-of-sale terminal. The consumer holds the contactless card in close proximity to the POS terminal and the payment account information is communicated wirelessly.

Japanese Paper Mill Falsified Recycled-Paper Ratios 01/25/08
Nine products made by Oji Paper Co., the largest paper mill in Japan, contained smaller-than-claimed amounts of used paper, including a product that contained no used paper at all, despite the company claiming it was a recycled-paper product, the company said. Full story.

HP to Acquire Exstream Software, Targets VDP Market 01/25/08
HP signed an agreement to acquire Exstream Software LLC, a privately-held provider of enterprise software that streamlines the creation and delivery of personalized documents and other communications materials. With this acquisition, HP will be a player in the rapidly expanding VDP market. Financial terms of the transaction weren't disclosed. Exstream Software will be integrated into the Web Services and Software business unit within HP's Imaging and Printing Group. Full story.

IPG Acquires Wright Business Forms 01/25/08
IPG Inc., Elgin, Ill., said it recently acquired Wright Business Forms Inc., Broadview, Ill. IPG offers a variety of products and services, including business forms, direct mail, commercial print, cut sheets, e-commerce, and warehousing and fulfillment. Wright Business Forms manufactures high-quality business forms. It expanded its product line in 1998, adding an envelope converting division.

Quebecor World Gets U.S. Approval for $750M Loan 01/25/08
Quebecor World, the embattled commercial printer that filed for creditor protection earlier this week, has staved off immediate financial disaster after clearing a hurdle to getting its hands on a $750 million cash infusion, according to a Reuters story. The company, which filed for protection both in Canada and the United States, said that it had obtained the U.S. court approval that was needed for it to borrow the money from Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley. The U.S. authorization clears the way for the company to get the first part of a total of $1 billion in new financing from the two financial institutions. It obtained the approval of a Canadian court for the loan earlier in the week. "The proceeds of the financing will be used to fund its operations as the company reorganizes under the protection of the courts," the company said.

Diploma Mill Case: Former U.S. Marshal Charged 01/18/08
A former deputy U.S. marshal accused of using a bogus college degree to get a $16,000-a-year job promotion is the first customer charged in an expanding federal investigation of an alleged Spokane-based diploma mill, according to an AP story in The Spokesman-Review. Court filings allege that Dixie and Steve Randock counterfeited and sold degrees and transcripts from some of the largest universities in the United States, in addition to cranking out degrees from 125 fictitious schools. The Randocks are accused of using a Spokane print shop and a rented basement office in Post Falls, Idaho, to sell counterfeit degrees from the University of Maryland, the University of Tennessee, Texas A&M and George Washington University. David Floyd Brodhagen, who retired Dec. 23 from the Marshals Service, is the first person charged among the estimated 6,000 customers who bought degrees from the Randocks.

R.R. Donnelley Signs $200M Deal With European Directories S.A. 01/18/08
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. was awarded a new multi-year agreement to produce nearly 350 telephone directory titles annually for distribution by European Directories S.A., which is among Europe's top five directory companies. The agreement is valued at approximately $200 million. Serving approximately 700,000 customers, European Directories is a geographically diversified group with strong positions in several European markets.

Appleton to Explore Sale of BemroseBooth 01/18/08
Appleton will explore options to sell BemroseBooth, a wholly-owned subsidiary that Appleton acquired in December 2003. BemroseBooth provides products with security features and specialized print management services to the transactional services, secure logistics and promotional products markets. It employs more than 600 people in the United Kingdom, and reported net sales of approximately $113 million in fiscal 2006, accounting for approximately 10 percent of Appleton's net sales in fiscal 2006. Appleton CEO Mark Richards, a member of the PSDA Board of Directors, said that Appleton intends to focus on its core businesses and will explore the sale of BemroseBooth because it no longer complements Appleton's long-term strategic direction. Full story.

NewPage to Cut 660 Jobs in Stora Enso Deal 01/18/08
NewPage Corp. announced plant closings in Ohio, Wisconsin and Maine, eliminating about 660 jobs as it integrates the North American operations of Finland-based Stora Enso that it bought for $2.1 billion last September. NewPage acquired eight factories in the deal. Most of the cuts will be in Wisconsin, where NewPage will shut down a pulp mill and paper machines in Niagara and Kimberly, eliminating about 440 jobs. Newpage also will close an operation in Chillicothe, Ohio, that employs about 160 workers and shut down a paper machine in Rumford, Maine, that has 60 workers. Full story.

Staples to Provide Office Products at Democratic National Convention 01/18/08
Staples Inc. will be the office products provider for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) Aug. 25-28 in Denver, according to a Jan. 9 story in The Denver Business Journal. The Denver 2008 Host Committee has asked Staples to provide environmentally friendly office supplies, furniture and equipment for the DNC, which is expected to bring 35,000 people to Denver.

InnerWorkings Signs 3-Year Contract With Newell Rubbermaid 01/18/08
InnerWorkings Inc. announced an enterprise print procurement and management agreement with Newell Rubbermaid Inc. As part of the three-year agreement, Newell employees will use InnerWorkings' PPM4 technology for print procurement and management. InnerWorkings began handling the print procurement and management for Newell-Rubbermaid's Sanford division in 2004.

OfficeMax Opens Several New Stores 01/18/08
OfficeMax opened several new stores across the country. These include two stores in Minnesota, three in California and one store each in Howell, Mich., Las Vegas and Virginia Beach, Va. OfficeMax introduced a new multi-purpose store layout. Customers can download and print documents at OfficeMax ImPress, which provides high-tech digital printing and copying, binding, finishing and laminating.

Consolidated Graphics Fills CFO Position 01/18/08
Consolidated Graphics Inc. hired Jon C. Biro as its new executive vice president, chief financial and accounting officer. The prior CFO, G. Christopher Colville, resigned in June for personal reasons. Biro most recently worked as CFO and treasurer at ICO Inc., which makes polymers and resins used in household goods.

Standard Register to Help Hospitals Adopt Electronic Medical Records 01/18/08
Standard Register signed an agreement with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems to provide acute care facilities with assistance in streamlining document workflow and transitioning to electronic records. MedAssets partners with health care providers to help control cost, improve efficiency. margins and cash flow, and increase regulatory compliance.

Canon Integrates Regional Subsidiaries 01/11/08
Canon U.S.A. Inc. announced the establishment of Canon Business Solutions Inc., resulting from the merger of Canon Business Solutions-East Inc., Canon Business Solutions-Central Inc., and Canon Business Solutions-West Inc., to form one corporate entity. This move allows Canon to create a national sales and service operation with a focus on its brand of document imaging technology.

Xerox Introduces New Logo 01/11/08
Xerox Corp. unveiled a new logo to represent itself as "a customer-centric company offering products and services that meet the needs of small to large businesses." The new logo is now a lowercase treatment of the Xerox name alongside a sphere-shaped symbol sketched with lines that link to form an illustrative "X," representing Xerox's connections to its customers, partners, industry and innovation.

Mark Tucker is Ward/Kraft President 01/11/08
Ward/Kraft Inc. announced the promotion of Mark Tucker to president effective Jan. 1. Michael Del Chiaro, who was serving as the company president, "will be moving on to other exciting opportunities," a company press release said. Tucker has been part of Ward/Kraft's management team since 1985. He most recently was serving as senior VP of manufacturing. "The promotion of Tucker will give us depth, strength and stability. I look forward to our bright future," Roger Kraft, owner & CEO, said in the release.

Genoa Business Forms Celebrates 50th Anniversary 01/04/08
Genoa Business Forms recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The company started with a small sheetfed press for printing business cards, envelopes and letterhead. It now manufactures snap-out and continuous business forms, checks, envelopes and flat-sheet printed products, and offers logo garment embroidery.

Cenveo To Acquire Packaging Company 01/04/08
Cenveo Inc. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Rex Corp. in an all-cash transaction. Rex is one of the largest independent manufacturers of premium and high-quality packaging solutions, with annual revenues of more than $40 million. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2008 and to be accretive to earnings in 2008.

Nekoosa Enhances Uniform 20# Heavyweight Carbonless Sheets 01/04/08
Nekoosa Coated Products LLC said its Uniform 20# Heavyweight carbonless sheets now use Ultimate Image technology for better clarity. The Uniform 20# Heavyweight offers high-image quality combined with enhanced press performance.

MPE Expands Capabilities 01/04/08
MPE Business Forms Inc. added new equipment to include variable data, alpha and numeric consecutive bar coding, and direct mail capabilities. MPE also produces carbonless products in an environmentally responsible way through its partnership with Glatfelter.

ASB Forms Stewardship Committee 01/04/08
American Solutions for Business (ASB) formed the American Stewardship Committee to coordinate its charitable fund-raising efforts. About 12 employees will organize and plan various fund-raising events throughout the year. In November, ASB employees sent 10 boxes to military personnel overseas. In December, ASB collected more than $5,000 for Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, an organization aimed at ending child abuse and neglect in Minnesota.

Alstyle Apparel Introduces Logo 01/04/08
Alstyle Apparel and Activewear, the apparel segment of Ennis Inc. launched a new corporate identity logo. The new AAA logo is specifically designed to signify Alstyle's new direction of combining all styles and brands under the AAA label while moving away from Gaziani and Tennessee River labels.

Arthur Blank & Co. Offers Secure Bank Cards 01/04/08
Arthur Blank & Co., part of the American Banknote Group, recently received MasterCard and VISA certifications for its 50,000 square foot production facility in Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. The operation, with an annual production capacity of more than 100 million cards, meets the certification requirements for secure bank cards from physical access control and 24/7 security and monitoring, to production and inventory audit protocols. The new facility also will manufacture secure contactless payment cards.

USA\Docufinish Launches Apparel Division 01/04/08
USA\Docufinish announced that its new