Townsend, Mass.

The DFS Group, Townsend, Mass., is now offering $50 of free design on full-color product orders. The Full Color Solutions Design service helps dealers accommodate short-run full-color printing—one of the fastest growing product lines in the printing industry. Through this program, dealers can offer everything from business cards to multi-page booklets. Electronic files can be sent through an FTP site and orders have an average four-day turnaround time. For more information, call (888) 598-1234.

The DFS Group, Townsend, Mass., is offering a new Checks Digest catalog for 2004. Features of this catalog include pre-printed 30 percent margin pricing that simplifies the check-selling process. Inside the glossy catalog, customers will find new computer check colors, designs and check security features, which are guaranteed to be compatible with the latest software. The 18-page catalog's compact 5x8" size makes it easy to distribute to customers. Its front cover is also ready to be imprinted with local distributor information. For dealers who place their orders of 50 or more by January 31st, The DFS Group is offering 25 percent off the catalog price.

The 2003 Holiday Greetings program from The DFS Group, Townsend, Mass., is in full swing. Through this program, dealers can earn margins over 60 percent and, if they place orders before December 7, 2003, they will receive an additional 25 percent discount. Buyers can choose from over 170 holiday items, including greeting cards, calendars, seals and chocolates. Most cards are available with an option of red, green, blue or black imprinting, and foil imprinting is provided at not charge. For more information on this program, contact The DFS Group at (800) 225-9528.

Insiders offer their perspectives on this industry trend By Stacey Wenzel Mergers and acquisitions played a major role in shaping the industry last year. Not surprisingly, the first few months of 1998 have shown no signs of the acquisition explosion slowing down. "It's the wave of the future," said George Allman, vice president of diversified operations for DFS Business Forms, Townsend, Mass. Allman should know from his recent acquisition experience. On Dec. 23, DFS announced the purchase of Bridgeton, N.J.-based manufacturer Newshire. "This is part of the demand and drive for companies to become more efficient," he said. In addition, Allman noted another motivation behind many acquisitions is that