Agfa Graphics

VERY YEAR, the City of Los Angeles Publishing Services holds an open house to show off its capabilities and meet its customers. This year’s event had a very special twist: it celebrated the in-plant’s 100th year of existence. Established in 1907 with two police officers working part time, the city’s in-plant has flourished over the past century to become a 47-employee operation incorporating some of the latest digital technologies. Only a handful of in-plants can boast 100 years of operation, and Publishing Services made the most of this accomplishment at its recent open house. The event celebrated the rich history of the shop

AS ALTERNATIVE media threaten print volumes, in-plants must take another look at their business models and adapt to the changing business climate. Revenue growth will depend on cost reduction through new workflow efficiencies, as well as new revenue sources from value-added services. Although hardware improvements will certainly play a role in advancing these objectives, the software driving these devices—along with other workflow solutions—will allow printers to differentiate themselves. Research indicates a growing divide between service providers that are growing their businesses and those that see their businesses in decline. Those who “get it” understand that continued growth depends on a three-pronged approach:

Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) announced the recipients of the 2007 InterTech Technology Awards. A recurring theme with 2007 InterTech nominations was green printing, and numerous submissions contained solutions to minimize the environmental impact of printing. Great strides in technology were also demonstrated in the form of innovative press design, touchless workflow systems to automate production steps, anti-fraud measures, and new materials and systems that increase productivity. The InterTech Technology Award recipients this year were: • :Energy Elite Dual Layer “No Bake” Plate. AGFA Graphics N.V. • Kodak Traceless System. Eastman Kodak • EIS UV Printing Blanket Refurbishment. Enviro Image

Attendees of the recent IPMA conference got a chance to visit University of Oklahoma Printing Services. Administrator John Sarantakos narrates a tour of his award-winning operation.

SEWICKLEY, PA—July 18, 2007—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2007 InterTech™ Technology Awards. For over a quarter of a century, recipients of this prestigious award have not only had a major impact on the graphic communications industry, but they also consistently prove to be successful in the commercial marketplace. The independent panel of judges deliberated over technology submissions ranging from printing presses to software solutions to ancillary services. A recurring theme with 2007 InterTech nominations was green printing, and numerous submissions contained solutions to minimize the environmental impact of printing. Great strides in technology were

WHEN PHILLIPS Petroleum merged with Conoco Inc. in 2002, the resulting international energy company, Conoco-Phillips, had more that just its petrochemical assets to consider. Both Phillips and Conoco had operated first-class in-plants, and the Fortune 500 firm had to decide what to do with them. 

When University of Alaska-Fairbanks Printing Services added its new Agfa :Acento II E thermal computer-to-plate device in the fall, it arranged to keep its Agfa SelectSet 7000 imagesetter around for three months, just in case the transition from film to CTP didn’t go well. “We never turned it on again once we had that platesetter installed,” reports Warren Fraser, manager of Printing Services. Nor has the in-plant looked back fondly even once on the film world it left behind. For one thing, the new platesetter has reduced dot gain and improved quality: “It’s rare that a plate gets rejected,” Fraser testifies. “It’s been really good.” For

Xitron, Inc., an independent developer and integrator of Raster Image Processors, RIP management software and workflow solutions, has been acquired by Vanguard Graphics International (VGI). Xitron was previously a part of the Agfa Graphics group of Agfa-Gevaert NV. It was acquired by Agfa as part of the company’s Autologic acquisition at the end of 2001. Vanguard Graphics is a privately held holding company specializing in acquiring and managing graphic arts companies that serve small to medium sized printers. VGI also owns Printware, LLC, a provider of computer-to-plate systems, and HighWater Designs, a company known for its line of RIPs and metal platesetters.

Agfa-Gevaert plans to split into three independent companies by the end of the year: Agfa Graphics, Agfa HealthCare and Agfa Materials. The Board feels the businesses have the size, strength, industry leadership and organizational talent to succeed independently. The separate companies will be better positioned to pursue their own distinct strategic objectives and will have direct access to the capital markets. Upon completion of the demerger, shareholders of Agfa-Gevaert will, instead of holding one Agfa-Gevaert share, hold shares in three separately listed companies. Agfa Graphics, Agfa HealthCare and Agfa Materials will be headquartered in Mortsel, Belgium and all will retain the right to use the

WHO SAYS nothing good is free? A number of industry suppliers offer excellent educational materials for printers at no cost. IPG asked around and collected a list of these complimentary publications, along with information on how you can order them. Among the leaders in producing free educational materials has been EFI. Its “ABC’s” series of books are a treasure for knowledge-starved in-plant managers. Among its titles: • “ABC’s of Proofing” • “ABC’s of Print MIS” • “ABC’s of VDP” • “ABC’s of Workflow” The latest, “ABC’s of Design for Digital Printing Guide,” is a 46-page, full-color book, which, like all EFI titles, is available for free download at