The Service Select program, recently announced by KBA, is a line of products and services that will be made available to owners of any KBA press. The company will customize the programs to meet the needs and budget of every customer. The system is designed to maximize ROI and minimize down time.

Tim McKeon, vice president of sheetfed service, KBA North America, says “Our new KBA Service Select program brings the expertise, knowledge and training of our highly skilled technicians to our customer’s site where we can work one-on-one with their employees and their KBA press.”

Some of the solutions available include: statistical analysis, evaluation programs, training and education, machine audits, quick-check analysis of press components, remote maintenance and relocation programs. KBA is also offering several upgrades as well including: Densitronic S, a complete density and spectral colour control system; CIP Link, automatic transfer of prepress data for presetting the press; Logotronic Professional, a press and plant MIS system, as well as systems for improving wash-up, plate mounting and computerized maintenance. McKeon explains that this program is “another way that KBA is setting itself apart from the competition.”

WorldSkills International is a bi-annual skills competition in which hundreds of young people from 51 countries/regions compete and test themselves in the skills of their various trades. The organization says that this event has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in vocational training. This year’s 40th WorldSkills competition will be held in Calgary at the Stampede Park from September 1-7, 2009. Heidelberg has recently been named platinum sponsor and official supplier for the offset printing skill category for the third show in a row. Last year’s show was held in Japan and the year before that in Finland.

This year, Heidelberg will contribute two Speedmaster SM 52 multicolour printing presses, as well as a Polar 78X paper cutter to the competition. Fourteen skilled young people will compete in the offset printing category from countries such as Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland. “Heidelberg’s sponsorship contribution and participation in the competition is an enormous benefit for WorldSkills Calgary 2009,” says Richard Walker, president and CEO, WorldSkills Calgary 2009. “The use of their technologies will enable competitors to demonstrate their skill to the greatest potential and achieve excellence.”

Brian Ellis, director of marketing, Heidelberg Canada, also says that Heidelberg is very proud to support WorldSkills Calgary 2009 and that “this prestigious competition provides the opportunity to increase awareness of the exciting and rewarding career opportunities in the graphic arts industry, especially pertaining to offset printing.” The event will help promote the printing industry to the thousands of young people who will attend this year.

Select copies of the September 18 issue of Entertainment Weekly magazine will feature a revolutionary technology: video-in-print. CBS is inserting thousands of small video screens into the magazine, measuring only 2.7mm thick. This innovative technology was designed by Los Angeles-based Americhip, and features 40 minutes of audio and video on a 2 ¼ inch screen at 320 x 240 resolution. It is powered by a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can last up to 70 minutes.

The screen, which will be hand-inserted by QuadGraphics printing plant, is enforced by protective polycarbonate and uses thin film transfer LCD display technology. Readers will be able to interact with the video player and choose from 5 channels of CBS content including an ad for Pepsi Max. The videos will preview this fall’s lineup of Monday night comedies and drama.

This technology comes shortly after a similar revolutionary display on the cover of the October 2008 issue of Esquire magazine, which featured a flashing and changing digital cover. The video-in-print technology in the upcoming Entertainment Weekly takes that one step further, allowing viewers to interact and watch the previews within the pages of a printed magazine.

“This has never been done before,” said George Schweitzer, president of CBS marketing, “we're thrilled to be unveiling the inaugural use of an interactive video-in-print technology in Entertainment Weekly's popular Fall TV preview issue.”

Vistaprint, a provider of high-impact personalized products and services, has expanded its North American manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ontario. Since it opened in 2005, the plant has undergone several expansions, the latest of which added close to 140,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing and office space to the facility.

Wendy Cebula, president of Vistaprint North America said that “over the past year, both the company’s customer base and product lines have continued to increase and this expansion will enable Vistaprint to meet the projected demand of our North American customer base.” The Windsor plant is responsible for the fulfillment of all of the company’s North American orders.

The expansion not only adds space to the facility, but also includes a variety of green initiatives to reduce its energy consumption. It was completed by Rosati Group who followed industry guidelines for sustainable construction. Eco-friendly aspects of the development include: the use of natural light from the plant’s skylights and coated windows, high efficiency light fixtures, heating and cooling systems based on a central plant design, occupancy sensors in offices, break areas and conference rooms, improved insulation quality and improved humidity control.

Cebula added that “the new construction has enabled the company to implement advancements in green technology to reduce the plant’s carbon footprint while still expanding.” Vistaprint also stated that this expansion reaffirms the company’s commitment to the area and the people of Windsor.

InfoPrint Solutions Company has recently launched the new InfoPrint Pro C900AFP colour cutsheet printer. The company, a joint venture between IBM and RICOH, says that this latest development is ideal for companies looking to introduce TransPromotional communication into what they offer.

TransPromo means combining personalized data and information on transactional documents. These can be anything from personal bank statements to invoices. InfoPrint says that their new equipment fits the needs of transactional printers such as data centres, service bureaus, direct mailers, and is also useful for companies transitioning from monochrome to colour.

The Pro C900AFP can print up to 90 ipm, and is recommended for up to 240,000 impressions per month. It also includes an EFI Fiery server, and can print with resolutions of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi. In addition, it is capable of running heavy stock and has the ability to load toner during production. InfoPrint also says that their technology can be used for long, unattended print runs as well as short runs using their emulation 5000 profile.

For more information please visit: http://www.infoprintsolutionscompany.com/internet/wwsites.nsf/vwWebPublished/print_ipproc900home_us

On August 16, David Marsh passed away suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 60. He was the president and owner of Sydney R. Stone, a distributor of finishing technologies, until he stepped down and entered retirement earlier this year. Marsh began his print industry career with a 5-year apprenticeship after high school, before emigrating from England to Canada in 1975. He then went on to spend more than 40 years in the industry, eventually purchasing Sydney R. Stone. The company was incorporated in 1951 and Marsh bought the business in 1989. He had recently sold Sydney R. Stone to two employees: Michael Steel and Dylan Westgate. They, as well as the rest of the company, are shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of David. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, as well as five children and six grand-children.

Fraser Papers, a specialty paper company, has announced plans to restart their pulp and paper complex in Edmundston, New Brunswick. This announcement follows an agreement with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, providing a more competitive labour cost structure.

The agreement “better positions the mill to be competitive in these difficult market circumstances and into the future,” says Peter Gordon, CEO of Fraser Papers. The company produces specialty packaging and printing papers and also has operations in Quebec, Maine, and New Hampshire.

Fraser Papers has begun ordering raw materials to prepare for their expected re-start during the week of August 30. The company anticipates a return to full operation over the next few weeks.

For more information visit: www.fraserpapers.com

Quebec-based Dynagram, a software solutions provider, has recently presented its new eco-program called LEAVES. Along with it’s Interscript division, the company has committed itself to become more environmentally friendly by recycling, purchasing recycled supplies, reducing waste, and earning one of the industry’s many green certifications.

The Interscript division, specializing in book production, consumes approximately 12 tons of paper per year in the form of rough copies and proofs for customers. It has decided to cut this consumption in half within the first year of the program, which they estimate will save 112 trees annually.

“We are confident that through the LEAVES Eco-program we can provide equal or greater solutions and services to our customers while contributing to the global effort to improve the environment through less waste and improved business practices.” says the company.

China will host the Sino-Label printing exposition – one of the most influential international exhibitions of its kind from March 9-11, 2010. The event will cover a wide variety of technology including label and bar code printing, RFID machinery, anti-counterfeit technology, label security solutions, self-adhesive materials and testing equipment.

With the retail industry in China growing rapidly, there is an increasing demand for label printing products and the number of suppliers is on the rise. The previous Sino-Label expo attracted 200 exhibitors as well as buyers from 81 countries including Germany, USA, India, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and the UK. There are 3 main exhibitions that will be featured at the 2010 show: The South China International Exhibition on the Printing Industry; The China International Exhibition on Brewery, Beverage and Liquid Packaging; and The China International Exhibition on Packaging Machinery & Materials.

For more information visit: www.sinolabelexpo.com

PRISCO has announced several products that they will be showing at PRINT 09 which are designed to promote recycling and reusing as part of their “Go Green with PRISCO” initiative. Their latest technologies focus on new options for fountain solutions and solvents that are more environmentally friendly than traditional methods.

The company’s FloClear technology re-circulates and filters fountain solution, which they say will prolong the life of the solution for several months, maintaining its clarity and efficiency. This system can be added on to any new press or retrofitted for older models.

The WaterMizer system re-circulates filtered plate processor water. It can reduce waste water in CTP plate production by up to 90%, says the company. Re-using the wash water reduces the amount of fresh water needed by the equipment – a more eco-friendly alternative.

SolveKlene, another development from PRISCO, is a new technology that recycles solvents and allows them to be purified and then re-used, which reduces VOC emissions and also the costs incurred from hauling waste.

Visitors to the PRINT 09 show can see these new systems at booth #4404.