Chesham-based printer Croxson has made 30 members of staff redundant and is "reviewing its options" for the future, a source close to the company has confirmed.
The source said Croxson, which is still trading, "never fully recovered from a bad debt, which has had a knock-on effect" on the company.
The source also claimed the ailing digital and litho firm had lined up three possible buyers, with a decision expected by "the end of the week".
A Croxson employee told printweek.com that 30 of the company's 85 staff were told on Thursday (28 February) that "their jobs were to finish".
Tim Elliot, managing director of Croxson's paper supplier Elliot Baxter, told printweek.com that it "did not see it coming. We're still reeling from it to be honest."
He added that Elliot Baxter is owed "in the region of £30,000" and it is still waiting to see if it can recover any stock.
Two other paper suppliers confirmed they were also owed for stock. One of the suppliers, which asked not to be named, said: "We're still deciding what to do as we weren't expecting it at all."
Croxson managing director Peter Wright would not comment.
Source: printweek
Mar 4, 2008
Printer in Transition: Hatteras Press Looks Ahead
Andrew Studney, the chief operating officer of Hatteras Press Inc., put it best when he said, "A 'Printer in Transition' is a printer who is wise enough to see the changing industry, then is able to adapt to the changes and grow. We are constantly listening to our customers' needs and focus our energy on exceeding our customers' expectations. It is an evolution that never ends."
That is the philosophy Hatteras Press, located in central New Jersey, has employed since it was founded in 1983 by Charles Duerr, who still owns the company and works there today. Rather than being content with the work and clients the firm has, Hatteras press is constantly looking forward to try and predict the next big technological leap—and then the firm tries to be ahead of the curve, instead of behind it. So in a sense, Hatteras Press is a printer in constant transition.
Expanding Core Services
Over the years, the company has grown, adding a variety of services and equipment to its core offset presses. Some of these include digital presses, a full-service mail center, lettershop capabilities, fulfillment services, online fulfillment and Web-to-print capabilities, bindery equipment, and, not to forget its roots, the latest sheetfed offset presses. In fact the company had grown and expanded so much, management consolidated two buildings into one state-of-the-art facility in 2006 to simply things.
"Digital technology has come on stronger in recent years," said Studney. "We support the revolution in the industry, and will continue to offer the unique and valuable services it can provide. We feel digital printing enhances many aspects of the conventional printing process. Many times we are combining our conventional and digital technologies to create a unique solution."
As part of the digital revolution, Studney noted, turnaround times have gotten considerably shorter. This isn't a problem unique to the print industry—with access to the Internet, smart phones, text messaging, e-mail, and other forms of technology, the world has gotten used to instant gratification. For print, this means finding ways to do the same jobs faster, with fewer errors, and for less cost.
Informed customers are more likely to make decisions based on factors other than strictly price.
Hatteras Press solved this problem by bringing it all in-house. For the firm, having complete control of the process from concept through finishing and fulfillment, allows it to ensure the company cannot only meet those new demands, but can do it while providing the same level of customer service it has offered in the past.
"The ability to provided a variety of services is important as turnaround time gets shorter and shorter. What used to allow for nine days, now is expected in six, or sometimes even three days, so the ability to manufacture a complete product, all in house is critical," Studney noted.
A Sensible Approach
And the company won't stop there, Studney says. Hatteras Press listens to its clients and looks to fill gaps and increase capabilities where it makes the most sense. "We are considering many areas for investment, including: digital inkjet technologies, wide-format offset, additional Web-to-print offerings, and fulfillment enhancements, as well as communication upgrades for faster responses to customers."
Hatteras Press currently employs eight full-time staff in its data processing department; the company is looking to increase resources there in the next six to 12 months, as well as expand its offerings.
In addition, the company is investing in communications improvements such as phone database reporting, email services, remote connections for after-hours access, remote connections for traveling personnel, and other improvements.
Just having advanced capabilities and services, however, isn't enough. Hatteras Press realized this early on and set about ensuring customers were educated about the company's technologies and capabilities. The company distributes a variety of marketing materials that have won awards, which are sent to both current and prospective clients. And the firm also offers a variety of educational seminars on hot topics in the graphic communications market—informed customers are more likely to make decisions based on factors other than strictly price.
Studney summed up his company's motivation for being a printer in transition in another to-the-point statement: "Those who resist change will fall behind; it's inevitable."
Source: printingnews
That is the philosophy Hatteras Press, located in central New Jersey, has employed since it was founded in 1983 by Charles Duerr, who still owns the company and works there today. Rather than being content with the work and clients the firm has, Hatteras press is constantly looking forward to try and predict the next big technological leap—and then the firm tries to be ahead of the curve, instead of behind it. So in a sense, Hatteras Press is a printer in constant transition.
Expanding Core Services
Over the years, the company has grown, adding a variety of services and equipment to its core offset presses. Some of these include digital presses, a full-service mail center, lettershop capabilities, fulfillment services, online fulfillment and Web-to-print capabilities, bindery equipment, and, not to forget its roots, the latest sheetfed offset presses. In fact the company had grown and expanded so much, management consolidated two buildings into one state-of-the-art facility in 2006 to simply things.
"Digital technology has come on stronger in recent years," said Studney. "We support the revolution in the industry, and will continue to offer the unique and valuable services it can provide. We feel digital printing enhances many aspects of the conventional printing process. Many times we are combining our conventional and digital technologies to create a unique solution."
As part of the digital revolution, Studney noted, turnaround times have gotten considerably shorter. This isn't a problem unique to the print industry—with access to the Internet, smart phones, text messaging, e-mail, and other forms of technology, the world has gotten used to instant gratification. For print, this means finding ways to do the same jobs faster, with fewer errors, and for less cost.
Informed customers are more likely to make decisions based on factors other than strictly price.
Hatteras Press solved this problem by bringing it all in-house. For the firm, having complete control of the process from concept through finishing and fulfillment, allows it to ensure the company cannot only meet those new demands, but can do it while providing the same level of customer service it has offered in the past.
"The ability to provided a variety of services is important as turnaround time gets shorter and shorter. What used to allow for nine days, now is expected in six, or sometimes even three days, so the ability to manufacture a complete product, all in house is critical," Studney noted.
A Sensible Approach
And the company won't stop there, Studney says. Hatteras Press listens to its clients and looks to fill gaps and increase capabilities where it makes the most sense. "We are considering many areas for investment, including: digital inkjet technologies, wide-format offset, additional Web-to-print offerings, and fulfillment enhancements, as well as communication upgrades for faster responses to customers."
Hatteras Press currently employs eight full-time staff in its data processing department; the company is looking to increase resources there in the next six to 12 months, as well as expand its offerings.
In addition, the company is investing in communications improvements such as phone database reporting, email services, remote connections for after-hours access, remote connections for traveling personnel, and other improvements.
Just having advanced capabilities and services, however, isn't enough. Hatteras Press realized this early on and set about ensuring customers were educated about the company's technologies and capabilities. The company distributes a variety of marketing materials that have won awards, which are sent to both current and prospective clients. And the firm also offers a variety of educational seminars on hot topics in the graphic communications market—informed customers are more likely to make decisions based on factors other than strictly price.
Studney summed up his company's motivation for being a printer in transition in another to-the-point statement: "Those who resist change will fall behind; it's inevitable."
Source: printingnews
Mar 2, 2008
Sampling Innovations unveils Stick Pak gift range
Sampling Innovations, the promotional packaging firm, has created the Stick Pak Collection, suitable for gift purchases to introduce customers to a product range.
The collection is targeted at brand owners within the beauty industry and contains a selection of six 10ml Stick Paks packaged in a clear carton, which can be modified in shape and size to suit the brand.
Alternative secondary packaging options include a clear cylindrical tube, folded wallet or a box with a window to view the Stick Paks.
The Haywards Heath firm said the pack could introduce customers to a brand and ultimately increase sales of parent products.
Sampling Innovations sales director Mark Lockyer said the firm had a history of bringing new promotional sampling ideas to the beauty industry.
He said: "Taking this one step further we are now looking at individual brands and providing suggestions on retail line extensions that have stand-out on-shelf appeal and will capture the imagination of the consumer."
The collection is targeted at brand owners within the beauty industry and contains a selection of six 10ml Stick Paks packaged in a clear carton, which can be modified in shape and size to suit the brand.
Alternative secondary packaging options include a clear cylindrical tube, folded wallet or a box with a window to view the Stick Paks.
The Haywards Heath firm said the pack could introduce customers to a brand and ultimately increase sales of parent products.
Sampling Innovations sales director Mark Lockyer said the firm had a history of bringing new promotional sampling ideas to the beauty industry.
He said: "Taking this one step further we are now looking at individual brands and providing suggestions on retail line extensions that have stand-out on-shelf appeal and will capture the imagination of the consumer."
Source: packagingnews
UK printers could lose out as ex-Emap arm kicks off review
Bauer Consumer Media (BCM) is on the verge of launching a major print tender that could result in the production of its long-run monthly magazines moving to Germany.
The former Emap division confirmed this week that it will go out to tender in March for most of its consumer titles and that it will be looking at “all the options”.
BCM group production director Debbie Read said: “Most of our existing contracts expire in March 2009 and, as the process takes six months at least, we expect to go out to tender in March 2008.
“I will be investigating printing opportunities within the group, where appropriate, to coincide with the tender process.”
Speculation is rife that BCM, whose new parent company H Bauer has its own gravure sites in Germany, could take production of some titles in-house as part of a cost-saving exercise.
This could include long-run monthlies such as FHM, Empire, Q and Mojo, three of which are printed by Pindar’s Tewkesbury site, previously Cooper Clegg.
An industry expert said: “The long-run weeklies would only move to Germany if there was a change in the schedule and in the current market conditions, that would be unlikely.
“However, there is an opportunity there for the bigger-run monthlies, where there are no scheduling issues, and that has to be considered by Bauer as a way of saving money.”
Read declined to comment on which titles could be suitable for printing overseas, however she admitted that she would be looking at all available options and that scheduling would be a consideration.
BCM’s current print providers include Polestar, Pindar, Prinovis, Southernprint and Wyndeham, none of whom could be reached for comment. BGP, whose 72pp supersite is due for completion this year, could also be in the running.
The only title understood to be exempt from the upcoming print tender is the celebrity weekly Heat, which was moved from Quebecor World to Polestar Varnicoat last year , following a decision to switch the magazine to gravure.
Source: printweek
The former Emap division confirmed this week that it will go out to tender in March for most of its consumer titles and that it will be looking at “all the options”.
BCM group production director Debbie Read said: “Most of our existing contracts expire in March 2009 and, as the process takes six months at least, we expect to go out to tender in March 2008.
“I will be investigating printing opportunities within the group, where appropriate, to coincide with the tender process.”
Speculation is rife that BCM, whose new parent company H Bauer has its own gravure sites in Germany, could take production of some titles in-house as part of a cost-saving exercise.
This could include long-run monthlies such as FHM, Empire, Q and Mojo, three of which are printed by Pindar’s Tewkesbury site, previously Cooper Clegg.
An industry expert said: “The long-run weeklies would only move to Germany if there was a change in the schedule and in the current market conditions, that would be unlikely.
“However, there is an opportunity there for the bigger-run monthlies, where there are no scheduling issues, and that has to be considered by Bauer as a way of saving money.”
Read declined to comment on which titles could be suitable for printing overseas, however she admitted that she would be looking at all available options and that scheduling would be a consideration.
BCM’s current print providers include Polestar, Pindar, Prinovis, Southernprint and Wyndeham, none of whom could be reached for comment. BGP, whose 72pp supersite is due for completion this year, could also be in the running.
The only title understood to be exempt from the upcoming print tender is the celebrity weekly Heat, which was moved from Quebecor World to Polestar Varnicoat last year , following a decision to switch the magazine to gravure.
Source: printweek
Pafa calls on Wrap to return to original carrier bag definition
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap) has been urged to revert to its original definition of carrier bags, after its reduction programme recorded a 14% drop in the amount of virgin plastic used in the past year.
Packaging and Films Association (Pafa) chief executive David Tyson said the reduction was a "very creditable achievement" but there should not be a material-specific focus.
"At the time [the scheme was launched] the government said this was not a 'plastic' initiative. It should be measuring the weight of all bags, whatever the material, that are deemed to be single-trip bags," he said.
Wrap announced the reduction in the environmental impact of carrier bags, as measured by the amount of virgin plastic used, after a meeting with retailers and the government on 28 February.
It said the results put the scheme "broadly on track" to achieve a 25% reduction by the end of the year, but was "disappointed" by progress in cutting carrier bag use.
Carrier bag use in the same period fell by 7.5% from 13.4 billion to 12.4 billion, meaning there was "clearly no room for complacency", Wrap said.
There were differing successes among retailers in the use of virgin plastic in carrier bags, which ranged from a 70% fall to a 22% increase.
Richard Swanell, Wrap's director of retail and organic programmes, said there was now "clear momentum" from retailers, although "clearly more work needs to be done".
In February 2007, 21 retailers and the UK governments set a reduction target for the environmental impact of carrier bags of 25% by the end of 2008.
The retailers included the four largest multiples as well as John Lewis, the Co-op and Marks & Spencer.
M&S is to start charging 5p for single-use plastic carrier bags at all of its UK food outlets from 6 May. The Prime Minister has also become involved again in the plastic bag debate. Writing in the Daily Mail today (29 February), Gordon Brown said the government would "take the necessary steps" if retailers did not do more to reduce plastic bag use.
Source: packagingnews
Packaging and Films Association (Pafa) chief executive David Tyson said the reduction was a "very creditable achievement" but there should not be a material-specific focus.
"At the time [the scheme was launched] the government said this was not a 'plastic' initiative. It should be measuring the weight of all bags, whatever the material, that are deemed to be single-trip bags," he said.
Wrap announced the reduction in the environmental impact of carrier bags, as measured by the amount of virgin plastic used, after a meeting with retailers and the government on 28 February.
It said the results put the scheme "broadly on track" to achieve a 25% reduction by the end of the year, but was "disappointed" by progress in cutting carrier bag use.
Carrier bag use in the same period fell by 7.5% from 13.4 billion to 12.4 billion, meaning there was "clearly no room for complacency", Wrap said.
There were differing successes among retailers in the use of virgin plastic in carrier bags, which ranged from a 70% fall to a 22% increase.
Richard Swanell, Wrap's director of retail and organic programmes, said there was now "clear momentum" from retailers, although "clearly more work needs to be done".
In February 2007, 21 retailers and the UK governments set a reduction target for the environmental impact of carrier bags of 25% by the end of 2008.
The retailers included the four largest multiples as well as John Lewis, the Co-op and Marks & Spencer.
M&S is to start charging 5p for single-use plastic carrier bags at all of its UK food outlets from 6 May. The Prime Minister has also become involved again in the plastic bag debate. Writing in the Daily Mail today (29 February), Gordon Brown said the government would "take the necessary steps" if retailers did not do more to reduce plastic bag use.
Source: packagingnews
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