Printing Industries of America and manroland announced they will be collaborating on research initiatives and training activities, which will include stochastic printing on webs, benchmarking of materials, minimizing piling and optimizing techniques for consumables.

KBA North America, a global press manufacturer based in Dallas, Texas, has named former web offset sales manager for the Spanish and South American markets, Ulrich Wicke, as the vice-president of sales and service for the web offset division in North America on July 1, 2009. Heinz Schmid, former vice-president of web offset sales for KBA’s newspaper and commercial web market will remain with the company in an advisory position to the team.

Thomson-Shore, Inc., a book manufacturer located in Dexter, MI, has improved its capacity by 10% and reduced the number of shifts running 4-colour process work since the installation of the Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 102 6-colour perfector.

EFI, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, has been chosen by UNIMAC Graphics, a complete pre-media, print and digital solutions company, for its EFI MIS solutions to streamline workflow and improve productivity. UNIMAC has now replaced their previous MIS system with Monarch Foundation (formally Hagen™ OA) to successfully implement order processing, RFID inventory management and accounts receivable in just six weeks.

INX International Ink Co., the third largest producer of inks in North America,  has been honoured with the Rexam BCE Award for excellence in innovation for its work on the new ink system for the Fusion bottle can project, which Rexam is in the process of rolling out this year.

Océ, an international leader in digital document management, has appointed John Reilly as president, Document Printing Systems division of Océ North America.

JDF Interoperability Matrix (the “Matrix”) has topped over 500 pairings according to the International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4). The Matrix, a popular tool for printers, shows what integrations are available via JDF between vendors of graphic arts systems.

Sappi Fine Paper North America, a leading North American producer of coated fine paper used in premium magazines, catalogues, books and high-end print advertising, has announced the judges for the annual Ideas that Matter. The grant program supports and transforms the creative ideas of designers into social good.