Heidelberg

For the first time in its 49-year history, the Association of College and University Printers (ACUP) ventured into Minnesota last month, bringing 80 higher-ed in-plant managers together for four days of networking and education.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has recorded higher sales in financial year 2012/2013 than in the previous year thanks to the expected strong fourth quarter. In line with the company's own forecasts, the operating result excluding special items improved significantly.

Spring is in full bloom, but astute in-plant managers may have noticed one thing missing from the graphic arts garden this year. For the first time since it took root nearly two decades ago, the On Demand show is nowhere to be seen.

Sometimes you have to search high and low to find what you want. For Doug Bekkering, press and quantity team leader at RBC Ministries, and Doug Eizenga, maintenance engineer at the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Christian publisher, their search for a press led them to Madrid, Spain.

Besides declining print volumes, shrinking budgets and the many other demands facing today's in-plants, University of Minnesota Printing Services faces a special challenge: the in-plant operates in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the largest metropolitan area in a state where printing is manufacturing's second-largest sector.

After sprouting in 1994 and quickly blossoming into the industry's main spring event, On Demand has faded quietly from sight. Questex, owner and producer of the event, had planned a more modest two-day conference this year, focusing on the life cycle of content, but it never came to fruition.

Heidelberg's passion and commitment to graphic arts education can be seen through its donations of facilities, equipment, money and expertise. On March 22, for example, Heidelberg USA hosted the annual Georgia SkillsUSA competition in Advertising Design and Graphic Communications at its North American Print and Packaging Technology Center (NAPPTC) in Kennesaw, GA.

To bring more work in-house Execuprint in Chatsworth, CA has added a Linoprint C901 digital press from Heidelberg. The move saves the company time and money, and gives Execuprint a significant competitive edge through Heidelberg’s color management system.

Vanderbilt University Printing Services continues to thrive by combining a well-established, bustling offset operation with burgeoning business opportunities and digital solutions to meet and exceed customer demand.

Meeks Litho, based in Tulsa, OK, recently embarked on its 51st year in business. The company has flourished tremendously over the years growing to become one of the three biggest printing concerns in Tulsa. Meeks boasts 45 employees and a 65,000-square-foot facility, not to mention a fascinating combination of printing formats and capabilities that truly highlights the beauty, bold range and fun aspects of printing.