Upfront

Vertis Closing OH Facility

MEDINA, OH—Vertis Communications announced plans to close its plant here on May 1. The Medina facility was one of three not included in Vertis' acquisition by Quad/Graphics. The move will leave 52 employees without jobs. Four years ago, the plant was spared from imminent closure in an eleventh hour decision.

EPS-Doublet Buys Think BIG

DENVER—EPS-Doublet has acquired Think BIG Solutions, a digital printing and marketing services production company based here. The combination of EPS-Doublet's and Think BIG Solutions' complementary portfolios of retail, brand, event and cross-media production services will enable the unified teams to provide customers with a broad and comprehensive lineup of marketing solutions.

Royal, Modern Merge

QUINCY, IL—Royal Printing has merged with Modern Printing, the owners of the respective companies announced. The combined entity will do business as Royal Printing, the Quincy Journal reported. At press time, Modern Printing was in the process of relocating its operations to the Royal Printing facility, a move that was expected to take several weeks.

Classic Seeks Executive

CHARLOTTE, NC—Classic Graphics has launched a nationwide search for president of its Triangle Division in Research Triangle Park, NC. The position includes oversight for all the division's operations, as well as responsibility for its new business development, and leadership in creating a sales-driven organization and a team atmosphere where sales and production work together to meet customer expectations. Interested parties may apply at contactnapl99@gmail.com. The company requests no phone calls.

John Roberts Founder Passes

MINNEAPOLIS—Robert A. Keene, co-founder and chairman of The John Roberts Co., passed away Feb. 3. He co-founded The John Roberts Co. in 1951 with E. John Chelberg, a thriving business which today employs more than 300 individuals.

Is Valassis/USPS Deal Unfair?

ARLINGTON, VA—The Newspaper Association of America (NAA) has filed an initial brief in its lawsuit against the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding that agency's August 2012 decision to approve a negotiated service agreement between the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and Valassis Direct Mail. USPS granted Valassis Direct Mail discounts of 20 to 34 percent on new mail pieces containing advertising from national retailers of durable and semi-durable goods. Through these discounts, the NAA maintains the USPS has given one company a price incentive to move advertising inserts out of newspapers delivered to consumers' homes.

Impressions Plus Closes

WINCHESTER, VA—Internet technology has taken its toll on Impressions Plus Printing and Copying, which closed in February following 27 years in operation, the Northern Virginia Daily News reported. Owner Todd Thompson cited the trend toward online bill paying, online competition and a general slowing of business as the reasons behind the closure.

Kodak Finalizes Patent Deal

ROCHESTER, NY—Eastman Kodak has completed a transaction for the sale and licensing of its digital imaging patents for net proceeds of $527 million. The transaction, which achieves one of Kodak's key restructuring objectives, follows other recent developments that included final court approval for the company's interim and exit financing.