Net sales in the third quarter of 2017 were $329.5 million compared to $382.7 million in the same period last year, a decline of 13.9%. The Company generated net sales of $1.01 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $1.16 billion for the same period last year, a decline of 13.1%. The sales decline for both the three and nine month periods was primarily driven by: (i) lower sales in the envelope segment, primarily due to lower direct mail demand primarily from our financial institution customers and lower demand in our wholesale and generic transactional envelope product lines primarily due to marketplace trends; (ii) lower sales volumes in the commercial print group and the publisher services group, primarily driven by lower customer demand and continued pricing pressures; and (iii) lower sales in the label segment, primarily due to the decision to exit our coating operation which was completed in the second quarter of 2016, and lower sales driven by customer demand and product mix changes. Operating loss was $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to operating income of $20.2 million in the same period last year. Operating income was $22.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to operating income of $51.9 million for the same period last year, a decline of 56.5%. The decline during the three months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to lower gross profit resulting from lower sales volumes and intangible asset impairments of $7.7 million driven by our current and expected future operating results for certain product lines. The declines in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were primarily due to lower gross profit resulting from lower sales volumes, the impact of the decision to exit the coating operation, intangible asset impairments of $7.7 million driven by our current and expected future operating results for certain product lines, and higher restructuring and other charges resulting from the 2017 Profitability Improvement Plan. Click Read More below for additional information.

LSC Communications announced that it has acquired the Quality Park envelope business from Cenveo. Quality Park is a leading producer of quality envelopes, mailing supplies and assorted packaging items. Jim Ellward, President of the TOPS Products division of LSC Communications, commented, “We're excited to bring the strong Quality Park brand into our stable of well respected and widely known brands such as Adams, Ampad, Cardinal, Oxford, Pendaflex and TOPS. Taking advantage of the synergies between TOPS Products and Quality Park will enable us to enhance our office solutions offering to extend deeper into new and existing relationships.”

•Group sales almost the same as previous year at €1,054 million •Operating result (EBITDA) improves from €45 million to €60 million – EBITDA margin reaches 8.2 percent in second quarter •Net result after taxes increases by €28 million – positive half-year result for the first time in ten years •Success in strategic development – high demand for digital presses, establishment of new business models, and kickoff of a transformation program to drive operational excellence. Click Read More below for additional information.

HP Inc. expanded its 3D printing portfolio with the announcement of the new HP Jet Fusion 3D 4210 Printing Solution. Designed for industrial-scale 3D manufacturing environments, the new solution significantly lowers overall operating costs while increasing production volume capabilities, raising the “break-even point” for large-scale 3D manufacturing to up to 110,000 parts1 and enabling the industry’s lowest cost-per-part (CPP) - up to 65% less than other 3D printing methods.2 Existing Jet Fusion customers can pre-order the 3D 4210 Printing Solution upgrade today, and new customers can purchase Jet Fusion systems now with the option to pre-order the 4210 system upgrade.3 HP also announced the expansion of its innovative Open Materials Platform with new partners Dressler Group and Lubrizol, as well as three new forthcoming 3D printing materials: HP 3D High Reusability PA 11 and HP 3D High Reusability PA 12 Glass Beads4, and the future availability of HP 3D High Reusability Polypropylene. The new materials, developed at HP’s innovative 3D Open Materials and Applications Labs, will broaden the uses and capabilities of HP Multi Jet Fusion technology and open a world of new high-volume applications. Click Read More below for additional information.

Allen Press, Inc. will host a community open house on Thursday, November 9, 2017 to celebrate its Digital Production Center grand opening. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to the public. A Lawrence Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. with remarks from Lawrence City Commission Representative Lisa Larsen and Chamber of Commerce Board member Phil Bradley. Afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to chat with printing, mailing and marketing experts, meet their local sales representative Paula Gibbs, tour the plant and see live demonstrations of two new state-of-the-art digital presses and a variety of high tech finishing equipment. Complimentary food and beverages will be served throughout the day. “Allen Press is a proud staple that has contributed to the Lawrence community for over 80 years,” said Allen Press CEO Randy Radosevich. “We believe it’s important to connect with local residents and the businesses we serve so they continue to be a part of what we’re up to, and with our new digital production equipment and increased creative services capabilities, what better time than now to celebrate together that for the first time we are able to serve everyone’s complete marketing needs.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Transcontinental Inc. announces the consolidation of its newspaper printing activities in Québec into three plants, and consequently the closure of Montréal-based Transcontinental Métropolitain in late January 2018. The printing activities will be mainly transferred to the Transcontinental Transmag plant in Montréal, which has state-of-the-art equipment. The regional plants of Transcontinental de la Capitale in Québec City and Transcontinental Qualimax in Gatineau will also take in volume upon transfer of activities which will take place progressively beginning in early January. This decision was made in the context of the decline in the newspaper printing market, and more specifically in connection with the upcoming end of the printing of La Presse newspaper. The plant closure will enable the Corporation to optimize its newspaper printing platform in order to stay competitive. Customers will continue to be served with quality products by TC Transcontinental Printing's network and its talented teams. Click Read More below for additional information.

Blackford Capital is excited to announce the acquisition of Kingsport Book. Kingsport Book is the second company in the book printing industry to be acquired by Printing Consolidation Company - a Blackford Capital portfolio company - which also owns Dickinson. Kingsport Book has developed a strong reputation as a high-end book finishing and fulfillment company, located in Church Hill, Tenn. In its 120,000-sq.-ft. facility, the company has developed an equipment platform that can flexibly service deluxe, trade, and soft-cover books at quantities ranging from one to a million. "The addition of Kingsport Book is in direct response to the needs of our customers. The ability to manufacture deluxe books domestically with very short-turn times, is one of the core requests we have heard from our customers base," says Aaron Day, CEO of Printing Consolidation Company (PCC) and Dickinson. Click Read More below for additional information.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. announced the availability of a new EFI™ Fiery® digital front end (DFE) for the Xerox® iGen® 5 Press. The Xerox EX-P 5 Print Server Powered by Fiery first made its debut at PRINT 17. The new Fiery DFE supports the iGen 5 Press' new White Dry Ink capability, and is the first commercially available DFE on the new Fiery FS300 Pro platform. "We believe the new capabilities with the Fiery DFE will be a significant asset to our customers, especially as it relates to optimizing our fifth station options," said Ragni Mehta, vice president and general manager, Cut Sheet Business, Xerox. "This partnership with EFI will allow Xerox to capitalize on the ability of White Dry Ink and other specialty colors to increase the breadth of applications that can be produced on the Xerox iGen 5 Press." Click Read More below for additional information.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced it has taken the ParityPledge™, building on its commitment to improving the pathway for women in leadership positions. The ParityPledge asks that companies commit to interviewing at least one qualified woman candidate for every open position, vice president and above, including the C-suite and board. The ParityPledge is an initiative of Parity.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on bringing gender equality to the highest levels of business. “I am thrilled to make this pledge on behalf of RRD to champion the advancement of women in business,” said Sheila Rutt, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at RRD. “Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is fundamental to our ability to meet the needs of our current and future clients, drive business success and promote a high-performance culture. The ParityPledge strengthens our commitment to gender parity in the RRD workforce and broader dedication to diversity and inclusion in the highest levels of corporations today.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Third quarter net sales were $935 million, down $14 million, or 1.5%, from the third quarter of 2016. Pro forma for acquisitions completed in the last four quarters, changes in foreign exchange rates, and pass-through paper sales, organic net sales decreased 6.6% from the third quarter of 2016. The decrease in organic net sales was due to lower volume and price declines in both the Print and Office Products segments. Third quarter 2017 net loss was $3 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to net income of $38 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2016. The third quarter of 2017 included $19 million of interest expense primarily related to debt issued in connection with the October 1, 2016 separation from RR Donnelley & Sons Company, while no interest expense was allocated to LSC Communications in the third quarter of 2016. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2017 reflected the impact of non-deductible goodwill impairment charges. Click Read More below for additional information.

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) Director Davita Vance-Cooks has announced her departure from federal service to accept a job in the private sector. By law, GPO Deputy Director Jim Bradley assumes the duties of Acting GPO Director until a replacement is appointed. Vance-Cooks was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2013 to be the 27th Public Printer of the United States. Prior to confirmation, she served as Acting Public Printer for 19 months. A seasoned business executive with more than 35 years of private sector and federal management experience, she was the first woman and the first African-American to lead the agency. In 2014, legislation proposed by Vance-Cooks was signed into law modernizing the GPO’s name to the Government Publishing Office, in recognition of the agency’s successful transition to digital publishing technologies. That law also abolished the outdated title of “Public Printer,” renaming GPO’s chief executive as the agency’s Director. Click Read More below for additional information.

Summary Results: Net earnings improved during the third quarter of 2017 to $20 million, a $9 million year-over-year increase, despite a 4.8% decrease in net sales to $1.0 billion. Organic sales decreased 3.7% due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures after excluding pass-through paper sales (-1.2% impact) and foreign exchange (+0.1% impact), and is consistent with the Company’s previous guidance. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2017 improved to $0.38 compared to $0.22 in 2016 primarily due to lower depreciation and amortization, and cost reductions and productivity improvement activities. Third quarter 2017 Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $116 million compared to $122 million in 2016; however, due to ongoing productivity improvements and sustainable cost reductions, the Company was able to keep Adjusted EBITDA margin flat year-over-year at 11.5%. Net earnings improved for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, to $52 million, a $45 million increase from 2016, despite a 5.2% decrease in net sales to $3.0 billion. Organic sales decreased 3.7% due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures after excluding pass-through paper sales (-1.4% impact) and foreign exchange (-0.1% impact). Diluted earnings per share improved to $1.01 during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $0.15 in 2016. Year-to-date Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA was $334 million, a 1.8% decrease from 2016, and Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 11.2% as compared to 10.9% in 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.

Third Quarter 2017 Highlights: Net sales in the quarter were $1.73 billion, up $9.3 million or 0.5% from the third quarter of 2016. On an organic basis, consolidated net sales decreased 0.4% driven by volume growth in the International and Strategic Services segments and favorable changes in fuel surcharges which were more than offset by net volume declines in the Variable Print segment, lower postage pass through sales in the Strategic Services segment and modest price erosion across all segments. Gross profit in the third quarter of 2017 was $324.4 million or 18.7% of net sales versus $364.2 million or 21.1% of net sales in the prior year quarter. The positive impact from our cost reduction initiatives was more than offset by an OPEB curtailment gain in the prior year period and unfavorable mix, modest price pressure, start-up costs related to a new facility in Asia and higher costs of transportation as a result of the hurricanes in the current period. Click Read More below for additional information.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. and Xeikon announced they have entered into an exclusive partnership for the EFI™ Jetrion® digital label and narrow web inkjet printing systems. Under the partnership, Xeikon will service, support and supply the worldwide Jetrion customer base, and continue the direct sales of Jetrion digital label printing systems as part of the Xeikon portfolio of digital dry toner and UV inkjet presses for the self-adhesive label market. "EFI Jetrion printing systems have helped to establish the market for industrial digital inkjet label production, and the numerous innovations developed for high-resolution Jetrion technology — including high-end, production-class LED imaging, superior opaque white ink and true all-in-one integrated print, varnish, cut and slit systems — have given EFI Jetrion the largest installed base of UV inkjet label presses in the world," said Guy Gecht, EFI CEO. "As we expand our portfolio of industrial inkjet products, we prioritized our go to market investment and resources. It was a clear choice for us to pick Xeikon, one of the undisputed leaders in digital label printing, as the ideal partner to continue a trustworthy sales and service operation for the Jetrion product line." Click Read More below for additional information.

HP Inc. announced the completion of its acquisition of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.’s printer business in a deal valued at $1.05 billion. A3 represents HP’s largest growth opportunity in business printing. The combination with Samsung expands HP’s portfolio, accelerates its ability to disrupt the $55B A3 copier segment with superior multifunction printing technology, and strengthens its leading A4 laser printing business. Samsung also brings compelling intellectual property of more than 6,500 print patents and a world-class workforce of nearly 1,300 researchers and engineers with expertise in laser technology, imaging electronics and supplies and accessories. “As we ignite a renaissance in printing, we’re thrilled to bring together the industry’s best and brightest talent,” said Dion Weisler, President and CEO, HP Inc. “Together, we will build on more than 30 years of print leadership to accelerate our strategy, disrupt new market opportunities, and provide our customers and partners with unique and highly innovative print solutions. Click Read More below for additional information.

Nosco Inc., a subsidiary of Holden Industries, has announced that it has acquired Gooding Company, a New York-based insert and outsert manufacturer with over 141 years of printing experience. Through the acquisition of Gooding, Nosco will add an additional manufacturing facility on the East Coast that will help reduce lead times, lower packaging costs and provide an expanded portfolio of folded literature. Gooding was established in 1876 in Lockport, N.Y. In 1990, the company was sold to current president, Jerry Hace. Under Hace's leadership, the company began focusing on enclosures for the medical and pharmaceutical industries, in addition to other markets. Click Read More below for additional information.

Three Z recently added a Goss M-500 to expand its printing operations. The M-500 is known for its proven technology and ability to deliver high print quality, efficiency and reliability at up to 40,000 impressions per hour. Affordability, straightforward design and versatility are all hallmarks of the M500. “Given Three Z’s extensive line of Goss equipment, the M-500 was a logical step to enhance their operations with a minimal learning curve for the staff,” explains Alexander Lutton, Goss Project Manager. “The features of this equipment will help to ensure that Three Z will remain one of the top commercial printers in the US.” Click Read More below for additional information.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company reported revenue of $724.1 million, down 0.2% year-over-year compared to $725.4 million for the same period in 2016. GAAP net income was $9.4 million or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to $25.0 million or $0.52 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. Non-GAAP net income was $74.0 million or $1.57 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $80.5 million or $1.68 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. Cash flow from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, was $42.4 million, down 24% compared to $55.8 million during the same period in 2016. "We are clearly disappointed in the third quarter results, which fell below our expectations largely due to delayed deals in our direct business," said Guy Gecht, CEO of EFI. "To reaccelerate growth, we are reallocating budget and talent toward our largest opportunities, in textile and packaging, along with making organizational changes and adding senior positions to improve focus and execution." Click Read More below for additional information.

Wisconsin printing company Quad/Graphics Inc. will shut down its plant in Waseca, Minn. KSTP reports on the announcement by Quad/Graphics, which said that about 30 employees at the 365-person plant would stay on to support area clients, but the bulk of the plant's work will be shifted elsewhere in the country. Click Read More below for additional information.

Allen Press, Inc. is pleased to announce that Paula Gibbs has been promoted to Sales Executive. Gibbs joined Allen Press in February 2017 as an Account Manager. As Sales Executive, Gibbs will lead sales efforts in the eastern Kansas region, including Lawrence, Kansas City, Topeka and Manhattan. Gibbs will work closely with the Allen Press marketing and operations teams with a focus on growing digital printing, direct mail and marketing communications services. “It’s our goal to be a printing, direct mail and marketing leader in Lawrence and the surrounding areas. Paula is a natural fit to build community relationships and to help local businesses grow,” said Maria Preston-Cargill, Allen Press Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Paula’s experience in multiple areas of the industry and her enthusiasm for printing will serve her and her customers well as she takes on this new role.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Transcontinental Inc.'s Media Sector, TC Media, announced the sale of its Sorel-Tracy-based weekly Les 2 Rives, as well as its related web property, to DBC Communications inc., a company led by its president, Mr. Benoit Chartier, also owner of the following newspapers: L'Oeil Régional, Le Clairon de Saint-Hyacinthe, La Pensée de Bagot, Gestion et Technologies Agricoles and Le Courrier de Saint-Hyacinthe, the longest-running French-language newspaper in America. The 8 employees of this newspaper are transferred to the acquirer. The Corporation would like to thank them for their professionalism and wishes them the best for the future. Furthermore, TC Transcontinental will continue to provide printing and distribution services as it already does for the other publications of the acquirer. This transaction is part of the process for the sale of TC Media's local and regional newspapers in Québec and Ontario, which was made public in a press release issued by Transcontinental Inc. on April 18. It is the second transaction between TC Media and DBC Communications since the beginning of the year. The first transaction was DBC Communications' acquisition of the assets and activities of L'Oeil Régional in Beloeil in March. We also note that the two companies have a long-standing business relationship dating back to 1979 when TC Transcontinental had acquired the Saint-Hyacinthe printing plant from the Chartier family.

• Revenue increased 8.5% year-over-year, driven by Small Business Services which grew 2.5% and includes the results of several small tuck-in acquisitions and from growth in Financial Services of 28.0% driven by the results of FMCG Direct and Data Support Systems, which were acquired in the fourth quarter of 2016 and RDM Corporation, which was acquired in April 2017. • Revenue from marketing solutions and other services increased 30.2% year-over-year and grew to 40.2% of total revenue in the quarter. • Gross margin was 61.2% of revenue, compared to 63.8% in the third quarter of 2016. The impact of acquisitions and increased delivery and material costs this year were only partially offset by previous price increases and continued improvements in manufacturing productivity. • Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense increased 2.4% from last year primarily due to additional SG&A expense from acquisitions which was partially offset by continued cost reduction initiatives in all segments. SG&A as a percent of revenue was well leveraged at 40.8% in the quarter compared to 43.2% last year. Click Read More below for additional information.

“Heidelberg’s Coating Days are the most efficient way for Heidelberg to share expertise aimed at further optimizing the productivity of coating applications in conventional, UV, and LED jobs,” says Bernhard Steinel, Head of the Lifecycle Solutions Business Unit at Heidelberg, in summarizing the event’s benefit. For the seventh time in succession, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) welcomed printers and production managers from France, Germany, Benelux, Eastern Europe, Austria, and Switzerland to benefit from additional expertise in relation to coating applications. Around 120 attendees came this year to the exclusive four-day learning event, which was held from 15 to 19 September in Wiesloch-Walldorf. The event focused on the Heidelberg Saphira range of LED coatings for matt, gloss, and drip-off applications as well as a relief coating application, where comparable coating amounts are applied using screen printing. Click Read More below for additional information.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has received awards from the German Design Council in Frankfurt for the outstanding design of its machines, as it was announced on 20 October in cooperation with the specialist journal “manager magazin”. The Award’s international jury honors design trends leading the way in the German design landscape. The Award, which was established in 2012, is one of the most respected of its kind worldwide, and is highly regarded well beyond specialist circles. The Speedmaster XL 106 offset printing press was selected as the winner for industrial applications, the new Primefire 106 digital printing press as the winner for digitized, personalized packaging, and the new Omnifire 250 as the winner for printing three-dimensional objects like balls, drinking bottles, or cell phone covers, with the Omnifire 1000 model receiving a special mention by the jury. Click Read More below for additional information.