White Stone, VA, April 2001 - On April 5 and 6, the Research and Engineering Council of the Graphic Arts Industry held its 43rd annual Binding, Finishing and Distribution conference in Chicago.  At the meeting, more than 200 postpress personnel from around the world gathered to learn the latest in technologies affecting their operations.  The conference, chaired by Ralph F. Box, Jr., senior vice president, sales, of Müller Martini, and Charles Dine, manager of corporate industrial engineering for Banta Corporation, featured keynote speeches by Harry V. Quadracci and Ron Musil.  Quadracci is the founder and president of Quad/Graphics, the largest privately held printer of magazines and catalogs in the Western Hemisphere, with annual sales of $2 billion and 13,000 employees in 37 production facilities on three continents.  Musil is president of the Banta Book Group. In addressing the meeting, Quadracci challenged attendees to work together to achieve US Postal Service postal reform for the benefit of the printing industry.  Musil told the crowd that success in the competitive printing industry of today requires steadfast commitment to embracing and applying new technology in an effort to create advantages for customers.  Discussing the success of the seminar, R&E Council managing director Ronald L. Mihills said: No other meeting in the industry focuses solely on the latest in technology and processes for bindery and distribution.  This year, postpress personnel from across the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland heard the latest in operating techniques from users and vendors.    The 2001 R&E Council Binding Finishing and Distribution Conference also featured a display of the products which won the Binding Industries Association International Product of Excellence competition.  Copies of presentations made at the seminar may be found at www.recouncil.org. The Research & Engineering Council of the Graphic Arts Industry is dedicated to the education of printing industry personnel in the latest technologies and productivity improvement methods.  The Council conducts seminars at which publishers, printers, educators, consultants and suppliers meet to share information and learn about leading edge technologies affecting the graphic arts industry.  At three annual seminars Pressroom, Bindery, and Digital Networked Production Systems the latest technologies are reviewed in the context of actual print production.  The Council also holds technology breakfasts at key industry trade shows, and an annual meeting highlighting critical trends in the graphic arts industry.  Information regarding membership and seminars is available from the Council at 804-436-9922, at [email protected], or at www.recouncil.org.  Hear It Here First at the R&E Council.