Printcafe to Acquire printChannel
Pittsburgh-based software provider Printcafe Software Inc. signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets and intellectual property of printChannel Inc., a web-based procurement provider based in San Francisco. Details of the transaction weren't disclosed.
Printcafe announced that its strategic partner, Vancouver, British Columbia-based Creo Inc., will assume ownership and development responsibilities for the portion of printChannel's e-commerce technology related to content management and workflow. This includes variable printing optimization, soft proofing, imposition and PDF creation.
Marc Olin, Printcafe's president and CEO, said the company spoke in October with users representing approximately 80 percent of printChannel's transaction volume. "We anticipate that most of the printChannel customers will go forward with us," he said. More than 100 commercial printing firms (and approximately 1,200 of their customers) used printChannel's system for online ordering. Printcafe's software solutions have been installed by more than 4,000 customers, including 50 businesses in the Fortune 1000, according to Printcafe.
GBS Introduces New Identity
GBS Corp., a manufacturer based in North Canton, Ohio, announced changes to the names of the company's operating units and unveiled a corporate identity program to clarify its offerings and indicate the firm's direction.
GBS Document Solutions is the new name for GBS Management Systems, which provides printing, document management and related services. GBS Filing Solutions is the new name for GBS Filing Systems, which provides filing products and accessories. GBS Computer Solutions is the new name for GBS Computer Systems, which provides software and hardware to the health care, credit union and government markets.
GBS also redesigned its logo and introduced the tagline, "We have a solution for that." The firm's identity update was led by a cross-functional team, including members of its marketing, human resources, operations and quality departments, as well as by Hudson, Ohio-based advertising agency The Carson Group. GBS' logo and brand identity hadn't changed in 11 years. "Given the tremendous change that has taken place during that time within the industries we serve, we felt it was time to clarify our messaging," said Skip Dragoiu, GBS' president and CEO.
Ennis to Buy Land for New Headquarters
DeSoto, Texas-based manufacturer Ennis Business Forms Inc. entered into an agreement with the Corporation for the Economic Development of Midlothian, Texas, to purchase land for its corporate headquarters. The 4.8-acre site is located in the Walnut Grove Center North Business Park in Midlothian.
Keith Walters, Ennis' chairman, CEO and president, said the new headquarters will house both existing personnel in its leased facility in DeSoto and remaining administrative functions in Ennis, Texas.
Ennis operates 29 production facilities in 12 states. Its products include complex forms, laser cut sheets, negotiable documents, internal bank forms, tags, labels, presentation folders, commercial printing, advertising specialties, screenprinted products and point-of-purchase items.
Flint Ink, SICPA Agree to Transactions
Flint Ink Corp., a supplier based in Ann Arbor, Mich., and SICPA Group, an ink supplier based in Lausanne, Switzerland, agreed in principle to several transactions. Flint Ink will acquire SICPA's worldwide heatset and coldset inks businesses, and SICPA will acquire Flint Ink's worldwide security inks business.
The firms expect to finalize the agreements by the end of the month, following completion of due diligence and necessary board approvals.
Printing Pros Expect Improvements in 2003
One-third of all printing firms anticipate "excellent" conditions during the next 12 months, according to a survey by TrendWatch Graphic Arts, a New York-based group that monitors changes in the graphics, publishing and electronic-media markets. A majority of printing professionals expect improved business in 2003 and believe 2002 was a "bottoming out" period, according to the survey.
Quick printers are the most optimistic about business in 2003 (44 percent expect "excellent" conditions), and prepress firms are the least optimistic (26 percent), the survey indicated. Most printers expressed uneasiness about investing in new technologies and cited digital printing and wide-format ink jet printing as the best growth opportunities.
