Consumables-Ink - Inkjet

GRAPH EXPO returned to Chicago last month, bringing printers together from all over the globe. Despite its earlier than usual start the weekend after Labor Day, the four-day graphic arts trade show packed a decent crowd. Granted, opening day attendance thinned noticeably around NFL kickoff time (it was the season opener, after all), but by day two McCormick Place was jammed solid. An impressive 640 exhibitors (including 120+ new ones) spread out across 460,984 net square feet of exhibit space. In-plants interested in wide-format printing or in mailing/fulfillment could go to special sections of the show floor where such equipment was clustered.

CARLSTADT, NJ—Sept. 5, 2007— Pantone, Inc., the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today unveiled the PANTONE Goe(TM) System (pronounced go), the first completely new color inspiration and specification system for the graphic arts industry since the introduction of the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM® 45 years ago. With 2,058 new PANTONE Colors, the PANTONE Goe System is designed to inspire creativity and fulfill the requirements of a fast-changing, technologically advancing industry. PANTONE Goe is more than a single product with exciting new colors. The System includes modern tools and interactive software to improve versatility in an increasingly

PLYMOUTH, MI—August 27, 2007—Flint Group has announced the following price increases on inks in North America, effective October 1, 2007. The increases come as a result of a continuing and unprecedented rise in raw material, transportation and energy costs. • Publication Gravure - 10% • Publication Heatset - 8% • News Ink - 6% • Sheetfed - 5% to 7% depending on product technology and color. • Packaging - up to 12% depending on product technology and color Bill Miller, President, Flint Group North America, commented that the increased global consumption of petroleum and petroleum derivatives, along with limited refinery capacity,

GRAND RAPIDS, MI—08/23/07—X-Rite, Incorporated (Nasdaq:XRIT) a leading provider of color solutions for measuring, formulating, matching, and simulating color, announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Pantone, Inc. for $180 million. The deal is expected to close in the fall of 2007. Pantone, Inc., headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey, is an authority on color inspiration for the design world with the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM, an innovative system for identifying, matching and communicating colors to solve color reproduction problems in the graphic arts market. Pantone has expanded its color matching system to other industries where accurate color reproductions are critical, including

LUXEMBOURG—August 7, 2007—Flint Group, the world’s largest privately-owned supplier to the printing, converting, and colourant industries, has announced that Charles Knott will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer effective from 1 September 2007. He will succeed Dave Frescoln, who will become Deputy Chairman of the company’s Boards. Knott has had a successful career leading and developing global speciality chemical companies within Unilever plc and ICI plc. Key positions that he has held include President and Chief Operating Officer of National Starch & Chemical, based in North America, and Executive Vice President Asia-Pacific, based for six years in Singapore where he developed business in all

Transaction will strengthen position as global supplier of graphic arts consumables LUXEMBOURG—20 April 2007—Flint Group, the world’s largest privately-owned supplier to the printing, converting, and graphic arts industries, has announced an agreement in principle to acquire Day International, a world leader in the supply of printing blankets, sleeves, image transfer media and pressroom chemicals. Day will operate as a business unit within Flint Group, and the combined group will rank among the largest pressroom consumable suppliers in every region it serves. Nearly 8300 employees will serve customers from 170 sales, service and manufacturing locations on five continents. Combined revenues for 2007 are estimated to

Sun Chemical is implementing an eight percent price increase for its commercial and screen inks sold in North America, effective January 1. According to Mark Levin, president of Sun’s Commercial Group, the company cannot continue to absorb increases in raw materials and operating costs. “During these challenging times, we have taken many steps to reduce our operating costs in an effort to offset these increases,” Levin said. “We recognize the impact this has on our customers but must take this action to protect the long-term viability of our business.” Levin said one factor behind increased costs is suppliers of key materials abandoning the printing ink industry

ANN ARBOR, MI—December 14, 2006—Flint Group’s North American Packaging and Sheetfed divisions announced they will increase prices on all packaging and commercial inks. Customers will be notified directly by Flint Group’s sales organization to discuss the impact for the particular products they purchase. Flint Group will honor their contractual obligations in implementing the increases. Price increases are effective February 1, 2007. Doug Labertew and Susan Kuchta, vice presidents and general managers of the Sheetfed and Packaging Divisions, respectively, noted that rising costs of raw materials and energy continue to put enormous pressure on the costs of these inks. Susan Kuchta explained further: “Unfortunately, these increases

NORTHLAKE, IL—December 1, 2006—Faced with continued increases in raw materials and operating costs, the Sun Chemical Commercial Group has announced an 8 percent price increase on its commercial and screen inks sold in North America, effective Jan. 1, 2007. “During these challenging times we have taken many steps to reduce our operating costs in an effort to offset these increases. Sun Chemical cannot continue to absorb these increases, and therefore must pass along a portion of the actual increases taken,” said Mark J. Levin, president of the Commercial Group. “We recognize the impact this has on our customers but must take this action to

PARSIPPANY, NJ—Sept. 27, 2006—Sun Chemical, the world’s foremost manufacturer of inks and organic pigments, will be prominently featured in an upcoming episode of the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” series on the history and usage of ink. The one-hour episode visits two Sun Chemical manufacturing locations and several of its printing customers. The show is scheduled to air on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 10 p.m. EST. “Sun Chemical has been manufacturing ink nearly 200 years, and we are pleased that the History Channel recognized our innovations and contributions to the development of the industry,” said Brad Schrader, chief marketing officer. The History Channel