MONROVIA, Calif., July 20 - Plastech Specialties Company, a specialty printer that manufactures plastic point-of-purchase material for leading retailers and consumer goods companies, announced today the acquisition On-Line Imaging, Inc., a Duarte, CA based company that provides Plastech with state-of-the-art high-speed color printing and full pre-press capabilities. The combined companies are immediately able to provide customers with significantly improved turn-around times at reduced cost. Savings stem from lower pre-production and set-up costs, plus lower inventory carrying costs, since customers can now order economically in smaller quantities. "We're very excited about this strategic acquisition'', says Pat Delaney, President of Plastech Specialties. "Our customers have consistently defined shorter lead-times as their primary need. This acquisition enables us to provide products and services that will allow buyers to improve their point of purchase materials and programs. Our products are typically complex, requiring several operations, and we are now in a position to turn orders around within 72 hours or less. This means reduced inventories and greater flexibility for our customers.'' On-Line Imaging's technology also allows customers to input variable data on each item. This allows customers to have materials personalized for individual recipients or numbered sequentially for better tracking purposes, as is done for prepaid telephone and gas cards, employee name badges and similar items. Plastech Specialties does not plan any employee reductions as a result of this acquisition. "Quite the opposite,'' comments Delaney. "We plan to add employees as we grow''. On-Line Imaging, Inc. will continue to operate and service its own customers as a division of Plastech. Plastech Specialties Company, privately held and based in Monrovia, CA, has been printing store signage for retailers and brand manufacturers nationwide since 1929. Plastech's current specialty is printing on plastic, such items as produce and price signs, danglers, tent cards, static cling signs, large format banners and shelf-talkers. Plastech is a member of POPAI, the Point of Purchase Advertising Institute.