August 30, 2007
Two new websites demonstrate viability of print
TORONTO—Kodak and the Print Council have both recently launched websites to promote the benefits and uses of print. Published by the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Print in the Mix: A Clearinghouse of Research on Print Media Effectiveness from the Print Council in the U.S. is a compilation of statistical information pertaining to all areas of print including, custom publishing, direct mail and magazines. A series of contributing editors and columnists offer their insights, and print advertising campaigns and projects are showcased. Kodak’s website, PrintAmbassador.com was started in late July and provides market research and customer testimonials as well as features like “Find a Printer,” which connects marketers with print providers in their area.
For the Print Council’s website please visit printinthemix.cias.rit.edu and for
Kodak’s go to www.PrintAmbassador.com.

Komori sells two presses to Vancouver printers
VANCOUVER—Two new Komori presses will be added to Vancouver pressrooms in the fall according to K-North Inc., the Mississauga, Ont.-based sales and service provider of Komori products to Western Canada and Ontario. Family-operated Marine Printers will become the first in the country to install a 5-colour Komori NL 528C, with extended delivery and tower coater. The 528 press features a vacuum feed board, CIP 3/4 data transfer and semi-automatic plate changers. Mitchell Press has purchased a 4-unit Komori 38S web press. The 38S is a 16-page heat-set web press capable of a complete job change in seven minutes or less and equipped with fully automatic plate changers and an extended length oven. Mitchell Press serves the commercial print industry and employs 116 people.

utline: The Komori 4-unit 38S web press.

August 28, 2007
Komunik to acquire Globel Direct
MONTREAL—Komunik Corp. continues its growth in Western Canada with the announcement yesterday that it has signed an agreement to acquire all the shares of Calgary-based direct mail and transactional print processing company Globel Direct. Globel’s plants in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver will likely be consolidated with Komunik’s plants and sales offices in the same cities. The deal will also give Komunik a call centre through Globel and expand its capacity and service offerings. Globel reported revenues of $7.8 million last year and employs 72 people in Alta. and B.C. The transaction, which is subject to Globel’s creditors’ approval, is expected to close around Oct. 12.

Flint Group reports ink price increases
PLYMOUTH, MI—Flint Group yesterday announced that the cost of inks in North America will increase, effective October 1, 2007, due to increases in transportation, raw material and energy costs. Depending on the colour and product technology, the price of sheetfed ink will increase between 5% and 7%, and inks for packaging could go up as much as 12%. The cost of news ink will rise 6% and publication heatset will swell 8% more. Flint Group attributes the escalation to more global consumption of petroleum and its derivatives, limited refinery capacity and recent closures of chemical plants by the Chinese government, resulting in the elimination of refunds of the value added tax (VAT). Flint Group says it will contact its customers in the next few weeks with more information.

August 23, 2007
New research predicts future of global print market
TORONTO—The global print market will grow 18% by 2011 with the most progress in developing countries, according to new research conducted by UK-based consulting group, Pira International. Published by the Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) and the Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES), the study, “The World-Wide Market for Print 2006-2011” looked at the 51 countries, including Canada, responsible for 99% of the global print market. The study identified freer trading, consolidation and Asian companies targeting North American markets as having the greatest impact on the industry in the coming years. Pressure to be more environmentally friendly will grow, especially in developed nations, and digital processes, such as electrophotographic and inkjet, will be in high demand. By 2011, the study suggests the collective share of the market held by digital printing will be 21%. To purchase a copy of the study, visit http://www.primir.org/Files/IOF_Marketing.pdf.

No end in sight for B.C. woodworker strike
VANCOUVER—A strike by woodworkers in B.C. now dragging into its fourth week has forced several pulp and paper companies to lay off employees as wood chip supplies diminish. Catalyst Paper, who recently starting supplying its “carbon neutral” lightweight coated stock for Rolling Stone Magazine, is keeping a close eye on the situation, although CEO Richard Garneau says Catalyst has enough inventory for normal August operations. About 7,000 woodworkers walked off the job July 21, shutting down 34 sawmilling and logging companies. According to the Vancouver Sun, concerns about a long-drawn-out strike have been expressed to the B.C. government.

August 21, 2007
Transcontinental bidding for PLM Group
MONTREAL and TORONTO—Transcontinental and PLM Group announced today that Transcontinental has offered PLM shareholders a takeover bid worth $3.50 per share. It’s an all-cash offer in which Transcontinental would acquire all of PLM’s 29.5 million shares outstanding, for a total value of $130 million including debt. The two companies have signed a support agreement in which PLM’s board of directors have unanimously agreed to advise shareholders to accept Transcontinental’s offer. The PLM board says it has consulted with its financial and outside advisors, and determined that the price per share is fair, and in the corporation’s best interests. The offer represents a premium of 25% over the closing price of PLM shares on the TSX yesterday, and 19% over August 13, the day before PLM revealed it was in talks with a prospective buyer. PLM Group is the country’s fourth-largest printer, employs almost 500 people and reported revenues of $126 million last year.

Transcontinental to print French Harry Potter book
MONTREAL—Transcontinental has been chosen by French publisher Editions Gallimard to print the seventh and final Harry Potter book, the company announced last week. More than 250,000 copies of Harry Potter et les reliques de la mort (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) will be printed at the Transcontinental Gagne in Louiseville, Que. This will be the third French version of the series Transcontinental has printed, and the book is expected to be in stores Oct. 26.

August 16, 2007
Xpedx names new head of Canadian operations
TORONTO—xpedx announced yesterday that industry veteran Michael Kearney will head up its operations in Canada as well as the new Toronto-based distribution centre, set to open this fall. The new 150,000 sq. ft. centre will join two paper and graphics stores opening in Brampton, Ont., and Markham, Ont. xpedx says it wants to expand further into Canada’s top metropolitan areas as a provider of paper, packaging solutions, graphics supplies and equipment. Kearney, whose career in the printing industry has spanned 30 years, was president and chief operating officer of Coast Paper, and has done a variety of consulting work. 

Spectracolor Printing and Mi5 Digital Communications merge
TORONTO—Offset trade printer Spectracolor Printing and Mi5 digital have merged. Neither company is changing its name and will operate as two divisions; Mi5, with its CTP, large-format and shorter-run litho services, will complement Spectracolor’s 8-colour Heidelberg and two 6-colour presses. Mi5 has moved into an adjacent unit in Markham, Ont., where Spectracolor is based, and no one will lose their job. The two companies employ 25 staff.

August 14, 2007
PLM Group talking to potential purchaser
MARKHAM, ON—One of the country’s largest commercial printers, PLM Group today announced it has begun discussions with an undisclosed prospective buyer. This follows the company’s statement earlier this year that it was conducting a strategic review process. In a press release the company stresses that there is no guarantee these discussions will result in a sale, and that no comment will be made until or unless, circumstances warrant it. 

Supremex acquires NPG Envelope assets
MONTREAL—Supremex Income Fund announced on Friday that it has completed the acquisition of NPG Envelope, the second largest envelope manufacturer in the country. Supremex, which has 11 manufacturing facilities in Canada and employs 750, announced on Aug. 6 that it had entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement to attain NPG’s assets. NPG was founded in 1913, and operates in Winnipeg, and Hamilton Ont.

August 9, 2007
May shipments flat
OTTAWA—Statistics Canada’s latest data for domestic print shipments indicate that the industry’s performance for May and for the first five months of 2007 is pretty much flat. Note that these numbers are not adjusted.

Quebecor revenues drop
MONTREAL—Quebecor World reports declining revenues and net income for the second quarter of 2007, ended June 30, compared to the same period last year. Consolidated revenues dropped to US$1.36 billion from US$1.45 billion in 2006, and net loss added up to US$21.1 million, down from net loss of US$6.5 million. The company attributes the loss partly to the retooling of select divisions, plant closures and new press start-ups. In North America, where revenues in the second quarter came in at US$1.05 billion, compared to US$1.15 billion last year, the company is reporting improved earnings in groups where the retooling and restructuring is almost complete such as the book and magazine divisions. In addition, the company reports improved results in groups such as targeted marketing, premedia and retail. But, performance in the catalogue and directory divisions, as well as the plant closure in Vancouver, contributed to the revenue loss.

August 7, 2007
Supremex reports declining revenues
MONTREAL—Canadian provider of stock and custom-manufactured envelopes Supremex Income Fund last week announced revenues of $43.7 million for the second quarter, ended June 30, 2007, down $4 million, or 8.4%, from the same period in 2006. Sales in Canada declined by $3.2 million, or 7.9% from the same period last year, which the company attributes to slowdowns in the re-seller market, a more competitive marketplace and a decrease in the average selling price and number of units sold. The Fund’s net profit for the second quarter was $5.8 million, contrasted with $5.4 million in the same period in 2006. Year-to-date revenues were $91.4 million, down 5.9% from the first six months of 2006.

Komunik Corporation’s Markham facility to close next month
MONTREAL—Komunik Corporation, which recently acquired business documents provider Datamark, has announced it will close its Markham business forms printing plant on Sept. 28 and relocate production to factories in Lasalle, Que., and Mississauga, Ont. The transfer will see 21 employees lose their jobs, and the Mississauga facility encompass distribution, sales, production and warehousing, all under one roof. According to a statement by Komunik’s chairman, president and CEO Alain Paquin, the decision to close the formerly Datamark-owned property, was made to mitigate the effects of a predicted downturn in the industry, and to consolidate resources.

August 2, 2007
Harmony Printing buys mailing house
TORONTO—Harmony Printing, a provider of prepress, digital printing and bindery services, closed a deal Tuesday to purchase Toronto-based mailing house Cardinal Mailing Services Ltd. for an undisclosed amount. “We will now be able to provide a broader list of services to our existing customers,” says Harmony Printing president Don Gain. Cardinal mailing, which is now a division of Harmony and has moved to its Etobicoke location, provides polybagging, high-speed copying and direct-mail services. Gain says that all the Cardinal Mailing employees will keep their jobs and the name will remain the same.

New deal to sell and distribute Kodak presses in Canada
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Coast Paper and Spicers, both divisions of PaperlinX Canada Ltd., have inked an agreement with Kodak to sell its NexPress 2100, 2100 Plus, 2500, and the recently announced S3000, digital colour presses in Canada. Spicers will sell and distribute to the seven Eastern provinces, while Coast Paper will serve B.C., Sask., and Alta.