Printing Industries of America, Inc.

Rochester, N.Y.—Diamond Packaging of Rochester, NY has again been recognized as “Best of the Best” in the 2006 Best Workplace in the Americas awards competition, sponsored by the Printing Industries of America (PIA) and Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF). The program is designed to recognize graphic arts companies for their outstanding human relations efforts that contribute to a successful workplace. This year marks the sixth year in a row that the honor was bestowed on Diamond Packaging. A panel of experts carefully evaluated all of the entries and found that the human relations practices of Diamond Packaging were among the best in the country.

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Hammer Packaging of Rochester, N.Y. has been awarded the Best Workplace in the Americas 2006 designation for its exemplary human resources practices. This award is presented by the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) who recognizes individuals and companies for outstanding accomplishments in the graphic communications industry. This year marks the sixth year of the Best Workplace in the Americas program and the fourth year that Hammer Packaging has earned this distinction. A panel of highly respected HR professionals with decades of experience in the graphic arts industry reviewed the submissions. All of the winning companies actively show their employees that

SEWICKLEY, PA—The Label Printing Industries of America (LPIA) will host its annual 2006 Fall Management Conference Nov. 1-4 at the Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Ariz. Criticial decisions must be made daily—strategy and tactics, operational challenges, investment decisions and procedures. The LPIA Fall Management Conference is designed to provide label converters and packaging printers with critcial, practical information through numerous sessions and industry networking. The program addresses the challenges and provides solutions in the areas of strategic leadership, financial management, sales, marketing, and the human resources side of business. The agenda includes QBQ!—The Questions Behind the Question!; Global Label & Packaging Trends International; Packaging Market:

Harper names new president; founders nominated for education awards CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Harper Corporation announced that Margaret Harper Kluttz accepted the position of president effective July 1, 2006. Daughter of founders Ron and Katherine Harper, Kluttz has served the company for 34 years, as production manager, administration manager, customer service manager, vice president of administration, and executive vice president. “We have a tremendous management group and an energetic, well-trained workforce,” said Kluttz. “Harper has spent an enormous amount of time, effort, and dollars on the training and education of our entire team, especially in the past few years. We feel confident and well prepared to

WESTMONT, IL—In a move to expand value-enhancing services offered to its members, PIA/GATF has formed a strategic alliance with The Open Approach. The partnership will give PIA member firms access to the insights, knowledge, and experience of proven industry experts, at special rates. Comprised of print industry veterans, The Open Approach partners each deliver more than 30 years of experience spearheading the success of large national print conglomerates, regional solutions providers, family-owned businesses, and other graphic arts companies. PIA/GATF members can secure the firm's assistance with mergers and acquisitions, corporate positioning, strategic direction, exit strategies, and other activities to help them increase market value and

SEWICKLEY, Pa.-The International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) organization and Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) announced today the launch of the long-awaited JDF (Job Definition Format) Product Certification Program. The JDF Product Certification Program provides testing of JDF-enabled software. Products that successfully complete testing will be issued a “JDF Certified” logo. This logo can be used on product packaging and promotional materials to convey to buyers that products have been certified to meet established guidelines for interoperability. The foundation of the JDF Product Certification Program is the Interoperability Conformance Specification (ICS) documents, created by

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Diamond Packaging of Rochester, NY has again been recognized as "Best of the Best" in the 2005 Best Workplace in the Americas awards competition, sponsored by the Printing Industries of America (PIA) and Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF).  The program is designed to recognize graphic arts companies for their outstanding human relations efforts in recruiting and retaining qualified staff, which contributes to a successful workplace.  This year marks the fifth year in a row that the honor was bestowed on Diamond Packaging. A panel of experts carefully evaluated all of the entries and found that the human relations practices of Diamond Packaging were

Regis J. Delmontagne will retire at the end of 2005 as President of NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies, the Graphic Arts Show Company and the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation, NPES and GASC Chair Kathryn P. Marx has announced. Delmontagne was the Association's first full-time professional executive.  At the time he joined the Association, then known as the National Printing Equipment Association in December 1976, membership comprised 37 companies; today there are more than 400. He has been President of GASC since the show management company was created in 1982 and of GAERF since the Foundation was

SEWICKLEY, Pa.—PIA/GATF57's Digital Printing Council (DPC) and Helene Smith Public Relations & Marketing Communications (HSPR); today announce that HSPR will represent The Digital Printing Council beginning immediately. HSPR will focus on promoting a major DPC initiative to be unveiled at PRINT 05, which will be held in Chicago on September 9 - 15, 2005. The Digital Printing Council (DPC) is a premier program of PIA/GATF (Printing Industries of America, Inc. and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation) that provides its members and the printing industry with informative tools and publications that are designed to help firms be more productive, efficient, and generate more sales. "This

PHILADELPHIA— Gallus Inc., in Philadelphia and the GAA are jointly conducting an introduction to Flexography program titled - "Flexo 101 and Applications" with multiple press demonstration and vendor displays on Thursday June 2, 2005. GAA is the regional affiliate of Printing Industries of America and of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation.   The day is planned to start at 8:00 am with 3 hours of classroom Flexographic instruction and its applied applications at GAA Headquarters in Trevose, PA.  There is a $25 charge from GAA for the training course.  At the conclusion of the classroom training, all are invited to a free lunch served