November 29, 2002
Adlertech licenses security technology
TORONTO—Adlertech International, a company that develops security technology for the printing industry, has announced it is licensing out its suite of authentication products. "What we are trying to do is bring the technology to everyone so that anybody can be a security printer, from the quick printer straight up to the web boys," says Andrew McTaggart, managing director of Adlertech. The company has also decided to get out of printing, so as not to compete directly with the licensees and to focus solely on technology development. Adlertech is known for printing the Salt Spring Island currency, as well as work for Krispy Kreme, Concordia University and the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons. McTaggart says its existing printing contracts will be relegated to the licensees. The license is $5,000 for the blended technologies, including software, and he says about six printers are looking to sign on.

Third quarter delivers profit for PLM, St. Joseph's sales up
CANADA—Several companies have released third quarter sales for the period ended September 30 that either surpass or are stable compared to those of the previous year. PLM Group reported its ninth consecutive profitable quarter with net earnings of $0.5 million on sales of $23.6 million, only a fraction below the reported sales of $24 million from the same quarter in 2001. St. Joseph's revenue was up $3.2 million for the third quarter reaching $75.4 million. But sales were down slightly at Canadian Bank Note. The company reached sales of $27.1 million, down $1 million from the previous year. Figures looked similar at Datamark, with recorded revenue sliding from $29.5 million in 2001 to $27.7 million. Communicorp continued to incur losses in the third quarter with revenue dropping more than $300,000 to $3.4 million. However, the company has stated, that it has started to experience the benefits of its restructuring and cost reduction initiatives.
November 26, 2002
They came, they saw, they shopped
NATIONAL TRADE CENTRE, TORONTO—Print Ontario 2002 came to a close yesterday after another successful staging of the bi-annual, three-day industry show. Printers came, test-drove equipment and several opened up their wallets over the weekend. Parker Pad and Printing in Scarborough, Ont., is the latest shop to own a Heidelberg NexPress 2100. Manager Janis Parker was in looking at the digital press several times throughout the show and finally made the decision to buy on Monday afternoon. Dots & Pixels, a digital printer in Woodbridge, Ont., bought an HP Indigo 3000, which will replace its current Turbostream press when the company moves into its larger facility next year. Peninsula Press in St. Catharines also became the first Ontario shop to purchase an Agfa Palladio CTP device.

Charles Cavell announces retirement from Quebecor World
MONTREAL—Charles Cavell has announced his intention to retire after serving as president and chief executive officer of Quebecor World for almost 15 years. His retirement will commence following the annual shareholders meeting in April of 2003. In the meantime, John Paloian and David Boles, co-chief operating officers of Quebecor World North America, and Michel Desbiens, the newly appointed chief executive officer of international operations, will progressively assume responsibility for management of the corporation. At the same time, Christian Paupe, executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer of the corporation, has announced his departure from the company to explore other opportunities. In other news, Quebecor World has signed a $240 million long-term agreement with Rogers Publishing for the printing of its entire stable of 67 magazine titles. Most of the printing will take place at its Aurora and Richmond Hill, Ont., plants. November 22, 2002
Quebecor installs web press for retail inserts
MONTREAL—In an attempt to strengthen its retail insert platform, Quebecor World is installing a web press at its Vancouver facility. The press will be producing regional and national advertising inserts for customers in the western U.S. and Canadian markets. According to an issued release, this announcement is the next step in a series of initiatives Quebecor is taking to enhance its plants to better accommodate the retail flyer and insert market. Back in May, the printing giant added two new Goss web presses to its Saint John, N.B., facility that have a capacity to produce 208 million impressions per year. Also in May, Quebecor announced the construction of a 196,000 sq. ft. plant in Riverside, Calif., for the production of inserts and mailers. In total, it will house seven web heatset presses. The company has similar plants in Arizona, California, Nevada and Alberta.

Symcor signs $1.1 billion deal with Scotiabank
MISSISSAUGA, Ont.—Symcor has inked a billion dollar agreement with Scotiabank that will see the Mississauga-based financial outsourcing service provider managing all of the bank's cheque and bill payment processing. This includes statement and report printing for all of Canada. This announcement affects about 1,000 Scotiabank employees who will now be transferred over to Symcor. Both companies have locations in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. The deal is expected to close on February 3, 2003 and is worth about $1.1 billion over 13 years.
November 19, 2002
Two printers score at CMA awards
TORONTO—The Canadian Marketing Association held its annual RSVP awards gala last Friday and honoured two printers in the GTA for their "enabling technologies" for the marketing industry. Innovative Graphics in Toronto was awarded for its eight-step High Response Technology program that helps companies achieve a higher response rate using direct mail. The company has successfully implemented this process with several large players including Bell, Sears and the Dairy Farmers of Canada. PLM was also recognized that evening. Connexxions eBoss (electronic bundle of services software) is the Markham-based company's automated online environment. It provides customers with online applications including inventory management and order entry. Big name clients include Goodyear, Shoppers Drug Mart and Coca Cola.

Print Ontario 2002 good to go
TORONTO—Print Ontario, the largest trade show in North America for the mid-size, short-run market, is on its way. This weekend through Monday, more than 10,000 expected attendees will fill The National Trade Centre to catch a glimpse of the latest in printing technology. This year, the focus is on digital. For the first year the square footage dedicated to digital has surpassed that of offset. Heidelberg will have demonstrations of its NexPress 2100 four-colour digital press. HP Indigo will have its 2000 and 3000 digital machines, while Riso is displaying its V8000 two-colour digital press. Xerox will also have several of its digital models on the show floor. The digital theme doesn't stop at the equipment. John Giles III will be conducting a seminar on "The Digital Printing Company." There will also be a special Printing Exports seminar taking place on Sunday at 11 a.m. with other presentations being given by Duncan McGregor, Lyman Henderson and Mike Stevens throughout the weekend. Also, be sure to stop by the PrintCAN and Graphic Monthly booths (1203 and 1201). See you at the show!
November 15, 2002
Toronto-area printer files for protection
ETOBICOKE, Ont.—PrintCan has learned that The Graphicshoppe has encountered some financial difficulties. According to industry sources, the printer filed for creditor protection in October and has received a proposal extension until December 2. The company owes about $3 million to secured and unsecured creditors and trustee Paddon + York has been appointed to help restructure. Calls to owner Wayne Uttley were not returned. Sources say the company experienced hardships after it moved from its downtown Toronto location near Union Station to its current Etobicoke facility. The Graphicshoppe also specialized in financial printing, a market that has tanked in the past months. Further information will be posted on PrintCan as it becomes available.

Brampton printer scoops up assets of Delgraphics
BRAMPTON, Ont.—Although an auction was expected for recently bankrupt Delgraphics, the assets have been purchased instead by the owner of another Brampton-based printer, International Print and Design. Delgraphics's trustee says John Rooney bought all the assets and is liquidating everything on his own. In fact, the trustee said most everything was pre-sold before the deal was finalized. Rooney did not return phone calls, but stay tuned for more details.
November 12, 2002
TopLine skates with Elvis
MISSISSAUGA, Ont.—TopLine Printing and Graphics has been named the official printer of Canon SK8 starring Canadian professional figure skater Elvis Stojko. The contract largely involves the printing of the tour program, which will be sold at the tour stops across Canada. Kevin McKay, sales and marketing manager at TopLine, says the tour started in the East and will finish in the West hitting 11 major cities along the way. While TopLine is listed as a national sponsor on the SK8 Web site, McKay says its goal is to gain recognition locally. "The focus for us is really Toronto, the GTA and Ontario. We do have clients in the States and in Vancouver, but it is too much of a marketing push for us to draw people in from the outer regions. We're really enjoying the hit we get in this marketplace." The Mississauga-based sheetfed printer has partnered with Stojko before on previous skating tours. "We're thrilled to be back on deck," McKay says.

TPH spreads some holiday cheer
TORONTO—The Printing House Charitable Office, a division of The Printing House, has donated its printing services to produce annual winter holiday greeting cards. This year, all the proceeds will go directly to support two Canadian charities—Evergreen, an organization that helps people create and sustain healthy and natural outdoor spaces in cities, and The SIDS Foundation, dedicated to solving the mystery surrounding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Natalia Narbut, office manager of TPH Charitable Office, says, "Everything about [the cards] is donated—from the artwork, to the paper stock, to the printing." Last year, she says the company raised almost $30,000 from the sale of the cards and hopes to match or exceed that figure this year. Other companies that donate to the project include Domtar, Heidelberg and Buntin Reid. Cards are sold in one of five designs in packages of 12 for $15.
November 8, 2002
Quebecor hires new executive for international operations
MONTREAL—Quebecor World has appointed Michel Desbiens to the newly created position of CEO of international operations. In this senior executive position, Desbiens will oversee the performance and development of all operations outside of North America. He will also become a member of the office of CEO Charles Cavell, working together on the company's strategic direction and long-term development. According to an article in The Toronto Star, this appointment is setting up Desbiens to succeed Cavell, but Tony Ross, director of communications for Quebecor, denied the comment saying the statement was an interpretation made by the Star's reporter and that Quebecor has made no related announcements. Desbiens recently served as president and CEO of Montreal-based newsprint producer Donohue, which Quebecor Inc. once owned before selling to forestry giant Abitibi-Consolidated.

Optipress releases earnings for first quarter of operations
DARTMOUTH, N.S.—Optipress has announced its first quarter earnings for the period ended Sept. 30. In its first quarter of operations, Optipress recorded revenue of $16.7 million. That figure is slightly less than sales of $17 million reported by its predecessor companies—Newfoundland Capital Corp. and Cameron Publications—for the same quarter in 2001. The majority of Optipress's sales were generated by its printing division, accounting for $12.8 million. The publishing division made up the remainder. Optipress was established on May 16, 2002 and completed its IPO on July 25, 2002. Its fiscal year will end on March 31, 2003.
November 5, 2002
The Phoenix Print Shop is outgrowing its location
TORONTO—Space is getting tight at The Phoenix Print Shop. The Toronto-based shop gives homeless and at-risk youths hands-on printing experience and teaches basic life skills. Social enterprise coordinator Andrew Macdonald says the shop hopes to double its current capacity of 390 sq. ft. to 800 or 1,000 sq. ft. "The combination of equipment, the number of youths we would like to serve, the increased need to produce some sellable product and storage space—it has been an ongoing concern, the amount of space that we have," he says. The shop is currently looking to update and add to its equipment lineup and it has recently been hooked up with an A.B. Dick 9810 press from Brian O'Leary at Kwik Kopy. The location of a low-rent facility is an important factor, he says, as most youths either live or frequent the downtown Toronto area and it would not be feasible to set up shop at a location outside of the city.

Graphic Monthly has released the Print Ontario show guide
MISSISSAUGA, Ont.—Just in time for Print Ontario 2002, Graphic Monthly has released the show guide issue, complete with floor map and alphabetical listing of exhibitors. The December edition of PrintCAN's printed sister title, also outlines the equipment each exhibitor will be bringing to the show, along with seminars and special events. Also, look for an interview with Transcontinental's COO Luc Desjardins and an online preflighting guide. Look for this jam-packed issue to arrive on your desk any day now.
November 1, 2002
Embassy Graphics made North American sales arm for Asian book printer
WINNIPEG—Embassy Graphics has undergone a makeover, moving from prepress house to graphic solutions provider. Part of that diversification includes recently inking a deal with Hong Kong-based Midas Printing—a large, publicly traded book printer with locations throughout South East Asia—to become its North American sales force. "[Midas] had sporadic representation in North America," says Embassy president Bryan Payne Jr. He says Embassy's sales team of 10 will represent Midas and the "beauty is, the scanning, prepress and proofing" for the jobs will be performed by Embassy, which will then transmit the files electronically overseas to be printed by Midas. Embassy will also receive commission on the sales. Payne Jr. would not disclose figures. For more on what Embassy's up to, look for an interview with Payne Jr. in an upcoming issue of Graphic Monthly, PrintCAN's pulp-and-ink sister title.

CCL Label and Davis + Henderson release third quarter earnings
TORONTO—Third quarter results are rolling in with CCL and Davis + Henderson reporting their numbers for the period ended September 30. Revenue at CCL's label division, including the sales of its European plants acquired in early 2002, was up 12.6% for the quarter. The company showed sales of $103.4 million compared to $91.8 million for the same period last year. The company is starting to see results from its restructuring program that had been implemented to reduce costs within the for the label division. The Davis + Henderson Income Fund is also showing profit, generating $56.8 million in sales for the third quarter. The Fund was created on December 20, 2001, and does not have comparative figures for previous years. So far, for its period-to-date, the Fund, which owns 100% of the Davis + Henderson business, has a revenue of $173.4 million.