Printing industry in Poland and Europe

Natalie Larivière, President of TC Media, is stepping down from her position to pursue "new professional challenges", said the company. She will officially be gone from her post by June 29, while she will work with the team periodically over the summer to "ensure the smooth transition of certain projects". François Olivier, President and CEO of Transcontinental, will take over as interim head of TC Media. Natalie Lariviere

While many printed publications are going digital, sometimes the reverse can happen. Issuu, a global digital publishing platform with offices in New York City and Copenhagen, has teamed up with Peecho, a service allowing digital content to be sold as a physical product, to allow publishers to print on demand through a global network of print facilities.

Norm Beange, owner of Toronto's Specialties Graphic Finishers and Anstey Book Binding, a bindery partner of the Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) of Ontario, will be inducted into the Binding Industries Association (BIA) Hall of Fame next month.

As of 2014, a printed publication from the Government of Canada will be a much rarer find. With the intent to reduce costs and go green, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and its Publishing and Depository Services, the official publisher for the Government of Canada, has announced the plan to switch all its traditionally printed publications to be only available in electronic format by 2014.

Offset press manufacturers Komori, Heidelberg, and Manroland sheetfed have signed deals with Landa (of Indigo fame) to license the Landa Nanographic Printing Process. The agreements — which together appear to be the headline news from the current Drupa show this year — signal a look to the future for the traditional press manufacturers, as digital has become part of the mainstream.

The Digital Imaging Association (DIA) is hosting a panel later this month to discuss highlights from Drupa, the world's largest printing industry exhibition currently taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany. The meeting will be at Spicers/PaperlinX at 200 Galcat Dr. (Hwy. 407 and Pine Valley Dr. in Vaughan, north of Toronto) and will include a panel of industry experts "with different perspectives to bring DIA members and guests up to date on their impressions of the trends and technologies introduced at Drupa."

Business in Vancouver offers a look at how at least one BC printer is adapting to market demand. The article stresses a drop in print (in favour of digital), which is nothing that anyone in the industry doesn't know, but that some printers, like MET Fine Printers in Vancouver (which just bought Larsen's Bookbinding) are trying new things to overcome these challenges.

MET Fine Printers has acquired long-time business Larsen's Bookbinding, expanding MET's in-house capabilities. “This move adds an unparalleled depth of expertise to our group,” said MET's chief operating officer Mike Winteringham. “This level of craft will immediately benefit MET Fine Printers and MET Resource’s clients by adding further technical expertise, speeding up project turnaround and enhancing our client’s experience.”

Waterloo Printing Company has installed a CP Bourg sheetfeeder with fully automated booklet maker. Waterloo Printing was born more than 60 years ago and offers pre-press, web to print, finishing and more. On left is Steve Nichols, Bindery Supervisor of Waterloo Printing, joined by Steve Thistle of distributor Robert E Thistle Ltd.

Canada Post suffered its first financial loss in 2011 after 16 straight years of profitability, according to its annual report. The labour disruption last year was blamed as a major factor, while the company reports transaction and publication mail volumes including magazines are sliding and the company is focusing its efforts on its "digital delivery network". 

Michael Mugavero has been named the Manroland sheetfed managing director/chief executive officer for Canada and the U.S. Mugavero initially joined Manroland sheetfed in 1992 and rejoined the company in 2007.  He has served as a regional sales manager, general manager, and vice president of sales. Michael Mugavero

The Government of Canada has announced that its Publishing and Depository Services (PDS) department will cease printing its publications and instead offer them solely in electronic format.     PDS publishes a wide-range of Government of Canada publications, which are distributed to the private sector, and those working in various levels of government as well as the general public. The switch from print to digital will be completed by 2014 said an April 13 announcement. 

An HP Scitex LX800 has been added by National Graphic Solutions in Delta, B.C.   National's specialty is digitally printed, high resolution, full coverage graphics on transportation vehicles. The company opened its doors in 1993. Pictured is Jed Sheppard, President, National Graphic Solutions

To better understand the print industry's labour market, the Canadian Printing Industries Sector Council (CPISC) has released a new survey to be completed by printing and graphic communications companies. 

Baldwin Paper has been bought out after more than 50 years in business, and a new company has risen from the ashes led by former high-ranking staff of the Mississauga-based company. A court decision on April 16 gave the green light for a management buyout of the former company, said Ron Moore, who was previously chief financial officer of Baldwin and will now serve as president of Cutting Edge Paper, the new entity operating out of the same location.