February 28, 2008
Accelerated capital cost allowance extended
OTTAWA—The federal government is extending the accelerated capital cost allowance program it introduced in March 2007 for another three years on a declining basis. The two-year write-off period, introduced in March 2007, has been extended by another year, to purchases made before December 31, 2009. After that, the CCA rate will be provided on a declining basis: 40% in year two and 30% in year three. The accelerated rules were first introduced in the 2007 budget when the CCA was increased to 50% from 30%, applicable to equipment purchases made before December 31, 2008. The program was announced in broad strokes in the federal budget introduced on February 26. PrintCan will post details as they become available from Revenue Canada.

Transcontinental invests in Interweb Montreal plant
MONTREAL—Transcontinental is investing $20 million in equipment for its South Shore, Transcontinental Interweb Montreal printing facility, the company announced today. Among the new gear heading to Interweb, are a SUNDAY 3000 press, Buhrs 4000 polybag line and a Goss SP2200 stitcher. A redesign of the plant, which prints magazines, newspapers, and catalogue, is also planned.

February 26, 2008
Quebecor World to continue to print for Rona, credit protection extended
MONTREAL—Quebecor World finalized a five-year deal last week with retailer Rona to continue printing its advertising material, which includes its retail flyers. Quebecor will also supply advertising and campaign management software for the home renovation company.

Neither company provided the financial details of the deal, but the Canadian Press reported industry observers estimate it could be between $25 and $30 million.

In other Quebecor World news, a judge has extended the company’s creditor protection until May 12, after a monitor overseeing the case told Quebec Superior Court the company’s cash flows have increased since being placed under court protection in January.

Quebec printer expands with Fuji
SAINT-GEORGES, QC—Imprimerie Moderne de Beauce has added a Fujifilm Luxel V-6 scalable violet CTP platesetter with Celebrant workflow to its Quebec pressroom. Imprimerie Moderne wanted equipment that would improve overall productivity and print higher line screens, up to 250 lpi. The shop has been in business since 1945 and employs 25.

With the new Fujifilm gear is plant manger Timmy Quingley.

February 21, 2008
Transcontinental invests in newspaper printing facility, Olivier officially CEO
MONTREAL—Transcontinental will invest $60 million in new equipment for its Transmag newspaper printing plant in Montreal, the company announced yesterday. Transmag prints dozens of daily and weekly newspapers as well as specialty publications and when the expansion is completed in 2009, will offer Transcontinental clients the option to include 100% colour on each page. Some of the gear coming to the plant includes a MAN Roland CIC 8 web press and an ultra violet UV dryer. Transmag will also be expanded to 145,000 sq. ft. from its current size of 80,000 sq. ft. to accommodate the new additions.

In other Transcontinental news, Francois Olivier officially became president and CEO yesterday. He replaced Luc Desjardins, who left the company after eight years.

Trade Watch—Another slow month on the trade front
OTTAWA—December data from Statistics Canada show another slow month of trading activity, with both imports and exports falling, just as they did in November. Exports to the U.S. dropped to $84.39 million, down from $97.39 at the same time last year. Imports from the U.S. also slid, coming in at $64.14 million in 2007, compared to $79.91 million in December of 2006. Imports from China dropped slightly to $13.62 million, down from $14.13 million in 2006. The trade balance for 2007 slid to $72.89 million, a long way down from the previous year’s figure of $239.34 million—that’s a 69.5% drop.

February 15, 2008
Transcontinental lands six-year contract to print all Rogers’ magazines
MONTREAL—Transcontinental has signed a six-year contract to print Roger’s entire magazine portfolio, which includes more than 70 titles, the company announced Friday. The contract is valued at $210 million and begins Feb. 1, 2009. The magazines will be printed across the country, including the RBW Graphics facility in Owen Sound, Ont.

Alain Paquin

MONTREAL—Komunik president Alain Paquin was named CEO of the year by his peers in the technology industry at the CEO Vision conference last week. The award honours IT CEOs that have made major contributions to the industry in the past year.

With a partner, Paquin founded Komunik in 2000 with just three employees, and has seen the company grow to employ more than 700 and enjoy annual revenues of $115 million since its acquisition of Datamark last year.

Phipps Dickson Integria makes 50 Best Managed Companies list
MONTREAL—Commercial printer Phipps Dickson Integria (PDI) has been named one of Canada’s 50 best-managed companies for 2007, the company reported this week. More than 10,000 companies entered the competition. The Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies award recognizes Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues of more than $10 million annually. A company’s commitment, financials, strategy and capability are all considered.
PDI is based in LaSalle, Que. and provides offset and digital print production, Internet services and pre-media to clients across North America.

Canadians say newspapers are a turn-on
TORONTO—The results of a recent Ipsos Reid poll reveals that when it comes to romance, the printed word is sexy. Sponsored by the Canadian Newspaper Association (CNA), more than 1,400 Canadians were asked what qualities they looked for in a partner. 86% of women said their ideal mate would read at least one paper a day, and 80% of men agreed. One in ten people said they’d prefer a mate that read four or more papers a day.

February 12, 2008
Topline relocates stateside
MISSISSAUGA, ON—Topline Printing & Graphics Group is scaling back its Canadian business operations and transferring about 90% to 95% of its equipment and capacity to Florida over the next six months. President Grant Morris has been operating out of Florida for the past several years, where the company already has sales and printing facilities. But he said that about seven to eight months ago management decided to transfer the Canadian operations south. He cited several reasons: most of Topline’s business now comes from the U.S. so it makes logistical and economic sense to operate there, especially in light of the dollar parity; and there’s more incentives to operating a manufacturing facility in the sunshine state than in Ontario. Morris said that some prepress and about 15 staff will remain at the Mississauga facility, but the U.S. operation will tally about 75 employees. GM Scott Morris is also expected to move to Florida.

Quebecor World signs and renews multi-year contracts
MONTREAL—Quebecor World has renewed and signed multi-year agreements with several publishers, direct marketers and retailers over the last few weeks, the company announced yesterday. The value of these contracts comes in at more than $75 million annually, and includes one with direct marketing company, Imagitas, which deals with products manufactured in Quebecor World’s Book and Direct Mail facilities. Quebecor World has also secured a five-year deal to print nine magazines published by U.S.-based Stamats Business Media, as well as five long-tem renewals in its Retail and Catalog Division.

Ontario shop steps it up with new DocuColor install
Wilts International Communications has added a 42” Xerox DocuColor 250 with professional finisher to its shop. The Sunderland, Ont.-based company provides digital printing and print project management to commercial printers as well as web hosting, design and management for clients across North America. Wilts International has been in business since 2003 and has 8 full-time employees.

With the new gear is Chris Wilton, president of Wilts International Communications.

February 7, 2008
Adobe to discontinue stock photo service
SAN JOSE, CA—Adobe is getting out of the stock photo business in the spring, the company has announced, and will discontinue its royalty-free image service on April 4. Customers will be able to search for photos until March 4, and purchase them until March 31. The company says it made the decision to focus attention to other areas. For more information, visit www.adobe.com

February 5, 2008
Toronto shop goes processless
TORONTO—Franchise trade printer Business Cards Tomorrow Toronto has brought its platemaking in-house with the installation of a Fujifilm Dart 4300E, Rampage workflow, and Epson 7800. According to BCT Toronto, the processless system was chosen to accommodate its growing business. BCT Toronto, a wholesaler of thermographed and flat offset commercial stationary, has been in business more than 20 years and employs 16 people.

With the new equipment from left to right are: Jonathan Chung and Patrick Ng; both from BCT Toronto, and Steve Davies, Fujifilm Canada.

February 1, 2008
BGM Imaging sold to TI Group and SCL Imaging
TORONTO—The TI Group and SCL Imaging have purchased BGM Imaging but all three will preserve their names and continue to be operated separately, the companies announced yesterday. The transaction is expected to officially close within a few days.

With the recent installation of a MAN Roland 900 XXL press, the TI Group says it’s better equipped to handle longer runs of large-format print jobs. SCL Imaging specializes in long-run digital printing, and BGM prints fabric, solar screens and wall coverings and caters to many corporate clients. BGM’s operations will be housed at SCL Imaging's Scarborough, Ont. facility but will keep its Toronto address.