Sappi North America opened the 20th and final North American Printer of the Year Awards call for entries. As with previous years, winners will be recognized for print excellence and innovation across eleven categories for work produced primarily on Sappi paper and paper-based packaging. The Sappi Printer of the Year Awards program has been regarded as the printing industry's most respected accolade for the past two decades, making its last iteration bittersweet for organizers. "We are so proud of the work that has been accomplished using Sappi products over the last 20 years. Printers continue to surprise us with new and innovative ways to show the power of print in our lives through their work," said Patti Groh, director of marketing communications, Sappi North America. "We are grateful for the ongoing commitment and excitement from our customers that has allowed this program to run for so long. As we look to the future, we're excited to continue our evolution and introduce new resources for printers and creatives." Click Read More below for additional information.

LSC Communications has signed multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreements with Bauer Media Group USA to provide distribution and cooperative mailing services for Bauer's magazines sold through retail and subscription channels. LSC's logistics planning system and state-of-the-art cooperative mailing platform will help Bauer achieve optimal delivery costs and qualify for the best possible postal rates for the publisher’s magazine circulation. According to Dave Cardona, President of Magazine Sales for LSC Communications, “Two key differentiators for LSC include our industry-leading cooperative mailing services and our efficient solutions to reach retailers through the newsstand distribution channel. We are thrilled that Bauer is leveraging our platform to reach their audience more effectively.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Quad/Graphics announces a new technology platform for testing direct marketing that lifts response rates, increasing reliability and shortening time to market at a fraction of the cost of traditional mail testing. The testing platform, called Accelerated Insights, is a virtual platform that can test up to 20 content variables in one pass. It uses a sophisticated persona matrix that combines demographics with emotional characteristics to predict what factors motivate someone to act on an offer. All of this can be accomplished without a physical mailing. Using Accelerated Insights, Quad has helped direct marketers: • Reduce total testing time to 60 days; • Realize 97 percent level (+/-3 percent) accuracy on projections; • Achieve increase in response rates of 18 to 27 percent; and • Lower testing costs by as much as 90 percent. “Marketers have been following the same testing methods for decades, many times with disappointing results,” said Scott Harvey, Quad/Graphics Senior Vice President of Marketing Solutions. “This technology creates a roadmap for campaign creative that tells marketers exactly what is most important to customers and prospects.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Midland Paper, Packaging + Supplies, one of North America's largest independent distributors of media for business communications, will unveil a broad and diverse portfolio of products for HP Indigo series 3 and 4 print technologies at Dscoop 2018 in Dallas TX including several exciting new products. Be sure to stop by Midland Paper booth #85 at DSCOOP 2018 to view HP Indigo printed samples of the following featured RIT certified products: •Diamond Print Glitter - Eye catching, non-flaking, glitter paper that folds without cracking, •Blanks Plastic Paper - Unique waterproof poly film used for menus, ID’s, tags, POP, signage and other graphic applications, •ClingZ and Ztac - Revolutionary wall and window films, •DigiFly HP - Printable canvas material, •Setalux HP - Printable book cover material. Click Read More below for additional information.

Transcontinental Inc. announced that it has acquired Multifilm Packaging Corporation, a flexible packaging supplier located in Elgin, near Chicago, in Illinois, employing over 70 people. The company enjoys a solid reputation in the high-end candy and chocolate packaging verticals in North America, and specializes in piece-wraps and high-barrier laminates for the confectionery, snacks and dry foods markets. Multifilm offers an integrated manufacturing process and distinguishes itself through its expertise in cast film extrusion, metallization and demetallization, as well as aluminum foil printing. “The acquisition of Multifilm Packaging Corporation is aligned with our growth strategy for the packaging division and presents tremendous opportunities,” said François Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. “This transaction allows us to enter new high-end confectionery packaging niches and to bolster our offering in this market. Multifilm expands our manufacturing capabilities, namely with aluminum foil printing and demetallization, thereby enabling us to leverage these sought-after processes within our North American packaging platform. We are pleased to acquire such a forward-thinking company, equipped with a state-of-the-art platform and enjoying solid business relationships with its loyal customers, some of whom are internationally renowned. We wish to extend a warm welcome to all of Multifilm’s talented employees who will be joining our team of committed and results-oriented people.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Allen Press, Inc. is excited to announce the purchase of a Brausse 1050SFi Automatic Diecutter and Foil Stamping Machine with Stripping Alternative. The Brausse 1050SFi is the most advanced piece of equipment of its kind on the market, and Allen Press is the first and only commercial printer in North America with the Brausse 1050SFi on its shop floor. This acquisition allows Allen Press to produce superior commercial, publication and direct mail printing materials exclusively in-house and creates unprecedented efficiency and quality-control from start to finish. Our clients will benefit immensely as projects will be completed faster and more seamlessly without compromising quality. Click Read More below for additional information.

Sun Chemical will showcase its full range of screen and offset inks, pre-laid overlays, pre-patched holograms, magnetic tapes, security solutions and electronic materials for credit and laminated cards printing during the 2018 ICMA EXPO in Orlando, Fla. on March 26-29. “Card manufacturers, issuers and branding firms want to partner with a company that can offer a complete range of solutions for credit and laminated card printing,” said Penny Holland, Vice President, Marketing and Industrial Applications, North American Inks, Sun Chemical. “During ICMA EXPO, we look forward to showing how Sun Chemical’s wide range of solutions for card printing can help customers streamline their operations.” Click Read More below for additional information.

The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) releases its Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2017. In it, Acting Director Jim Bradley reports another year of positive financial results for the agency. GPO’s operations recorded positive net income of $38.3 million for the year. Total revenues for the year equaled $874.3 million. “From the materials used in the Presidential inauguration to the digitization of the entire Congressional Record and our vigorous digital programs, GPO upheld its commitment to serve as the Federal Government’s publisher in FY 2017,” said Acting Director Jim Bradley. “Our positive financial results will allow us to keep pushing our program of modernization forward. We look forward to repeating this record of achievement in FY 2018.” Click Read More below for additional information.

Idealliance, the global communications non-profit organization, with 11 offices around the world, has certified the HP Indigo 1x000, 7x00, 5x00 Press Series and the HP Indigo Label & Packaging Web Press Series with its Master Elite Level ISO/PAS 15339 Certification designations. Idealliance ISO/PAS 15339 Certification is an extended compliance program of the Digital Press Certification for digital printing press manufacturers, allowing OEMs to certify demonstration of press aptitude as it relates to hitting specified color spaces and the ability to hold color tolerance. By achieving both the Idealliance Digital Press and the Master Elite Level of Idealliance ISO/PAS 15339 Certification, the HP Indigo presses demonstrated clearly not only their capability to print to the largest color gamut, Universal Extra Large CRPC 7 within CIEDE2000 tolerances as specified in CGATS TR 016-2014, but also their capability to hold color consistently. Click Read More below for additional information.

Quad/Graphics announced that it has released Marc Jacobs’ newest mascara brand in Quad’s PromoPage™ sampling carrier affixed to a major fashion publication. The publication targeted 50,000 subscribers to receive the full-sized mascara product sample with their home-delivered issue. To see a video of the revolutionary solution, visit http://go.qg.com/publishing-innovation. Product sampling is an important marketing strategy in the United States, accounting for $34 billion in marketing spend in 20161. In addition: • 81% of consumers agreed that experiencing a product increases their comfort level when purchasing2. • 94% of households stated that sampling is a good determining factor of product effectiveness3. • 92% of consumers surveyed reported they bought a product after trying a sample4. Click Read More below for additional information.

Goss International’s printing press business and manroland web systems, both manufacturers and service providers of web offset printing systems for newspapers, commercial products and packaging, are planning to combine their complementary businesses. The combined company will benefit from the companies’ complementary geographic footprints, create extensive synergies, ensure long-term viability, and provide value-oriented solutions, especially in the area of aftermarket services. In the future, the new entity will be a strong business partner to all international web printers. Subject to regulatory approval, the merger is expected to be completed by the middle of 2018. The Contiweb business of Goss International is not included in this transaction (see below for additional details on Contiweb). Click Read More below for additional information.

"I am satisfied with our first quarter financial results, which show that our profitability has increased while we continue the transformation of our organization,” said François Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. "In the printing division, the demand for our retailer-related service offering remained relatively stable. Furthermore, we implemented initiatives aimed at continuously optimizing our printing platform, namely the consolidation of our Québec newspaper printing plants. In addition, we will transfer to Hearst the operations of our California facility as of April 2018. Consequently, we will repatriate state-of-the art equipment to some of our Canadian plants, which will generate synergies mainly starting in 2019. "In the packaging division, this year's first quarter results were mainly affected by timing differences in purchases at one of our plants, but we anticipate that organic sales growth in 2018 will be similar to 2017. In addition, we pursued in a very active manner a number of promising acquisition opportunities. Click Read More below for additional information.

Net sales in the quarter were $1.93 billion, up $66.9 million or 3.6% from the fourth quarter of 2016. On an organic basis, consolidated net sales increased 2.6% driven by significant volume growth in the International segment. Gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $365.0 million or 19.0% of net sales versus $363.7 million or 19.6% of net sales in the prior year quarter. Income from operations was $104.6 million in the fourth quarter compared to a loss from operations of $466.9 million in the 2016 quarter. Net loss attributable to common stockholders from continuing operations of $52.8 million in the fourth quarter compared to a net loss of $488.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Fourth quarter net sales were $999 million, up $80 million, or 8.7%, from the fourth quarter of 2016. After adjusting for acquisitions, changes in foreign exchange rates, and pass-through paper sales, organic net sales decreased 4.6% from the fourth quarter of 2016. Fourth quarter 2017 net loss was $58 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2016. The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2017 reflected $24 million of one-time provisional tax expense related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which will be further detailed in the 2017 Form 10-K, as well as the impact from non-deductible goodwill impairment charges. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $85 million, or 8.5% of net sales, compared to $80 million, or 8.7% of net sales, in the fourth quarter of 2016. Click Read More below for additional information.

Kingsport Book LLC is excited to announce the launch of its newly built Kingsport Book Commercial. Kingsport Book Commercial was built with the goal of being able to offer the most competitive, short-run four-color book and commercial printing solution available in the industry. Phase 1 of this multi-million expansion continues to build on the goals established by PCC (Printer Consolidation Co.), a Blackford Capital portfolio company to build a world-class company focused on the ever-changing needs of the book printing industry. Kingsport Book, located in Church Hill, Tenn., has developed a strong reputation as a high-end book finishing and fulfillment company. To complement the deluxe bindery operation, a sister company has been built to service short-run offset and digital printing needs as well as to support the surrounding areas with the most advanced equipment available. In the expanded 135,000-sq.-ft. facility, a 10-color Komori perfecting press has been installed along with finishing, prepress and digital equipment. Click Read More below for additional information.

Edwards Brothers Malloy announced that it plans to consolidate all offset printing operations into its Ann Arbor, Mich., location by the end of 2018. As a result, it will be closing its offset printing facility located in Lillington, N.C., which will impact the job positions of approximately 100 workers employed there over the next nine-month period. “This was a very difficult decision,” said John Edwards, Edwards Brothers Malloy president and CEO, in a prepared statement. “We continue to see shrinking demand for offset printing and double-digit growth in digital printing. We want to increase our digital footprint and be sure we’re well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities and new markets.” The phased shutdown of the Lillington offset printing facility is planned to begin in April and should be completed by the end of the year, according to the company. Edwards added that the move will lead to “some” job growth in Michigan and that Lillington employees are encouraged to apply for work at its Ann Arbor location. Click Read More below for additional information.

HP Inc. announced commercial availability of its HP Indigo 12000 HD Digital Press with breakthrough high-definition imaging, the next step in the evolution of HP’s market-leading1 Series 4 large format press platform with more than 700 units installed worldwide. The High Definition Imaging System for the B2-sized HP Indigo 12000 HD Digital Press doubles image resolution, delivering sharper, smoother, finer print, enabling print service providers (PSPs) to surpass offset quality and open new digital possibilities in high-end commercial and photo applications. The press uses an all-new High Definition Imaging System, using 48 parallel laser beams and high screen sets up to 290 LPI. Click Read More below for additional information

Quad/Graphics, Inc. announced it has acquired Ivie & Associates, a premier marketing services provider and one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing privately held companies in the country. The business combination creates a powerful marketing solution that addresses clients’ increasing need for improved process efficiency and marketing spend effectiveness. The combined offering, fueled by both companies’ talent, expertise and technology, will provide clients unmatched scale for onsite marketing services, integrated execution, and expanded subject matter expertise in digital, media and creative. Click Read More below for additional information

Net earnings improved during the fourth quarter of 2017 to $55 million, an $18 million year-over-year increase, despite a 2.8% decrease in net sales to $1.2 billion. Organic sales decreased 2.8% due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures, after excluding pass-through paper sales (-0.3% impact) and favorable foreign exchange (0.3% impact). Net earnings improved for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $107 million, a $62 million increase from 2016, despite a 4.6% decrease in net sales to $4.1 billion. Organic sales decreased 3.5% due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures after excluding pass-through paper sales (-1.1% impact), and is consistent with the Company’s previous guidance. Net cash provided by operating activities was $344 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Free Cash Flow was $258 million, compared with $246 million for 2016, and was at the top end of the Company’s guidance range. Click Read More below for additional information.

LSC Communications announced a major investment in its Book Platform to boost productivity, capacity and efficiency. LSC will invest in its Willard, OH facility with the installation of a new Goss wide-web press and a new high-speed binding line. This investment will support the continued strength of the 4-color book market category, making LSC’s Willard, OH location the most advanced 4-color plant in the United States. Dave McCree, President of the LSC Book Group commented, “LSC will continue to grow and expand its supply chain and publisher services offerings, yet also strongly believes in the need to continue to advance its core print capabilities. This investment solidifies our position as the category leader, delivering innovative solutions to our Publishing clients.”

Quantum announced industry leader Cheryl Kahanec as its new CEO, effective February 16, 2018. Kahanec has more than 35 years of experience in the marketing communications and digital print industry, including transitioning traditional print companies into early digital success stories. In her leadership role at Quantum, she will drive the company’s strategic vision to continue to develop integrated and innovative solutions to help marketers succeed in today’s technology and data-driven marketplace. “After an extensive national search, we are excited to welcome Cheryl as Quantum’s new chief executive officer,” said Peter Cahall, chairman of the board of directors for Quantum. “She is one of our industry’s top innovators and an authority in our field. Her extensive expertise, demonstrated success and passion fit perfectly with our commitment to providing service and solutions for our customers.” Click Read More below for additional information.

The sixth annual Inkjet Summit will be held at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., April 9-11, 2018. The Inkjet Summit is an invitation-only, hosted event specifically designed for senior managers and business executives at printing companies and corporate enterprises who are looking to develop strategies, understand their options and make major investment decisions around production inkjet digital printing technology. The focus of the 2018 Inkjet Summit will be on sharing insight on key factors of successful production inkjet press adoption. Panels and presentations will include sessions on press implementations, sales requirements, end-to-end workflows and technology options. Application segments covered include everything from Transaction and Direct Mail/Marketing through Publishing (books, catalogs and magazines), General Commercial and In-Plant printing. Click Read More below for additional information.