VANCOUVER—Third-party logistics company Contac expanded its reach into print with the acquisition of certain printing assets from Forum Productions Inc., a Delta, B.C.-based commercial printer.

OTTAWA—According to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada, printing shipments for November dropped almost 10% during the month and 12.7% for the year-to-date period. Note that these numbers are not adjusted.

WINDSOR, ONT—Vistaprint recently released financial reports for the second quarter of its fiscal year ending June 30. Revenue for the quarter has grown 40% to US$194.6 million from US$138.9 million a year ago.

—Special PrintCAN analysis

by Gord Griffiths

How did we know Worldcolor was going to be sold? Simple—it hadn’t changed the old Quebecor World signs on its buildings yet. At first blush it looks like RR Donnelley is the loser in this situation as it bid about US$1.5 billion for the business last year and was turned down. However this acquisition doesn’t close for about six months so there’s still time for Donnelley to put in a bid, especially as some analysts think this complex deal may turn out to be worth less than the Donnelley offer.

MONTREAL—More details have emerged in the Quad/Graphics purchase of Worldcolor announced early yesterday morning. The deal, for example, was sparked last August at a lunch meeting between Worldcolor CEO Mark Angelson and Quad/Graphics president Joel Quadracci, according to a conference call the companies held yesterday.

MONTREAL—In a stunning deal, it was announced early this morning that Wisconsin-based Quad/Graphics, a leading U.S. printer, has arranged to acquire Montreal-based Worldcolor, formerly Quebecor World, in a deal set to close this summer.

LONDON, ON—Accell Graphics, whose owner Warner Tenkate recently passed away, has been sold to The Aylmer Express Ltd., a 133-year old general commercial printer operating just outside London.

TORONTO—Donald Tulino, co-owner of Canadian Graphic Supplies until he sold it in 1995 to Atlas Graphics and retired, died suddenly on January 1 at the age of 72. Tulino started Canadian Graphic Supplies in 1980 with partner Eric Davis, who died last summer.

TORONTO—This just in: Worldcolor announced late yesterday it is consolidating its Toronto area magazine, catalogue and inline direct mail operations into one facility in Aurora, Ont. This includes operations at the Richmond Hill facility, which will be transferred to the Aurora plant. Vice president communications Tony Ross says Worldcolor's Concord, Ont. location will not be affected in the changes.

LONDON, ONT—Former owner of graphic arts equipment company Robert E Thistle Ltd., Robert Thistle passed away last Saturday at the age of 77 after a long illness. Thistle ran the company since its inception in 1972 until selling it to his son, Steve, in 2006 who moved the company from Pickering to Markham, Ont.