Supplier News
PIA anounces InterTech Awards
PITTSBURGH—Printing Industries of America (PIA) announced the recipients of the 2009 InterTech™ Technology Awards. The independent panel of judges deliberated over technology submissions ranging from process control tools and MIS applications, to digital and offset presses. Recurring themes in 2009 InterTech nominations were process efficiency, integration, and improved manufacturing performance through the use of innovative technologies. Great strides in technology were demonstrated in four primary areas: innovative workflow integration and implementation, digital press design, color matching across devices and management of color data, and improved user operation resulting in reduced makeready time and cost.
The 2009 InterTech Technology Award recipients are:
• CGS Publishing Technologies International for ORIS Press Matcher
• Eastman Kodak Company for KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Printing Systems
• Eastman Kodak Company for KODAK PRINERGY Digital Workflow
• Ebiz Products LLC for System100 Software
• FUJIFILM Graphic Systems U.S.A., Inc. for FUJIFILM Taskero Universe Color Path Verified Technology
• Heidelberg for Heidelberg Prinect Press Center
• Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (MLP U.S.A., Inc.) for Diamond Color Navigator
• Punch Graphix Americas, Inc. for Xeikon 3300 Digital Color Label Press
• SoftSolutions, Inc. for Flex-Production Control System
Harper Names Anderson & Vreeland As Distributor
CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Global anilox supplier Harper Corporation of America has named Anderson & Vreeland of Bryan, Ohio, as its distributor for the sale of anilox rolls to the narrow-web, wide-web, and corrugated sectors for certain areas of the Western United States, including Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.
"This is terrific for both of our companies," said Pete Hartman, vice president of sales at Harper Corporation. "We have known and respected the folks at Anderson & Vreeland for a very long time, and now we're very pleased to have a formal relationship with them. We know that Harper Corporation will be extremely well represented."
PCMC Acquires F.L. Smithe Machine Co.
GREEN BAY, Wis.—Timothy J. Sullivan, president and CEO of Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), has announced the acquisition of F.L. Smithe Machine Co., Inc. of Duncansville, Pa., which specializes in the design and manufacture of high-performance printing and converting equipment solutions. The acquisition is expected to further strengthen PCMC's continuing commitment to the flexographic printing industry, establishing the combined company as a global provider of a complete range of narrow-, mid- and wide-web printing presses. The new partnership also leverages F.L. Smithe's position in the envelope converting industry to broaden the range of products and markets served by PCMC for dry and wet folding technologies across a variety of applications.
"With a history spanning more than 100 years, F.L. Smithe has been a leading supplier of state-of-the-art printing and converting systems that include its well-known Aquaflex narrow-web printing presses and Champion envelope machines," Sullivan stated. "We plan to continue that tradition of innovation as we carry forward the legacy of F.L. Smithe across its complete range of product offerings."
Müller Martini Acquires VSOP Technology
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.—Müller Martini has acquired patents for the VSOP (Variable Sleeve Offset Press) technology from Drent Goebel. A new Müller Martini VSOP series, offering flexible package and cardboard printing, will be launched by the end of 2009.
Müller Martini CEO Bruno Müller sees the acquisition of the VSOP patents and the launch of the VSOP printing press as an important step toward strengthening Muller Martini's position as a leader in printing press innovation and productivity.
ALTANA Acquires Water Ink Technologies
WESEL, Germany—The specialty chemicals Group ALTANA has agreed to acquire the business of the North American company Water Ink Technologies, Inc., a producer of primarily water-based and UV inks, coatings and varnishes for narrow-web applications.
Within the Group, Water Ink Technologies will be integrated into the ACTEGA Coatings & Sealants division under the new name ACTEGA WIT. The existing Water Ink Technologies management team, under the leadership of Michael C. Hague and Patrick S. Hague, will continue to run the operations under the roof of ALTANA.
Senate Aid Tours CRI
FAIRFIELD, Ohio—Senator Sherrod Brown's Regional Director, Brooke Hill, recently visited the Color Resolutions International (CRI) plant. Hill was given a tour of the facility, including the manufacturing plant, laboratories, and corporate headquarters. Employees had the opportunity to attend a question and answer period with the Director in the company's break room.
Hill then met with George Sickinger, president and CEO of CRI. Sickinger impressed upon Hill key issues on the minds of manufacturers including strengthening the R&D Tax Credit and the EFCA "Card Check Bill". Sickinger asked the Director to urge the Senator to reconsider his stance on the Card Check Bill.
"We have a union plant, so it doesn't affect us, but there are ample laws to protect workers and allows them to form unions should they so choose." Sickinger added, "Unionizing in itself should not be a goal of the Obama administration, job creation should be; and these actually seem contrary to one another."
Mark Andy and Rotary Technologies Partner
ST. LOUIS—MAX, the customer service and support team of Mark Andy Inc. has announced its partnership with Rotary Technologies Inc. Rotary's Servo 3000 Infeed + Re-register is a convenient upgrade to existing Mark Andy printing press solutions and is now available through the MAX Enhancements and Upgrades team.
Fife Celebrates 70 Year Anniversary
OKLAHOMA CITY—Fife Corporation, manufacturer and engineer of web guiding systems, is celebrating 70 years of success in the web handling industry with a commitment to continuous product improvement and education.
The company started in Irwin Fife's small garage in 1939, when a friend with a newspaper business needed to keep paper aligned on his high-speed press. Fife devised and installed his first working model within a year.
Fife Corporation continues to work closely with customers to engineer products like the D-MAX web guiding system and TruWide, an ultrasonic sensor that can see multiple edges at one time.
KBA North America CEO Steps Down
DALLAS—Holger Garbrecht, KBA North America CEO and president, stepped down on August 31 from his current position in the United States to return to Germany. A decision on a new CEO is expected in the next several weeks.
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NEWTON, Kan.—Mark Duke has joined Bunting Magnetics Co. as a territory manager for the Printing Products group and Flexible Die Division.
SUPERIOR, Wis.—Charter Films, Inc. has hired Sean Graham as technical sales representative. Graham will be responsible for selling Charter Films' full line of extruded blown PE- and PP-based films in Northeastern United States. pP
