New Survey Report Takes Fact-Based Look at Label & Packaging Market Realities

Published November 11, 2014

Filtering what we know from what we think we know about label and packaging market trends is the objective of “Emerging Technologies for Packaging Innovation,” a newly published report from GrCI Cal Poly and Packaging World.

The Beauty of Packaging

Published October 27, 2014

Sometimes, it’s good to step back from the speeds, feeds, and tech specs to reflect on the fact that packages and labels can be, well, downright beautiful. Eye-beguiling examples of the aesthetic gems that high-end production makes possible are all over the Internet.

Impact of the Internet on Print

Published October 21, 2014

Messe Düsseldorf, the organizer of the drupa trade fair, recently published a “drupa Global Insights Report” on the impact of the Internet on print. It’s based on responses to a survey from more than 1,000 senior decision-makers in the printing industry, including 240 who furnished personal examples of the impact in their own companies.

The Wrap: Label and Packaging Production Solutions at Graph Expo/CPP 2014 (Part 3)

Published October 21, 2014

Post-processing equipment and software solutions for labels and packaging were well represented at Graph Expo/CPP, which has come into its own as a showcase for these applications.

The Wrap: Label and Packaging Production Solutions at Graph Expo/CPP 2014 (Part 2)

Published October 14, 2014

The productive, colorful, versatile, and cost efficient digital systems for labels and packaging on display at Graph Expo 2014 will come to be seen as inevitable investments for every printing company that is serious about making it in the label and packaging business.

The Wrap: Label and Packaging Production Solutions at Graph Expo/CPP 2014 (Part 1)

Published October 7, 2014

Among printing systems for the quick, attractive, and cost efficient production of labels and packaging, none do it better than or nearly as often as offset and flexographic presses. Conventional label and packaging production was well represented at Graph Expo/CPP 2014.

MPS: A Multinational, Multi-Capable, and Multifaceted Packaging Producer

Published September 30, 2014

With a manufacturing footprint that spans more than 50 plants on three continents, Multi Packaging Solutions (MPS) stands at the crossroads of nearly every major market and technological trend in packaging production. In this interview, MPS’s Erin Willigan talks about what it takes for a diversified packaging company to remain a leader on a global scale.

Packagers Are Urged to Come to CPP Expo for the “Best Technology Investment Opportunities in Converting and Package Printing”

Published September 23, 2014

Co-located with Graph Expo, the CPP Expo for packaging specialists does full justice to the term “show within a show” by offering a rich mix of exhibits, educational sessions, and technology investment opportunities.

Flexo in the 21st Century

Published September 23, 2014

Brian Cook, Senior Applications Development Specialist at MacDermid Printing Solutions, talks to Pat Henry about what flexo is like in the 21st century.

How Metallic Effects Help Brands Stand Out in Packaging

Published September 22, 2014

Mark Geeves, Director of Sales and Marketing for Color Logic, talks to Pat Henry about why metallic effects are important in brand packaging. Mark also discusses the ways in which Color Logic makes metallic effects more productive and easier to implement.

“Virtuous and Healthy” Packaging

Published September 18, 2014

“Virtuous and healthy: those are the attributes of tomorrow’s packaging.” That proposition keynotes Packaging trends / The future of manufacturing, a white paper addressing the ethical as well as the technical mandates that packaging manufacturers must uphold in changing consumer cultures.

The Differences Between Commercial Finishing and Digital Finishing

Published September 17, 2014

Steve Bennett of Esko Graphics discusses digital finishing and the importance of recognizing the differences between commercial finishing and digital finishing.

Global Vision Protects Brands and Consumers with Package Printing Inspection

Published September 16, 2014

Rob Jennings, Account Executive at Global Vision, talks to Pat Henry about how their inspection systems help to keep packaging print accurate across multiple industries. They also discuss their new Proofware cloud-based brand packaging inspection suite.

GCS Sets Scholarship Record of $62,000 to Graphic Communication Students

Published September 15, 2014

David Luke, President of GCSF, and Pat Henry talk about the history of the organization and where things are today with their vision of consolidating scholarships through all-volunteer work without overhead costs.

CPG Companies Urged to Prepare for a “1-5-10” Digital Future

Published September 12, 2014

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies need to plan for a “1-5-10” market in the United States during the next five years, in which digital’s current 1 percent penetration will likely expand to 5 percent and could accelerate to as much as 10 percent in short order. The source is a new report, The Digital Future: A Game Plan for Consumer Packaged Goods, prepared for the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Google, and Information Resources, Inc. (IRI).

Esko's Brand Owner Program Helps Customers Improve Brand Positioning

Published September 10, 2014

Heidi Larson of Esko talks about their Brand Owner Program and how it helps their customers improve their packaging design and artwork management.

Growing Appreciation for Versatile Substrate Keeps the Pace Brisk at Axis Corrugated Container

Published September 9, 2014

Corrugated board meets a wide range of consumer and non-consumer packaging requirements. Customers who appreciate the full range of functional and creative possibilities with corrugated board are turning to Axis Corrugated Container for help in migrating their packages to the substrate.

The Current State of Process Automation in Print

Published September 8, 2014

Alex Hamilton, Director of Business Development at Enfocus, gives us some insight into the current state of process management and automation in the industry and the packaging segment specifically.

How Esko and Cape Systems Optimize Packaging for Palletization

Published September 3, 2014

Brad Leonard, Global Business Development - Cape at Esko, gets us up to speed on the Cape unit and gives Pat Henry a beginner's course on "palletization" and how Cape/Esko are able to help optimize the variables that go into it.

Continuing Innovation in Flexographic Printing at DuPont

Published September 2, 2014

Pat Henry talks to Cori Devlin, Technical Service Consultant at DuPont Packaging Graphics, about how flexography has changed for the better.

Esko Helps Solve Problems with Package Printing Workflows

Published August 27, 2014

Jan De Roeck, Director of Solutions Management at Esko, talks to Pat Henry about the common problems in packaging workflows and how Esko helps them solve them.

For Packagers, Some (Pet) Food for Thought

Published August 27, 2014

We Americans love our pets, and there’s no surer proof than the staggering sums we spend on feeding them. That spending drives a gravy train for packagers serving the pet food vertical.

Redefining Print: Joel Quadracci Discusses Quad/Graphics and the View from the Industry’s Front Ranks

Published August 25, 2014

At the recent PRIMEX East leadership conference by IDEAlliance, Quad/Graphics Chairman, President and CEO Joel Quadracci gave a keynote presentation in which he reviewed the state of the industry, discussed the impact of new technologies, and commented on Quad’s rise to the number two position among all U.S. printing firms.

"Mobile Activated Media" Combines Print and Mobile for Better Marketing

Published August 25, 2014

John Puterbaugh, EVP and Chief Digital Officer for Nellymoser, talks to Pat Henry about mobile media and mobile marketing. John explains a philosophy called "mobile activated media".

Consumers Say, “Nice Package,” but Only Up to a Point

Published August 20, 2014

If looks were everything, consumers would be over the moon about their packaging. According to packaging solutions provider MeadWestvaco, appearance is the one aspect of packages that consumers rate higher in performance than they do in importance. It's what prompts two-thirds of them to buy products off the shelf without knowing anything about them or doing any research into them.

Choosing “Commitment” as Its Brand Identity, Lofton Label Regroups and Succeeds

Published August 19, 2014

Lofton Label targets its vertical markets with care and serves its customers with scrupulous attention to detail. In this company profile, CEO Mike Lane talks about how he developed the objectives and implemented the strategy that turned the business around.

The Challenges of MIS for the Packaging Sector

Published August 19, 2014

Pat Henry talks to Wilhelm Welsch, Managing Director at The Quick Brown Fox, about the unique challenges for MIS in the packaging sector.

The Continued Success of EskoWorld

Published August 15, 2014

Pat Henry talks to Carsten Knudsen, CEO and President of Esko, and they talk about the success of EskoWorld 2014. The conference continues to grow and Knudsen discusses some of the reasons.

The Resilience of the Printed Magazine

Published August 11, 2014

At IDEAlliance PRIMEXEAST Pat Henry interviewed Malcolm Netburn, Chairman of CDS Global about the pressure magazines are under and why so many new magazines are started and why they are resilient.

EskoWorld 2014 Puts Spotlight on Branded Packaging

Published July 21, 2014

In one way or another, making packages better vehicles for brand communication underlay most of the presentations at EskoWorld 2014, a user conference that drew more than 700 people to Orlando. Esko also used the occasion to launch Suite 14, a software collection that aims to provide a common interface for all participants in the package creation workflow.

Inkjet’s Irresistible Rise Is Showcased at FESPA Digital 2014

Published June 13, 2014

Last month, being in touch with the latest developments in wide-format inkjet printing for graphic arts and industrial applications meant being at FESPA Digital, a European trade expo billing itself as the “largest focused digital print exhibition worldwide this year.”

In Europe, Canon Seeks the Spotlight with “Niagara” Inkjet Press and Other Product-Launch Announcements

Published June 3, 2014

Eager to promote the outcomes of its integration with Océ, Canon is making a concerted marketing effort to acquaint printers worldwide with the merged product lines and ongoing progress in R&D. Lately, Canon has been concentrating the effort in Europe, where it recently made a series of major announcements about new digital printing systems.

Heidelberg CEO Talks to Pat Henry about Digital

Published April 8, 2014

Dr. Gerold Linzbach, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Heidelberg, talks to Pat Henry at the Digital Sneak Peek Event. They discuss the addition of digital to Heidelberg's product line up.

See Also: In a “Digital Sneak Peek,” Heidelberg Offers First Word on New Products and a Promise of a Changed Attitude

In a “Digital Sneak Peek,” Heidelberg Offers First Word on New Products and a Promise of a Changed Attitude

Published April 8, 2014

In announcing a new and in some ways strikingly different digital strategy, Heidelberg has acknowledged that it can no longer live by sheetfed sales and its own technologies alone.

DG3 Blasts Off into High-Volume Personalization with the Debut of Its HP T230 Color Inkjet Web Press

Published March 4, 2014

The installation lets customers add high-volume digital web printing to the array of services they buy from DG3, one of the top providers print and visual communication products in the Northeast.

Just Between Us: Peering into the Inner Workings of Peer Groups

Published February 24, 2014

Some printers draw their power from peer groups: small, private circles of owners who use candor and confidentiality to solve common problems and share models for business success.

NPOA: Newest Star in the Association Constellation Aims to Be the Brightest for Quick and Small Firms

Published February 14, 2014

For an organization that’s said to have come into existence almost by accident, the National Print Owners Association (NPOA) has traveled a remarkably long way in a surprisingly short time.

IDEAlliance, TAGA, and Their Quests to Make Sense of It All

Published February 7, 2014

IDEAlliance and TAGA are closest things that the industry has to “brain trusts”: trade associations that have taken upon themselves the daunting task of curating the industry’s practical intellectual capital.

Association Activism at the Grass Roots: PIAlliance, PGAMA, and PIASC

Published January 31, 2014

If all politics is local, the same is true of the work done by the printing industry’s regional trade associations. The executive directors of three PIA regional affiliates discuss how they bring grass-roots insight to the universal challenges of trade association management.

PIA and NAPL: Where They Are, and Where They Go from Here

Published January 21, 2014

Because they mirror the industry they serve, the printing industry’s two principal trade associations are seeing a picture they may sometimes have trouble recognizing. But, the groups say they have adapted to circumstances, learned from mistakes, and committed themselves to strategies for stability.

With the Ring of a Bell and a Self-Confident Flourish, Kodak Returns to the New York Stock Exchange

Published January 17, 2014

Kodak’s renewed self-confidence as a B2B company focused on imaging for business was on full display as the company grandly relisted its common stock at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on January 8.

Customized W2P: the New Ingredient for Success in M&As

Published November 25, 2013

Pinpointing the characteristics that make some printing companies more economically attractive than others is the short version of the mission of New Direction Partners (NDP), a consultancy specializing in mergers and acquisitions in the graphic communications industry. Some of these earmarks are classic indicators of the health of a business: cash flow, accounts receivable, EBITDA, and so on. Others, however, stem from emerging trends that NDP monitors as M&A influencers for the industry as a whole.

First Customer-Sited Demo Facility for Kodak Is a North Carolina Printing Company More than Worthy of the Distinction

Published November 11, 2013

When Walter Payne entered the printing business from another career, he knew he’d want to do more than printing. Today, his company is so multi-functional that Kodak is using part of the plant as a demo facility for some of its most advanced digital production technologies.

Dainippon Screen Joins the Push for What It Sees as the Irresistible Rise of Inkjet

Published October 28, 2013

Dainippon Screen wants to be a major part of the conversation about the rise of inkjet and the fall of old assumptions about print production. But, as inkjet comes to the fore, the conversation could get uncomfortably blunt for some.

Some Ways to Make Them Say, “I Didn’t Know They Could Do That with Print!”

Published September 19, 2013

Print has abundant possibilities as a creative medium—an attribute that deserves more attention from creatives than it sometimes gets.

In the Print M&A Marketplace, Amateurs and Generalists Need Not Apply

Published September 13, 2013

You’ve placed your company's future into the hands of a self-styled M&A adviser. But do you truly understand what your agent’s qualifications are and where the relationship is going to take you?

No Matter What Its Critics Say, Print Is Doing Just Fine, Thank You

Published September 10, 2013

Ah, the travails of traditional media. Who among us hasn’t stifled a groan, or at least a yawn, upon being reminded by the digerati that the path ahead for print leads nowhere else but down?

Determined to “Prosper” in Digital Print, AGS Turns to Kodak Inkjet Web Press

Published September 9, 2013

The centerpiece of digital production at AGS Print & Marketing Communications is an inkjet web press with a combination of capabilities that the president of the company calls “marketing’s Holy Grail” for print.

Kodak Proclaims, “We Are Ready” for Whatever Life after Chapter 11 May Bring

Published September 6, 2013

On Kodak’s first full day in business after emerging from bankruptcy, Antonio Perez, its chairman and CEO, detailed the company’s plans to rebuild its stature as a supplier of technology solutions in a narrower cross-section of markets than it once served.

Why Going It Alone in an M&A Can Mean Going Nowhere at All

Published August 5, 2013

Printers are self-reliant by nature. But, the pitfalls of selling a company or buying one without expert assistance should make even the most rugged individualist think twice.

Strategizing the Acquisition: A Road Map for Buyers

Published July 22, 2013

Today, for many printers, “growth” means “growth by acquisition.” In strategizing a deal to buy another company, purchase price is not the first thing to focus on.

Expectations are High for Xerox CiPress Coming on Stream at R. E. Gilmore Corporation

Published July 19, 2013

At R.E. Gilmore Corporation, the Xerox CiPress will hit the ground running in an environment where high-volume digital printing is both a specialty and an everyday routine.

The Print 13 Decision and Its Rationale: An Interview with Heidelberg’s Andy Rae

Published June 19, 2013

Heidelberg won’t be at Print 13, but the company says it has other means of telling its story and exhibiting its wares. This interview casts light on Heidelberg’s new marketing strategy.

When Sellers Say, ‘Show Me the Money,’ What Should They Expect to See?

Published June 7, 2013

Everyone with a printing company to sell dreams of making a deal with full payment in cash at closing. That’s an achievable outcome for some sellers, but not for others. Two case studies provide a helpful dose of realism.

Why Printers Must Ask Themselves, “Is My Business Irreplaceable?”

Published May 6, 2013

The profitability gap between the best-performing and the weakest printing firms is wider than ever. It reflects the difference between the “haves”—firms with effective strategies for competitive differentiation—and the “have nots,” which lack them.

Definitions Shift and Understandings Change as “Printing” Takes On a Third Dimension

Published April 29, 2013

Although it may be difficult for traditionalists to imagine, “printing” can be done in more dimensions than two. The Inside Printing 3D Conference and Expo made clear why this high-touch manufacturing process is gaining increased attention both as an emerging technology and as an investment opportunity.

Andy Rae of Heidelberg on Consultative Selling and Workflow Efficiency

Published April 12, 2013

Andy Rae, SVP of Equipment at Heidelberg, talks to Pat Henry about adding a new dimension of consultative selling and how they are helping customers improve throughput and workflow processes.

We Have A Pope—and His Apostle to the Printers

Published April 1, 2013

In one of his first official acts since his election as pontiff, Pope Francis has unveiled a radically new strategy for proselytizing to the world: he’ll carry on the work of St. Peter through an international network of printing companies he intends the Church to acquire.

Integrating Impika: A Talk with Xerox’s Andrew Copley

Published March 26, 2013

Although the ink is barely dry on the deal that has made Impika a unit of Xerox, the acquirer believes that bringing its target into the fold will give it the major-player status in inkjet that it has been seeking.

Printing Industries Alliance Hosts A Solid and Satisfying “Innovation Forum” on Long Island

Published March 22, 2013

Regional printing trade shows mostly are things of the past - vendors can’t justify the expense of exhibiting at these local affairs, and printers can’t find the time to attend them. All of the above may be true, but in spite of that, members of the industry still find value in the knowledge-sharing camaraderie that only face-to-face encounters can provide.

Is Kodak Finally Nearing the End of Its Journey from Silver Halide to Silver Lining?

Published March 20, 2013

Kodak has had some serious losses to report lately. But, the company insists that other numbers make more sense to focus on as it drives ahead with its plan to emerge from bankruptcy.

What's the Good Word in Mergers and Acquisitions? Most of the Time, Ssshhh!

Published March 7, 2013

If silence is golden in most of the affairs of life, in M&A transactions, it’s pure platinum. Nothing assures a better outcome for a deal—or yields a worse one if it’s violated—than maintaining a policy of tight information control while negotiations are under way.

Contrary to Reports, Ferrostaal Continues to Operate in North America; Relationship with Ryobi Remains Intact

Published February 22, 2013

Rumors were circulating earlier this week about the reported closure of Ferrostaal Equipment Solutions North America Inc., but the facts don’t bear them out. WhatTheyThink has learned that the Houston, TX based print equipment and services provider remains in operation, albeit with a new president, a smaller staff, and a reduced portfolio.

Gotcha! Heading Off the Hassles of Inconvenient Truths in M&As

Published February 15, 2013

Sometimes, sheer embarrassment can kill a merger—the shock of suddenly having to account for issues that ought to have been dealt with earlier in the process. Privately held printing companies can be prone to the kinds of errors that embarrass sellers and thwart M&As.

To B2 or Not To B2? Sandy Alexander Says ‘Yes’ in Its Beta Test of an HP Indigo 10000 Digital Press

Published February 11, 2013

Many in the industry are still speculating about where B2-format digital presses fit into the scope of commercial print production. Sandy Alexander is weighing the merits of B2 digital printing for itself by beta-testing one of the most advanced examples of the technology.

Ipex Redux: UK-Based Trade Show Gets A New Digital Direction for 2014

Published February 7, 2013

No trade show has taken more lumps lately than Ipex, the quadrennial print and graphic media expo in the UK. But its owner has declared that when Ipex opens for a six-day run in London on March 24, 2014, it will be a new show with a sharper focus and greater value for exhibitors and attendees alike.

Citing Diminished Relevance of Traditional Trade Shows, Kodak to Bow Out of Most Events

Published January 28, 2013

Don’t look for exhibits by Eastman Kodak Co. at Print 13 in Chicago this year, at IPEX 14 in the U.K next year, or at most other graphic communications trade shows after that. In a statement published last Friday, the company announced it would significantly reduce its participation in conventional trade shows and turn to other means of engaging with its customers.

The Edge of Technology, the Color of Success

Published January 18, 2013

WhatTheyThink recently visited two German printing houses that provide an aspirational lesson for printers everywhere who want to know how far investments in production technologies can take growth-minded companies.

In Year-End Review, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG Sums Up and Looks Ahead

Published January 15, 2013

Still #1 in sheetfed, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG nevertheless is adjusting to a new place in an industry over which it used to loom larger. Its leaders outlined the company’s go-forward strategy in a year-end media briefing that hinted at significant change to come.

A Print Business Pro Takes the Long View of an Industry in Transition

Published January 14, 2013

In real estate, they say, it’s all about location, location, location. In business consulting, the triple crown is perspective, perspective, perspective. The most recent addition to the consulting team at New Direction Partners brings a long and multi-angled view of the printing industry to his new role as an architect of mergers and acquisitions within it.

Kodak Exec Says Company Has Reached “Turning Point” in Quest to Emerge from Chapter 11

Published November 26, 2012

As it has at previous stages of its effort to put its troubles behind it, Kodak has reached out to the trade media with another update on the progress it claims to be making toward orderly emergence from bankruptcy. We spoke recently with Chris Payne, Kodak’s vice president - marketing, business to business, about the latest developments and about Kodak’s long-term plan to renew itself as a provider of graphic production technologies.

NDP's Steenburgh Asks: As We Grow Our Businesses, Are We Having "Fun" Yet?

Published November 6, 2012

Frank Steenburgh says one thing his long experience as a business-builder has taught him is that growing revenues and profit will always be more fun and rewarding than cutting costs. Read why.

Some Metro Firms Report Recovery in Sandy’s Devastating Wake

Published November 2, 2012

No small part of the $50 billion economic loss being attributed to storm Sandy will come from business interruptions suffered by printing firms throughout the tristate metro region. Wherever the damage was worst, the toll taken on these highly vulnerable manufacturing operations was highest. Many remain out of commission, their electrical power gone, their communications severed, their work piling up, and their employees stranded at home with gas gauges pointing at empty.

70 Strong At Graph Expo, AlphaGraphics and Its Franchisees Look Forward to Better Times Under New Ownership

Published October 30, 2012

AlphaGraphics franchise owners came en masse to Graph Expo 2012, where Art Coley, the president of the network, briefed WhatTheyThink on steps taken to revitalize the business centers and the company as whole.

All the News from Lake Ontario: Kodak and Xerox Offer Updates on Their Strategic Plans at Graph Expo

Published October 23, 2012

At Graph Expo, both presented status reports: Kodak, on continuing to manage its emergence from bankruptcy; Xerox, on maintaining its commitment to graphics as the company shifts increasingly towards services.

How Valuation and Post-Transaction Intent Mold the Shape of M&As To Come

Published October 22, 2012

For printers seeking to acquire another company or to be acquired by one, the options are straightforward. Where does your business fit in the M&A planning matrix?

Tom Parrot of Excell Color Graphics on the evolution of the business and attending Graph Expo

Published October 16, 2012

Tom Parrot, President of Excell Color Graphics talks to Pat Henry about the origins of the company that started as a prepress shop, the evolution of the business, and the value in coming to Graph Expo.

Paul Mongoven of TPM Graphics on thriving in tough times and attending Graph Expo

Published October 15, 2012

Patrick Henry talks with Paul Mongoven, President of TPM Graphics, about their business and why they are thriving during tough times for the industry. Paul also talks about the importance of attending Graph Expo and what he gets from it.

Heidelberg's Uli Koehler talks about their service organization

Published October 12, 2012

Patrick Henry speaks with Heidelberg Senior Vice President Uli Koehler about their service organization, how they use it to support their customers, as well as details on how the market changes have impacted service operations.

The "Great Communicator" Wows 'em in the Windy City with Something Very Tiny-and Potentially Very Huge

Published October 11, 2012

Nobody else could have made as persuasive a case for an as-yet unproven technology as Benny Landa did at Graph Expo when he captivated a crowd with his vision of nanographic printing.

Brad Krutchen of Kodak on his new division and impressions of Graph Expo

Published October 10, 2012

Kodak President of Graphics, Entertainment, and Commercial Film talks to Pat Henry about his relatively new division and gets his impressions of Graph Expo 2012.

Silence, or Something Pleasantly Close to It, Is Golden at Graph Expo

Published October 10, 2012

If you listen closely, you can hear the new, quieter sound of Graph Expo. It's easier on the ears, and it makes for a much improved trade show experience.

HP's Sumeer Chandra on Recent Business Unit Reorganization

Published September 27, 2012

Pat Henry interviews HP's Worldwide Marketing & Strategy VP for Graphic Solutions Business Sumeer Chandra, who talks about the reorganization of the graphics business and the strategy moving forward. Sumeer also gives a good overview of the Atlanta Experience Center.

A Print Industry "Oligopoly" is on the Way: Are You In, or Are You Out?

Published September 18, 2012

Given present trends, the industry could be dominated by a relative handful of firms in a few years. Some companies can grow profitably into this new landscape. Others can make a safe exit before it fully unfolds. Each outcome demands a strategy-now.

Visit to HP “Experience Center” Finds the Graphic Solutions Business Unit in “Business as Usual” Mode

Published August 24, 2012

Recent news from HP has been turbulent, raising questions about the status of the company’s graphics business. Some light was shed last week at a customer event at HP’s Graphic Arts Experience Center.

Pouring Another Cup O’ Joe: Points for Sellers to Ponder as the M&A Climate Improves

Published August 14, 2012

A pent-up eagerness for deals makes it all the more important for those venturing back into the M&A marketplace as sellers to be clear about why they should sell—and why buyers should want to acquire them.

Fail To Plan, Plan To Fail: the Necessity of Strategizing Acquisitions

Published July 30, 2012

It may be possible to run a printing company without a formal plan, but buying or selling a printing company will be very difficult to bring off successfully without the help of a written roadmap. An acquisition plan is a vital navigation aid that guides the process and certifies the desirability of the deal.

Clean and Simple: FlexoConcepts Offers Uncomplicated Solution for Better Washups

Published July 3, 2012

With its microprocessors, relays, sensors, and software, a modern printing press is a marvel at squeezing time and cost out of production runs. But, one maker of press cleaning accessories contends that these complex systems can still get a big helping hand in a key press function from a simple but strategically placed strip of durable plastic.

Bernhard Schreier provides an update on Heidelberg's packaging initiatives

Published July 3, 2012

Steve Forbes Accepts 26th Prism Award from NYU-SCPS at Record-Setting Event

Published June 28, 2012

The graphic communications industry continues to struggle with declining sales, squeezed profit margins, restricted access to capital, and business pressures of every imaginable kind. But, none of that has dampened the enthusiasm of those who support the Prism Awards, a high-profile achievement recognition program that rings with optimism every year under the auspices of New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS).

M&A Mythbusting: Just How Good an Investment Is a General Commercial Printing Business?

Published June 12, 2012

Some think that general commercial printing companies aren’t worthy targets for acquisition by other printing firms. That’s a major misperception, say the M&A experts of NDP.

drupa Post-Show Report: Around the Messe in 50 Tweets

Published June 8, 2012

This time, instead of a long-form review of product announcements at drupa 2012, here are the highlights in a format that many of us are getting accustomed to: Tweetable bursts of 140 characters or less.

Two State-of-the-Industry Briefings at drupa Give Equal Reason for Optimism and Concern

Published May 21, 2012

“We need to be in the outcome business, not the output business,” said a printing executive at drupa. “They trust you,” said a senior spokesman for a vendor about the underlying strength of printer-customer relationships. Both presentations were rich in insights about the state of print markets and the prospects that printers will discover in them.

You Closed the Deal—What’s Next? Here Are the Steps To Take Now That the Ink Is Dry

Published May 15, 2012

Inking the merger of two printing companies is the formality that signals the beginning of the hard part: implementation. Methodical planning and careful communication can go a long way toward smoothing the transition.

At drupa, Senior Executives Take the 10,000-foot View

Published May 14, 2012

As would be expected during an event of this kind, most of the media briefings at drupa were focused on product announcements and technology introductions. From time to time, though, speakers put the salesmanship aside and offered broader commentary on industry trends and print market conditions.

Xerox “drupa Visualizer” Tracks Top Tweets and Trends

Published May 9, 2012

It's better to label drupa 2012 “the _______ drupa” with the prefix of your choice, so try dipping into the Xerox “drupa visualizer.” This live infographic lets Xerox track and share the top trends being discussed in relation to drupa across the Twitterverse.

First Reactions to drupa 2012: Searching for a “Big Picture” of the Big Show

Published May 8, 2012

What were the principal take-aways from drupa 2012? What was new and exciting in the exhibit halls? Where is the industry headed? We’re sifting our notebooks for the answers. In the meantime, here are some broad observations about the character and “feel” of the show.

President of drupa 2012 Bernhard Schreier: the drupa of Business Opportunities

Published May 8, 2012

Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberg and President of drupa 2012 answers Pat Henry's questions about the concepts and planning of this mammoth show in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Plaudits from Pundits Are Abundant in “Tribute to Tribute” at drupa

Published May 8, 2012

Regular readers of WhatTheyThink need no reminder of who Andy Tribute is or of how much value he has added to the WhatTheyThink editorial space. Admirers of his writing probably will not be surprised to learn that his peers hold him in as much personal affection as they do in professional esteem.

Package Printing to Be a Highlight of KBA’s drupa Presentations

Published May 2, 2012

Much of the activity at KBA’s stand in Hall 16 at drupa will center upon packaging, an application in which the company has always claimed a competitive edge. At drupa, KBA will reassert the claim with systems it describes as engineered to meet today’s highest-priority requirements in packaging production.