Industry News

Block Graphics, Portland, Ore., announced the promotion of Carl Weaver to the position of vice president of operations. Weaver has been with Block Graphics’ envelope and forms manufacturing divisions for more than 16 years, 14 of those years in management positions. “Carl brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position that will be invaluable as we prepare for the future,” said Rod Wyatt, president. The promotion follows the company’s announcement that it will relocate its Paso Robles, Calif., facility to Reno, Nev., by the end of 2006. Therefore, in his new role, Weaver will oversee operations in all six of Block’s

In response to increased demand for jumbo-sized rolls, fueled by on-demand and high-volume printing, Paris Business Products, Burlington, N.J., invested in additional machinery, including a turret-re-winder. The machinery has been incorporated into Paris’ Westampton, N.J. manufacturing plant and is currently being used for production. Paris anticipates strong growth of popular 50" diameter rolls with a wide variety of forms sizes and optional perforations and punches. The additional capacity also allows Paris to offer Express Rolls, popular sized blank rolls for rapid delivery. Another significant benefit that Paris offers is the ability to custom print rolls. With up to four colors, Paris will custom print

Proforma, Cleveland, announced the addition of four new owners to its network: • Gary Alshouse and Chris Tywon, owners of Proforma Solution Ventures, Avon Lake, Ohio. • Steve Begbie, owner of Proforma Edge Solutions, Etobicoke, Ontario. • Pamela Russell, owner of Proforma Specialty Marketing, Carrollton, Texas. Proforma also congratulated the following owners on their recent acquisitions: • Nancy Lind, owner of Proforma Industries, Cherry Hill, N.J., who acquired Globe Printing and Copy Center. • Dennis Funk, owner of Proforma Funk Enterprises, Columbia Station, Ohio, who acquired Expert T’s. Proforma is a leading provider of promotional products, printing, business documents and e-solutions. For more

Headquartered in Ellisville, Mo., PSI Printing Services introduced EinsteinRewards 3750 in response to reports from convenience marts and gas stations stating that 70 percent of the customers pay for fuel purchases at the pump and never walk inside, causing store owners to lose a captive audience. The challenge was to provide a solution with very little foot print that offered the ability to issue and redeem gift and loyalty cards, print a receipt and maintain databases in an instant. PSI’s EinsteinRewards 3750 is a complete, total solution that runs from a VeriFone Omni 3750 credit card terminal and offers all the benefits of a

Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Wright Business Graphics (WBG) appointed Daniel C. Adkison, president and chief operating officer. Adkison, a 23-year veteran of the printing/graphic arts industry, has an extensive background in sales, sales management and general management. Prior to joining WBG, he served as vice president of sales, western region, for Norfolk, Virginia-based WorkflowOne. Adkison has a strong track record of envisioning and executing strategies for improving sales, customer retention and bottom-line profitability. For more information, call (800) 547-8397.

Headquartered in Fenton, Mo., FormStore has signed agreements to add Four51 Internet-based technology as an expansion and enhancement of FormStore's Web-to-print platform. “FormStore Incorporated has invested significant resources in recent months on digital printing equipment and technology,” stated Paul Edwards, president. “Four51 has innovative Web-to-print network capability and a strong distributor following that integrates strongly with FormStore’s long-range strategic objectives.” Installation of the Four51 techology is scheduled for May and will allow FormStore and its Four51-enabled distributors to enjoy efficiencies and cost reductions by leveraging Four51 for day-to-day communications and transaction processing, while accessing the company's powerful digital print solution center. FormStore manufactures laser printable membership ID

Peachtree City, Georgia-based Printegra upgraded its digital color and black-and-white capabilities by adding a six-color HP Indigo 5000 press to its Smyrna, Ga., facility, as well as Kodak E125 Digimaster presses in its Smyrna and Montgomeryville, Pa., locations. The HP Indigo 5000 press offers high-quality printing and variable imaging. It uses liquid ink technology for superior quality, while the color matching capabilities can match PMS colors and equal the quality and color range of commercial offset printing. With 812x812 dpi resolution and up to 230 lines per inch, the press provides vibrant color and sharp text. The Digimaster E125 System can produce high-quality, short-run black-and-white,

AFE Industries, Santa Fe Springs, Calif., announced the installation of a new 10-color Aquaflex DBX Press in its US1 facility in Santa Fe Springs. The 10" wide web press is equipped with 10 flexo print stations, a UV silk-screen print unit, a variable imaging ink-jet print station, a hot-stamping unit, front/back laminating units, front/back UV-curing units and three rotary die-cutting units. This press adds to the facility’s extensive capacity for plastic and paper phone cards, while expanding the process-color tag and label printing capabilities, including the ability to print four colors on the front and back. In addition, the press has the flexibility

Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Block Graphics will be relocating its Paso Robles, Calif., facility to the Reno, Nev., area by the end of 2006. Employees in the Paso Robles plant willing to relocate are being offered positions in the new facility, or severance packages are available. The move affects 15 employees, and enables the company to expand its one-day shipping service area while maintaining the level of quality, service and reliability customers expect. The relocation will not affect Block Graphics’s facility in Sun City, Calif., and is seen as strengthening its presence in the region. Founded in 1980, Block Graphics is a 100

Headquartered in Gent, Belgium, Esko—a leader in packaging pre-production solutions—introduced Scope 3, a new release of the company’s integrated software suite. Scope is the core of Esko’s solution to turn the entire packaging supply chain, from brand owner to retailer, into a straightforward collaborative process. Scope enables its users to deliver consistent quality while reducing time-to-market and eliminating costs. The Scope 3 version comes with a long list of innovations and user-driven features added to its key applications. New capabilities include: • Adobe PDF 1.6 and JDF 1.3-based workflow • CAD-Graphics integration with Adobe Illustrator CS2.0 • Enhanced Web-based collaboration and approval tools