Based in the Kansas City suburb of New Century, Kansas, Stouse is a trade-only specialty print provider. It supplies applications such as labels, decals, magnets and signs to promotional products distributors, commercial printers and marketing and advertising agencies. The company opened its doors as a screen and flexographic printer in 1977 and has since grown into a market leader with 40+ years of consistent sales growth. At any point in time, there are some 3,000 active jobs in the shop. The Xeikon 3500 is a proven performer in the Xeikon solution line-up as a wide web press for packaging, producing output as wide as 20.3 inches (516 mm) with a resolution of 1200 dots per inch (dpi). It can print on an exceptionally wide range of substrates without pre-coating/treatment. With no frame limitation, folding cartons can be run without concern for length restrictions.

Supremex Inc. announces the bolt-on acquisition of Vista Graphic Communications, LLC, an Indianapolis, Indiana based provider of print and folding carton packaging. “This turn-key operation brings us closer to our growing e-commerce customer base in the U.S. and provides us with much needed print and converting capacity to meet existing and growing demand for our customized patent-protected e-commerce packaging solutions,” said Stewart Emerson, President & CEO of Supremex. “Vista is strategically located, employs a skilled workforce, and with modest planned equipment additions we can quickly build a fully-integrated e-commerce packaging hub.” Vista Graphic Communications, LLC is a printing and packaging solutions manufacturer focused on highly customized folding cartons and micro flute packaging. The Company was founded by Tim Rolfsen in 1985, runs two full production lines, including 40” litho presses, die-cutting and gluing, and serves clients primarily in the medical, dental and publishing markets.

Books endure. We discard newspapers the day after, magazines stick around a bit longer, junk mail not at all, but books we keep. After we read a book, we shelve them, we show off our book collection as backdrops in our Zoom calls, we stack books in corners, we store them in boxes, we might drop them off at a used bookstore, we might even make books into works of art, but we almost never just toss them out. Printed books endure. Book printing company Grafica Veneta, located in the Italian province of Padua, a half hour drive from the causeway to Venice, announced the acquisition of a majority ownership stake in Lake Book Manufacturing. The acquired company is close by Chicago’s O’Hare airport, likely an enabling factor in the decision by an Italian book manufacturer to invest in a US-based partner. The owner of Lake Book, Dan Genovese, noted that his family’s Italian heritage also played a part in the decision to seek and accept an international investment in the company, especially one based in Italy. Both companies are positioned to manufacture a wide range of book products for the publishing trade, with capabilities ranging from one-color to full-color text, paperback and hardcover editions, along with fully decorated book jackets.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced a suite of 3D solutions to help manufacturers and retailers create rich user experiences and accelerate go-to-market speed. Designed to leverage the power of emerging technologies, such as 5G and spatial web for the Internet of Everything (IoE), RRD’s end-to-end 3D suite features modeling, animation, rendering, and interactive experiences, which enables simulations and digital prototyping that maximize the potential of augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). RRD’s 3D solutions enable benefits in multiple areas, such as: *Simulating the in-store shopping experience: 3D solutions can help bridge the gap between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar, especially when options are limited due to social distancing measures. RRD’s solution, coupled with our AR/VR capabilities, can help retailers create highly engaging and measurable immersive experiences. *Optimizing global supply chains: 3D can also help improve business processes and decrease time-to-market. For example, 3D renderings and digital prototyping can eliminate the need for product photography, which can result in major cost savings. These solutions can help product companies build “digital twins” of actual products to aid in planning go-to-market strategies. Simulated product and packaging testing can eliminate the need for large spending on physical prototypes. *Transforming e-learning: both product training and standard operating procedure training are readily transformed with RRD’s 3D suite. Immersive and interactive training improves output quality and contributes toward superior employee and customer experiences.

Konica Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. announced leadership changes to support the company’s internal and customer-focused digital transformation strategy. The changes are designed to augment its Digital Experience-as-a-Service (DX-as-a-Service) and Internet of Things (IoT) strategy to add continuous value to its clients and dealer partners. Patrick Banno, currently the Head of the IoT Business Center in the U.S., will lead the North American business as President and CEO. He is replacing Rick Taylor, who will progress to serve in an independent advisory role to ensure a seamless continuation of the company’s strategies. Sam Errigo, currently serving as Executive Vice President, Sales and Business Development, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Sam will lead the company’s strategy for operational excellence while enhancing digital agility to support a dynamically changing business environment and expansion into new markets.

Mittera has announced its acquisition of select business assets of Creel Printing currently operating in Las Vegas, Nevada. Creel, originally a third-generation family printer founded in 1953, was recently returned to the Creel family after being purchased by LSC in July 2017. Customers of Creel printing will gain access to Mittera’s expanded platform of web, digital and sheetfed printing capabilities, as well as digital, creative, and integrated marketing solution services. “As our industry continues to change, it is critical that print companies continue to evolve to best serve their customers. Finding ways to join with former competitors to offer customers more valuable services with a smaller equipment footprint is the future of our industry. We are excited to partner with Allan and the Creel team to offer their clients a more diverse set of communication solutions while maintaining the exceptional levels of service that have made Creel one of the leaders in the print space for decades.” said Jon Troen, Chief Executive Officer of Mittera. Mittera’s capabilities span full-color web and sheetfed printing, variable digital production, large-format printing, integrated publishing and digital solutions, web-based storefronts, photography and design studio offerings, marketing and print automation, and more. Mittera currently operates in 13 states strategically located throughout the nation. Key members of the Creel team will join Mittera to ensure a seamless customer experience. The Creel production facility in Las Vegas is not being acquired and will be shut down in the coming months.

PRINTING United Alliance and Idealliance today announced that the two organizations have officially merged. Under the guidance and direction of the board of directors at each organization, which are comprised of representative printer and supplier members across the industry; and with the overwhelming support and approval from Idealliance members, PRINTING United Alliance and Idealliance can together bring even more resources and service offerings to its collective membership and the printing industry at large. The merger is a unique opportunity during a challenging time to further collaborate and utilize the strengths of each organization to continue serving the printing industry across market segments. “Idealliance has developed the expertise to build and rollout its traditional color management programs, new standards in training and education, and is a respected leader in this space,” said Ford Bowers, CEO, PRINTING United Alliance.

The recovery in the UK printing and printed packaging industry suffered a setback in Q4 and is now expected to see a decline on the volume of orders and output in Q1. The Covid-19 outbreak hit at the end of Q1, Q2 bore the brunt of the impact and whilst Q3 exhibited a recovery, of sorts, Q4 experienced a halt on that recovery path. Unfortunately forecasts for Q1 suggests that the Covid-19 resurgence and resulting mix of lockdown measures and post-Brexit disruption will be a drag on recovery for many businesses. The latest Printing Outlook survey reveals that 29% of printers managed to increase their output levels in the final quarter of 2020. One-third (33%) were able to hold output steady, whilst 38% were adversely affected by a decline in output. The resulting balance (the difference between the ups and the downs) was -9, only just below the -8 reported in Q3 and just much in-line with the Q4 forecast (-7). Output has yet to return to the positive zone.

Revenues decreased by $83.1 million, or 11.8%, from $705.8 million in the first quarter of 2020 to $622.7 million in the corresponding period of 2021. This decline is mainly attributable to lower volume in the Printing Sector due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the sale of the paper packaging operations, which occurred toward the end of the first quarter of the previous year. This decrease was partially mitigated by the solid organic growth in revenues in the Packaging Sector and the revenues generated by the acquisition of Artisan Complete Limited in the Printing Sector. Operating earnings increased by $6.4 million, or 15.7%, from $40.8 million in the first quarter of 2020 to $47.2 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in operating earnings is explained by the organic growth in the Packaging Sector. In addition, in the Printing Sector, initiatives to optimize operational efficiency and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy offset a majority of the decrease in volume. Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation increased by $21.3 million, from $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2020 to $27.7 million in the first quarter of 2021. This increase is mostly explained by the income tax expense related to the sale of the paper packaging operations in the first quarter of 2020, higher operating earnings and the decrease in net financial expenses resulting from a reduction in net indebtedness and a lower weighted average interest rate.

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights and Recent Events * Total revenue increased by 11.1% to $54.6 million, from $49.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. * Envelope segment revenue was up 13.2% to $40.5 million, from $35.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. * Packaging and specialty products segment revenue increased by 5.4% to $14.2 million, from $13.4 million. * EBITDA1was $4.6 million, down from $6.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 resulting primarily from a non-cash asset impairment charge of $2.8 million and a restructuring expense of $1.8 million. * Net Earnings at $0.3 million, down from $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 from the above mentioned non-recurring items. Fiscal Year Financial Highlights * Total revenue increased by 6.7% to $204.6 million, from $191.7 million in 2019. * Envelope segment revenue was up 6.8% to $146.5 million, from $137.1 million in 2019. * Packaging and specialty products segment revenue was up 6.5% to $58.1 million, from $54.5 million. * EBITDA1 was $27.2 million, which include a fourth quarter non-cash asset impairment charge of $2.8 million and restructuring expenses of $1.8 million, up $1.9 million from $25.3 million in 2019. * Net Earnings were $7.5 million, which include the above mentioned non-recurring items, increased $0.4 million from $7.1 million in 2019.

Results for the three months ended December 31, 2020, included: *Net Sales — Net sales were $843 million in 2020, down 21% from 2019, primarily due to the economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing print industry volume and pricing pressures. However, the fourth quarter decline represents another quarter of sequential revenue improvement during the pandemic, as compared to a 28% decline in the third quarter of 2020 and a 38% decline in the second quarter of 2020. *Net Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations — Net loss from continuing operations was $86 million in 2020, or $1.69 diluted loss per share, as compared to net earnings of $7 million, or $0.14 diluted earnings per share in 2019. This variance was mainly driven by $75 million of restructuring and non-cash impairment expenses due to fourth quarter 2020 plant closure announcements, and lower net sales. Results for full-year ended December 31, 2020, included: *Net Sales — Net sales were $2.9 billion in 2020, down 25% from 2019, primarily due to the economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing print industry volume and pricing pressures. *Net Loss From Continuing Operations — Net loss from continuing operations was $107 million in 2020, or $2.10 diluted loss per share, as compared to a net loss of $56 million, or $1.11 diluted loss per share in 2019. The increase in net loss is mostly due to $35 million of higher restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, and lower net sales. *Free Cash Flow — Free Cash Flow was $129 million in 2020, an increase of $23 million from 2019, primarily due to a $50 million decrease in capital expenditures, partially offset by a $27 million decrease in cash earnings.

Q4 Key messages *GAAP net sales, including the impact of dispositions and FX, decreased 5.6%; Non-GAAP organic net sales decreased 4.8%; both decline rates improved sequentially from the prior two quarters *GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.46 and Non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.71 both increased significantly from the prior year *Operating cash flow of $124.6 million in the quarter is down from prior year; 2020 amount includes $47 million paid to terminate 25 deferred compensation plans and cash taxes on the gain from selling the Logistics businesses in addition to the expected impact from accelerating working capital improvements to earlier quarters in 2020 *Gross leverage ratio of 3.7x improves 1.0x from September 30, 2020 and 0.5x from December 31, 2019; net leverage ratio of 3.0x improves 0.7x from both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019

American Litho, a leading direct mail solutions provider, has installed the first HP PageWide Web Press T250 HD in the U.S. to boost power to deliver personalized direct mail for digital trigger marketing campaigns. The 22-inch continuous inkjet HP PageWide Web Press T250 with HP Brilliant Ink enables new versatility with an expanded color and paper gamut for high-volume commercial, publishing, transaction, and direct mail applications. “At American Litho, we tailor our capabilities to meet the needs of our customers, and in 2020 we found ourselves adapting more than ever. Investing in our equipment to further propel the powerful combination of print and digital services is vital to providing a standout product every time,” said Frank Arostegui, Executive Vice President of Sales.

Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the Quadracci family’s Windhover Foundation are announcing a three-year, $1 million commitment to The BrandLab, a non-profit dedicated to changing the face and voice of the marketing industry by creating opportunities for young people from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. This new partnership will enable The BrandLab to expand into the Milwaukee community and bring together local agencies, corporations and student interns who identify as Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), or who come from low-income families. Already operational in Kansas City and Minneapolis, The BrandLab’s success in bringing young, diverse voices into the creative profession directly aligns with Quad’s decades-long dedication to creating a better way. “The BrandLab starts by exposing students to creative and viable careers before they graduate from high school and then we stay with them on their journey to their first full-time role,” said Ellen Walthour, Chief Executive Officer of The BrandLab. “This is a long-term solution that requires long-range vision from the industry’s top leaders. Quad understands that our work not only advances racial equity, but it makes the creative field so much stronger.”

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announced its work to create tangible moments for Kindli, a social media alternative focused on positivity and connecting people with acts of kindness. Kindli Cards, printed by RRD, are Kindli’s proprietary, patent-pending method of tracking kind acts all around the world. These cards include a unique, user-specific QR code and personalized messages. Kindli’s strategic partnership with RRD allows for this level of customization. This includes workflows specific to variable programming required for personalized codes and automated order entry, enabling quick speed-to-market regardless of order quantity.

The Phoenix Group of Companies, a full-service provider of comprehensive printing, packaging, mailing, and fulfillment solutions in Philadelphia, announced that its affiliate, Phoenix Lithographing, and long-time industry partner ICS Corp., of West Deptford, N.J., are merging forces to create Phoenix-ICS Group of Companies. The new partnership brings together ICS, a direct mail organization offering strategic development and creative services, and Phoenix Lithographing, one of the largest privately-held commercial printing companies in the marketplace. The group will benefit from ICS’s expertise in mailing and creative development, and Phoenix’s comprehensive print production knowledge.

Worzalla, an employee-owned book printer specializing in printing high-quality children’s books, cookbooks, and hard-cover best sellers, was ranked the fourth largest North American book printer in Printing Impressions’ latest industry rankings titled 2020 Printing Impressions 350. Worzalla was also ranked the 63rd largest book printer by annual sales on the general list that includes all printing companies North America. This is the first time Worzalla has been ranked as a Top 5 Market Segment Leader in the book printing category. Worzalla also rose 24 spots in this year’s general rankings compared to last year. In 2020, Worzalla completed a modernization and expansion plan that added 50,000 square feet to the company’s manufacturing headquarters, upgraded equipment, and added additional associates.

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company announces expanded operations in Sacramento, establishing a robust center of excellence for commercial print in Northern California as Pacific Standard Print (PSP). This strategic investment brings new and diverse capabilities to the region for the purpose of serving RRD client needs. After undergoing an extensive year-long renovation, PSP has increased capacity for digital, sheetfed, mailing and print fulfillment services. The new 136,000-square-foot location boasts upgraded, best-in-class digital presses, plus 40-inch offset, sheetfed presses. PSP will offer an elevated security infrastructure for data and mailing services with an increased volume of storage to support critical warehousing and fulfillment needs throughout the region. PSP clients will also benefit from the multitude of complementary services that RRD provides, including advanced analytics, email marketing, content and creative services. PSP has a rich history of delivering on the communication needs of a diverse client base. Whether it’s time-sensitive election-related print, one-to-one direct mail communications, secure healthcare requirements or retail solutions, PSP is uniquely positioned to help clients break through the complexity of their communications while driving out costs, increasing revenue, and mitigating risk.

Sun Chemical will increase prices across a broad portfolio of its packaging and commercial sheetfed inks, coatings, and adhesives in North America (also EMEA and Latin America), effective March 15, 2021. A combination of raw material shortages, including petrochemical, vegetable oils and derivatives, dramatically increased international freight transport costs, and demand due to economic recovery, are all contributing factors for the cost increases in Sun Chemical’s raw material feedstocks.

Moore announces the acquisition of Worcester Envelope Company, an industry leader specializing in custom envelope manufacturing. This acquisition comes less than 12 months from the $31 million investment Moore made in envelope manufacturing with the opening of Richmond Print Group in Virginia. Moore is investing in Worcester Envelope to expand its envelope manufacturing in overall capacity, redundancy and location diversification. Based in Auburn, Massachusetts, Worcester Envelope specializes in the manufacturing of high color direct mail envelopes to service the medium to large volume mail industry.