New Company Will Provide Senior Management to Existing Print Enterprises

FORT WASHINGTON, PA - Nicholas Karabots, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of The Spartan Organization, Inc. and other privately held companies in printing, publishing and other related and unrelated industries announced today that Eric Roberts has assumed the position of President of a newly formed company named Kappa Printing Management Associates, LLC (KPMA). KPMA managed companies currently include Kappa Graphics in Pittston, PA and Craftline Printing in Ft. Wayne, IN. These companies print and manufacture products such as puzzle magazines and books, coloring and activity books, specialty magazines, giant sticker books, large format maps and atlases and other juvenile and educational print products. Mr. Roberts will drive growth and profit through the implementation of best sales, production and purchasing practices while also developing new publishing products and services.

Mr. Karabots stated: “We are very pleased with our long term successes in our varied businesses inclusive of the performance over the years within our print facilities and recognize that in order to build further in this technological age that we required someone with a strong background in sales and technology to lead us to an even higher level of quality and service. We believe that Eric clearly has the vision and the experience necessary to further expand on our capabilities and resultant additional growth within all aspects of printing, and thus welcome him into our family of companies.”

Roberts has worked in a variety of media including digital, sheetfed, heatset and coldset web printing, studio photography, video production and desktop publishing. Previously, he was Vice President, Sales and Marketing for New York based Stellar, Inc., a leading publication enterprise located just minutes from Times Square. Additionally, he was Vice President, Sales and Administration for Philadelphia-based Bartash, Inc, a cold-web publication printer which enjoyed more than 25% revenue growth during his tenure. He was also Director of Strategic Marketing for The Hennegan Company, a nationally-based, award-winning, annual report and luxury lithographer headquartered in the Cincinnati area, and while based in New Jersey for book manufacturing and direct mail leader Lehigh Press, he was the Director of Graphics Technology for facilities across the United States and Puerto Rico. After earning degrees in Printing and Broadcasting in the Philadelphia area, Mr. Roberts earned his BA in Media Studies from Arizona State University. 

Mr. Roberts adds: "I am delighted to have this exciting opportunity to grow these companies and increase their value proposition, but I am equally excited to help provide existing customers with pragmatic solutions and the best service possible in print publishing today. Currently, there are plans underway for some exciting equipment acquisitions which will allow the individual companies to offer better print products and to deliver these products faster than ever.” 

KPMA provides senior management to Kappa Graphics in Pittston, PA and Craftline Printing in Ft. Wayne, IN. The companies offer full sheetfed, heatset and coldset web pressrooms, an integrated digital press platform, large bindery capacity including perfect binding, as well as sophisticated fulfillment, mailing and distribution capabilities via their affiliated product fulfillment companies. Kappa Graphics and Craftline Printing continue to build on their reputation for award-winning service, quality, and innovation.