November 30, 2004
Print Ontario renamed Print World
TORONTO, ON—Print Ontario, which has grown from a modest regional show to North America’s largest show for the not-so-big printer has been re-christened Print World: The World of Shorter-Run Printing. The last Print Ontario ever came to a close on Monday afternoon after a successful three-day run at the National Trade Centre. The next show will be Print World 2006 from November 18-20. The new name reflects the show’s significance of the shorter-run printing market.

Peladeau to rule Quebecor World
MONTREAL—In a move to strengthen operating structure and improve efficiency, the presidents of Quebecor World’s North American business units will now report directly to the company’s president and CEO, Pierre Karl Peladeau. The position of COO, previously held by David Boles, and some accompanying corporate functions are being abolished and will now report to the global head office or directly to the presidents of the business units. Boles will continue to contribute as a special advisor to the CEO. In a statement released on Monday, Peladeau said that the new structure will allow him to have a more direct relationship with the operational management and reduce duplication in other areas of corporate services.

November 26, 2004
Print Ontario has successful run
TORONTO—Print Ontario wrapped up on Monday after a successful three-day run at the National Trade Centre. A stellar attendance on Saturday and strong exhibitor sales were the buzz on the floor. Among the show’s popular features were the management seminars and the new print software theatre. Visitors to the show came from all over Canada, including B.C., and from several U.S. states.

Central Ontario Web has new owner
BARRIE, ON—Central Ontario Web, a large-format web offset print shop has been sold to George Grigaitis, a long-time industry player who previously owned LGM and Bay Web in Elmvale, Ont. before it was sold to Transcontinental. Andrew Scannapiego has been brought on board as the company’s new president. Scannapiego has spent 32 years in the industry and has served as general manager and president at Bay Web Transcontinental. The previous main shareholders of the Central Ontario Web were Jim Gilbert and Kris Kennedy.

November 18, 2004
Print Ontario ramps up for Saturday opener
TORONTO—Print Ontario, North America’s largest trade show and conference for the shorter-run market, is gearing up for its opening day this Saturday in Toronto. The show runs for three days at the National Trade Centre located on the CNE grounds. New to Print Ontario this year is the Print Software Theatre, sponsored by Adobe Systems, in which visitors can take in free informative 30- to 45-minute software presentations beginning at 11 a.m. on all three days. Space is still available in the management seminars taking place on Sunday and Monday and led by industry leaders, Duncan McGregor, Mike Stevens, John Gilles III, and David M. Fellman. Visit www.printontario.com for more information.

Transcontinental invests $53 million, cuts jobs
MONTREAL—Transcontinental says it is spending $53 million for three new Goss presses and finishing equipment to replace seven presses currently in use at three plants: Transcontinental RBW Graphics in Owen Sound, Ont.; Transcontinental Boucherville, near Montreal; and Transcontinental Interglobe book printing plant in Beauceville, Que. The new equipment is expected to improve productivity and result in cutting about 135 staff, most of which are temporary or contractual position, the company says. The purchase is in addition to $200 million in capital investments Transcontinental is planning to spend over the next two years. The seven displaced presses will be sold, transferred or dismantled.

Datamark’s third quarter results up and down
MONTREAL—Datamark System’s third quarter sales decreased 1.2% to $28.7 million from last year’s third quarter sales of $29 million. Although sales of labels and commercial printing increased during the quarter, this increase was offset by lower sales of traditional business forms. However, net earnings for the third quarter were $1.1 million, compared to $409,000 for the same period last year. The increase is attributed to the recognition of investment tax credits totaling $1.1 million related to 2002 and 2003 expenditures for research and development.

November 16, 2004
Kennson equipment up for auction
MARKHAM, ON—The assets of Kennson Bindery Services will be auctioned off on Wednesday, November 24 at 10:30 a.m. at the company’s location, 110 Torbray Road. An inspection is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bindery closed its doors earlier this fall. Some of the equipment up for sale will include 5-pocket and 6-pocket saddlestitchers, page folders, stackers, guillotines, a wire stitcher and a booklet binder.

PLM Group reports higher sales in third quarter
MARKHAM, ON—PLM’s third quarter sales were $29.2 million, 2.1% higher than the $28.6 million generated in the same period last year. The company attributes the higher sales to improved performance at the company’s Optium division as well as gains driven by the company’s recent investments in digital services and print. Net earnings were $0.7 million, down from $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2003. However, prior year results were impacted by a $1.1 million foreign exchange gain, which did not recur in 2004. CEO Barry Pike said in a statement that given the level of fixed cost for the company, this fluctuating market demand had an impact on the performance for the quarter.

November 12, 2004
Staff cuts at A.B. Dick Canada
TORONTO—About 40 people have been cut from the Canadian offices of A.B. Dick as of Friday, November 5, the same day the sale of the company’s assets to Presstek was finalized. About 30 staff members remain at the company. Jane Miller, corporate relations manager at Presstek, confirmed the layoffs, adding that 20% personnel cuts —about 130 positions—were implemented across all A.B. Dick operations. No explanation is available at this time why Canada absorbed such a heavy hit. Miller said more announcements are planned in the coming weeks and months regarding possible changes to staffing and distribution networks, and future corporate direction.

Rémi Marcoux accepts Printer of the Year award
TORONTO—Rémi Marcoux, owner of the printing giant, Transcontinental, accepted Graphic Monthly’s Printer of the Year award on Wednesday night at the Heidelberg Centre at Ryerson University in Toronto. Marcoux is the third recipient of the annual award chosen by Graphic Monthly’s editorial board and awarded to a printer who has had an impact on the graphic arts industry and who has also given back to the industry in some way. Prominent industry members were happy to honour Marcoux at the reception, including the first Printer of the Year winner, Dick Kouwenhoven who flew in from B.C. A feature profile on Marcoux’s life and achievements can be found in the October issue of Graphic Monthly.

November 5, 2004
Presstek, A.B. Dick deal done
HUDSON, NH—Presstek’s bid to acquire A.B. Dick, including its Canadian subsidiary, has been approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and is expected to close today for US$40 million. This past July, A.B. Dick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In July, PrintCAN reported that although A.B. Dick’s Canadian subsidiary was part of the acquisition, it was not included in the bankruptcy filing and the company was not in financial trouble. The acquisition is expected to merge Presstek’s products and technologies with A.B. Dick’s distribution and sales channels in a market where Presstek wants to strengthen its position.

November 2, 2004
Ideal Graphics victim of hit and run
OAKVILLE, Ont.—The front of Ideal Graphics was damaged by a pick-up truck that crashed through the 25,000 sq. ft. facility’s glass front entrance on October 21. David Ruskin at Ideal Graphics says that although the office was given a temporary “open air concept,” the front has been boarded up until reconstruction is complete and the shop has not experienced any production interruption. The damage is estimated to be $50,000 to $70,000. The driver, a 21-year-old male, has been charged with careless driving. Ruskin says officers at the scene estimate the car was travelling 80 km/hr when it crashed into the building. He says the driver drove away after the crash and called police from his girlfriend’s house.