Sword, DMIA Publish XML Interface Standard Guide
Sword Microsystems, a software and e-commerce provider based in Huntsville, Ala., and DMIA published a guide to implementing standard electronic business transactions across the print-for-distribution industry. The guide is focused on using the PrintTalk™ XML-based standard.
For the past two years, various groups of organizations, including distributors, manufacturers, suppliers and software application firms, have analyzed the PrintTalk standard to determine its applicability to print distribution business transactions. In May, a consortium of 12 DMIA member companies initiated an effort to develop a guide for four primary transactions: an exact repeat purchase order, an order acknowledgement, a shipping notification and an invoice. The document published by Sword and DMIA presents the initial phase of that initiative.
PrintTalk embraces the use of Job Definition Format (JDF) and Commerce eXtensible Markup Language (cXML), a specification derived from the XML standard of the international World Wide Web Council. Financial services firms, telecommunications companies and others use XML to exchange information electronically. cXML enables programmers to create their own formatting tags, enabling transmission of data between different applications and organizations.
Avery Dennison Sells European Package Label Converting Business
Pasadena, Calif.-based supplier Avery Dennison Corporation completed the sale of its package label converting business in Europe to CCL Industries Inc., a label and packaging solutions company based in Toronto. The transaction involves the sale of two label converting facilities in Denmark and one in France.
Avery Dennison develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of products for consumer and industrial markets, including Avery-brand office products and graphics imaging media, Fasson-brand self-adhesive materials, peel-and-stick postage stamps, labeling and branding systems, and more. The company reported 2002 sales of $4.2 billion.
American Roller Purchases Champion Roller
American Roller Company, a supplier based in Union Grove, Wis., purchased Champion Roller Inc., Rock Hill, S.C., on Oct. 10. Terms of the transaction weren't disclosed. American Roller now has eight U.S. manufacturing facilities that manufacture a range of synthetic rubber, polyurethane, ceramic and metal matrix coatings, nylon, heated rollers, and composite cores and shafts.
"The purchase of Champion is an opportunity for us to expand our product and service offerings to the customers of both companies, and it provides American Roller with an east coast manufacturing presence," said Chuck Tasch, American Roller's CEO.
EFI Plans Acquisition of Printcafe
Electronics For Imaging (EFI), a leader in imaging solutions for network printing based in Foster City, Calif., plans to acquire Pittsburgh-based software provider Printcafe Software Inc. Printcafe's software has been installed by more than 4,000 customers, including more than 50 businesses in the Fortune 1000. If the merger is completed, each share of Printcafe common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.1048 of a share of EFI common stock, plus cash in lieu of fractional interests.
MeadWestvaco to Buy Day Runner
MeadWestvaco Corp., a supplier based in Stamford, Conn., agreed to acquire Fullerton, Calif.-based stationery products retailer Day Runner Inc., to complement its own consumer and office products business. Financial terms weren't disclosed. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. Day Runner was founded in 1980 under the name Harper House.
Boise Expects Higher Q3 Earnings
Boise, a supplier based in Boise, Idaho, forecasted higher-than-expected third-quarter earnings, citing results at its building products segment and sales growth in its office product unit. The company said it expects third-quarter earnings of 40 cents to 44 cents a share. The consensus estimate of analysts polled by Reuters Research, a unit of Reuters Group Plc, is 24 cents a share. Boise Paper Solutions, the firm's paper business, is expected to post third-quarter results similar to the second quarter, as market conditions continued to be sluggish.
