Kevin Abergel, founder and CEO of Taktiful Software Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch stating, “Our journey began with a deep understanding of the pain points within the print embellishment industry. With Taktiful Software Solutions, we are not just offering tools; we provide an integrated platform designed to empower our users with the capability to excel and drive market adoption for digital print embellishments.”

Co-founder Carlo Ruas commented on the launch, “We’re not just creating software; we’re crafting a new narrative for the print embellishment sector. Our tools are built to empower; our technology primed to innovate. With Taktiful Software Solutions, we envision a world where the beauty of print and the precision of technology coalesce to create unprecedented value for our clients.”

The company is working to release their SaaS products by Drupa 2024:

Taktify: A cloud-based AI-powered estimating and pricing software platform that provides the exact costs of production as well as the estimated market value for embellished print based on variables including job complexity, applications, zip codes, and industry verticals.
Reaktor: A cloud-based art file visualizer that lets you proof and experiment with different embellishment effects in a virtual 3D environment.
Kreator: A cloud-based generative AI tool that allows users to quickly and efficiently design embellishment masks for their print files using Taktiful’s proprietary training data.

“By eliminating a lot of our administration, and ganging up jobs from across the country, we are saving our customers a lot of money.” says Michael Heggie, president of parent company, Grovetree Press. “Times are tough for a lot of us and GrovetreeGo allows small printers to offer a profitable add-on without the overhead or monthly payments that machinery brings.”

GrovetreeGo also sells lamination equipment and film.

“We are excited to invest back in the industry and its future, and there is no better place to start than with our members and their families,” says Nathaniel Grant, board chair.

The association has initially dedicated $10,000 per year towards supporting this initiative.

Eligibility criteria

• Children of full-member company owners in good standing with the National Print and Sign Owners Association, who are pursuing a career in printing management, printing technology, or graphic design within the print and sign industry are eligible to apply.
• Students currently enrolled or planning to enrol in a printing or graphics program at a North American technical school, college, or university, whether part-time or full-time, are eligible.
• Students must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better.
• As part of the scholarship application, applicants are required to submit official transcripts and a 1,000-word essay outlining their career goals and reasons for seeking the scholarship.
• Applicants may be asked to participate in a Zoom interview with NPSOA’s board of directors.

Selection process

• Applications must be received on or before May 31, 2024.
• NPSOA’s board will evaluate each application carefully and award scholarships to those who best meet the criteria, with a focus on the application essay.

Scholarship amounts

• Each scholarship shall be at least $2,500.
• Students may apply to have their scholarships renewed provided they maintain their 3.0 GPA.
• They must also agree to provide an update on their progress via a Zoom call with NPSOA’s board.

The Print Impact Report, the company’s latest annual printing industry report, compares how 300+ marketing decision makers are planning, executing, and adjusting their strategies as well as integrating technologies into print marketing campaigns.

The Print Impact Report found marketers are embracing technology to support their print campaigns, with 31 per cent of marketers planning to use AI to support their print marketing efforts and 32 per cent already using the technology. The study also found that 39 per cent of marketers have adopted web-to-print technology, citing the following main advantages: reduced costs through on-demand printing (50 per cent), personalization and customization of the message (37 per cent), improved efficiencies and streamlined workflow (36 per cent) and enhanced brand consistency (31 per cent). Additionally, 50 per cent of marketers shared they use QR codes in their print marketing and expect for that to continue.

“Modern marketers are prioritizing innovation to uphold print’s relevance and effectiveness as a tool within their omnichannel arsenals,” said Margo Yohner, senior vice-president of growth, Commercial Print, RRD. “Companies are not simply abandoning print; they’re actively seeking ways to optimize its value.”

Print’s relationship status with digital isn’t complicated

The data shows a strong agreement among marketers that print can effectively complement digital efforts by reinforcing digital messaging and driving traffic to online channels. The report found that a “digital primary, print secondary” combination is seen as the most effective approach by marketers (48 per cent), further highlighting the value of print in supporting digital efforts.

Additionally, the report highlights that 94 per cent of marketers are using print marketing to overcome digital fatigue; the top three strategies are personalizing print materials for targeted messaging (62 per cent), integrating print with digital campaigns for cross-channel engagement (46 per cent) and leveraging print for brand storytelling and establishing credibility (41 per cent).

“Print complements digital rather than competing with it. With the ongoing growth of digital marketing, print serves as an effective enhancement to digital channels,” said Stefanie Cortes, director of strategic analysis, Direct Marketing Group, RRD. “By embracing new technology, marketers can evolve the print-digital connection from isolated approaches to integrated ones and deliver highly impactful results.”

First-party data is the fuel powering personalized print campaigns

RRD’s report confirmed that marketers are looking to connect with audiences on a deeper level, with more than two-thirds (68 per cent) of organizations reporting that they are currently personalizing their print communications.

In the midst of a crowded digital environment and shifting data regulations, organizations have prioritized how they obtain and utilize first-party data. For marketers working with a print vendor to personalize their communications, two-thirds of these marketers (66 per cent) cite customer feedback as one of their primary sources for first-party data, with customer demographics (59 per cent), email engagement (57 per cent), buying history (51 per cent), and location data (48 per cent) serving as additional other sources.

To read the full report, visit rrd.com/print-impact.

The original cost for UltraColor MAX DTF transfers was a flat rate $0.06 per square inch. With the new pricing model, the cost starts at $0.06 cents per square inch and decreases as low as $0.04 per square inch as the order quantity increases. Quantity price breaks are based on the number of single pieces ordered per individual design.

Stahls’ is also offering more savings potential with free freight on UltraColor MAX orders over $149.

Read more about the new pricing and shipping at blog.stahls.com/dtf-price-breaks.

As a result of the restructuring and sale, the Company is able to continue its operations. Under the terms of the transaction, the company remains Canadian-controlled.

“With this transaction, Black Press is in a much stronger position to serve our valued Canadian and American readers, customers, employees, and communities over the long term,” said Glenn Rogers, chief executive officer of Black Press. “We thank our subscribers, advertisers and employees for their support throughout this process, and we look forward to continuing our mission of providing the best local coverage in all the markets where we operate.”

“We make this promise with confidence because we only ever use high-quality components and our printers are robustly built and very reliable,” said Carmen Eicher, chief sales and marketing officer at SwissQprint. “Customers have always appreciated our machines’ high uptime.”

The new warranty provisions apply with immediate effect to all new machines and for all models, namely the Kudu, Nyala, Impala and Oryx flatbed printers and the Karibu roll-to-roll printer. The provisions stipulate preventative maintenance intervals. “Preventative machine maintenance has always been a principle of ours to avoid problems arising in operation,” added Eicher.

Established in 1920, Maracle specializes in serving clients in the education, publishing, and financial sectors.

This agreement marks a significant milestone for Hothi, representing his seventh acquisition since 2022 and further enhancing his print solutions portfolio.

“I am thrilled to welcome Maracle into our family of companies,” said Hothi. “Maracle’s rich history, dedication to quality, and esteemed reputation perfectly complement our existing operations. This acquisition enhances our ability to serve clients across diverse industries and reinforces our position as a leading print solutions provider in Canada.”

Under the terms of the asset agreement, Maracle will continue its operations in the same facility and under the same name. The former shareholder group, who was represented by Connecting for Results in the transaction, will remain involved to ensure a healthy transition period.

“We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings,” said George Sittlinger, former Maracle president. “Under the leadership of Michael Hothi, we are well-positioned to continue our proud legacy of innovation and commitment to excellence in the printing industry.”

Fujifilm asserts four patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 10,427,443, 10,525,696, 10,875,346, and 11,294,279) pertaining to various aspects of processless lithographic printing plate technologies, including method and apparatus claims, were infringed upon.

Fujifilm is seeking remedies including damages and injunctive relief related to Eastman Kodak’s unauthorized commercial manufacture, use, offer to sell, or sale within the United States, and/or importation of its processless lithographic printing plate products that infringe the four asserted patents, including those sold under the product name “SONORA X” and the brand umbrella name “SONORA XTRA”.

“Fujifilm is committed to protecting its significant research and development investments, and in bringing innovative printing plate technologies to customers around the world,” commented Toyoyuki “Tommy” Katagiri, division president, Fujifilm North America, Graphic Communication Division. “We will enforce and protect our innovation and intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world when we believe others infringe unfairly.”

Separately in October 2023 and December 2023 respectively, Eastman Kodak’s European subsidiaries, Kodak GmbH, Kodak Graphic Communications GmbH, and Kodak Holding GmbH, were sued by Fujifilm for infringement of the related European counterparts of the U.S. patents-in-suit in the Unified Patent Court and in Germany.

“We will continue to protect our intellectual property in processless lithographic printing plates, to the benefit of our customers, including small, family-owned printing businesses, as well as medium- and large-sized printing businesses,” added Katagiri.

“Digital adoption in the folding carton sector to date has been initiated primarily with early adopters, those who are considered visionaries and digital enthusiasts. This has been good for the industry in that it has allowed technologies, business models, and workflows to be evaluated and tested, strengths to be leveraged and weaknesses to be remedied,” said Kevin Karstedt, VP of Keypoint Intelligence’s Packaging service. The next group of converters looking for adoption is the early majority who are more pragmatic in their thinking and will invest in areas that will have the largest impact on their business. “There are marked differences in how each of these converter groups need to be marketed, sold to, and supported, what works for one group will not work for the other,” added Karstedt. These differences are highlighted in the report and are coming at just the right time as the market is poised to enter a new phase of implementation with meaningful changes in technology and productivity. The next few years are going to be very interesting,”

“In 2024, a few new solutions are coming into the market that will take production levels much closer to analog presses in a B1 format,” said Jeff Wettersten, VP of Keypoint Intelligence’s Packaging service. “If the digital market targeted proves to be successful, it will propel the industry into the second phase of digital adoption, focusing on addressing the entirety of production costs.”

The State of the Industry: Folding Carton Report can be accessed here.

According to the LCA, printing corrugated materials on an EFI Nozomi digital press reduces global warming potential (GWP) by approximately 50 per cent when compared to analog printing technologies.

“No printing plates, less energy, less waste, and just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing all contribute to CO2e reductions for corrugated printing on EFI’s Nozomi digital press,” said Seri McClendon, CEO of Clean Agency. “Packaging is a major contributor to Scope 3 emissions, so we not only partnered with EFI to conduct the LCA, but also to build a calculator that enables users to quantify related kilograms of CO2e for specific packaging printing volumes and applications.”

Scope 3 emissions refer to indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of an organization, including both upstream and downstream activities, and represent a significant portion of a company’s carbon footprint.

For prospective customers, brands, and retailers, the LCA tool can calculate the CO2e of a given print job on Nozomi technology, as well as project and compare what the same job would generate on other printing technologies, including flexography, offset litho, and digital pre-print.

“We are pleased with the results of the LCA and are pursuing independent third-party verification of the findings for additional validation, which we anticipate coming in April,” said Evandro Matteucci, EFI’s VP/GM of building materials and packaging. “It’s an iterative process, and we will continue testing and proving the LCA with our customers going forward.”

The “news is devastating for the journalists and media workers who have continued to deliver local news for communities throughout Atlantic Canada and who have been through numerous challenging times,” said Unifor’s national president Lana Payne. “This one cuts close to home as I got my start in journalism many years ago at the St. John’s Telegram. I know how committed these media workers are.”

“This is yet another massive hit to local news that threatens the jobs of hard-working journalist and media worker members and worsens what has been a growing number of news deserts across this country. We stand by our members as we weather this storm together,” Payne added.

There are 35 Unifor Local 441-G members working as reporters, videographers, printing press, and in advertising at the Telegram who were notified by the company’s chief operating officer Ian Scott of its Companies’ Creditor Arrangement Act (CCAA) filing.

The private fund also claims the Chronicle Herald, the Halifax-based newspaper that SaltWire owns, owes $2.6 million for missed pension payments, according to the legal documents. The status of pension funding will be of particular concern to Unifor during CCAA proceedings.

CCAA is federal legislation designed to provide large companies the opportunity to restructure their operations and/or their financial obligations in order to continue in operation once the crisis that led to the filing of the CCAA application is addressed. It is also used as a way to liquidate companies in an orderly way.

Unifor will expect the courts supervising the CCAA process to diligently consider employee interests and strictly apply the limited rules that protect employees instead of lenders.

Meanwhile, the loss of local news across Canada – including in the Atlantic region – is devastating as this comes on the heels of Metroland newspaper closings and Bell Media layoffs.

“Employees and members at the Telegram, who consistently punch above their weight, were hoping that their recent sacrifices through tough pandemic times would help stabilize the company and pay off with job security,” said Unifor Atlantic regional director Jennifer Murray. “Instead, they now face the stress and uncertainty of their paycheques, benefits, pensions and severance at risk, while watching their communities’ democracy suffer with every additional news media bankruptcy or restructuring.”

The union has not received any word of changes in day-to-day operations, including layoffs, and will continue to monitor the situation and keep the membership informed.

Unifor represents more than 10,000 media workers, including journalists in the broadcast and print news industry.

“We had a solid first quarter despite persistently challenging market conditions,” said Thomas Morin, president and CEO of TC Transcontinental. “This performance is largely attributable to cost reductions in line with our priorities and the profitability and financial position improvement program announced in December.

However, operating earnings before depreciation and amortization increased by $6.8 million, or nine per cent, from $75.9 million in the first quarter of 2023 to $82.7 million in the first quarter of 2024. Adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization increased by $12 million, or 14.3 per cent, from $84.1 million in the first quarter of 2023 to $96.1 million in the first quarter of 2024. These increases were mainly due to cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by lower volume.

“The Packaging Sector had an excellent start with a 29.6 per cent growth in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for the quarter compared to last year, as the initiatives implemented to reduce our costs and a more favourable product mix more than offset the softer demand across the market. While there are still uncertainties surrounding short-term demand, we are satisfied with the progress made with the deployment of new equipment related to our strategic investments and the market interest in that respect.

“In our printing sector, our cost reduction initiatives allowed us to mitigate the persistent challenges facing our book printing activities. We are encouraged by the opportunities in our retail related services, in particular the continued roll-out of Raddar [flyer] as well as our in-store marketing activities.

“I’m pleased that our two-year program aimed at improving our earnings per share and our financial position has already started to show results. By the end of the second quarter, we will have reduced our overall workforce by six per cent. We also achieved significant cost of goods sold savings, and our solid earnings and free cash flows enabled us to reduce our indebtedness ratio to 2.00x at the end of the first quarter.”

“Our financial position is solid, and we expect to generate significant cash flows by the end of fiscal 2024 that will enable us to pursue our debt reduction objective,” said Donald LeCavalier, executive vice-president and CFO of TC Transcontinental.

The company believes sustainable packaging solutions position should be a key driver of long-term growth. In the printing sector, the company expects lower volume in their traditional activities. They expect to offset this decrease by cost reduction initiatives and the continued roll-out of the Raddar flyer.

Advertek offers a wide array of services such as lithography and digital printing, wide format, dye sublimation, and promotional items. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Advertek’s 25-year journey as a commercial printing and photo imaging services provider.

“This strategic move not only broadens our technological horizons, but also significantly boosts our capacity to provide personalized and embellished products,” said Joe Montalbano, co-CEO of Advertek. “This strategic move not only diversifies Advertek’s portfolio, but also promises to deliver increased value and innovative solutions to its clients all across North America.”

“Integrating CCI’s specialized skills distinctly positions us to offer bespoke, high-quality printed products, further distinguishing our services in the market,” added Simon Spina, co-CEO, of Advertek. “Advertek is set to expand its capabilities and reinforce its position at the forefront of the printing industry.”

Known for layflat photo books and premium canvas prints, CCI has HP Indigo presses, Smyth sewing machine as well as an MGI Jet Varnish and Epilog Engraving Laser.

This would result in one-time rebates between $2,600 and nearly $7,000 in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta – the provinces under the federal carbon backstop since the beginning. In the four Atlantic provinces that came under the carbon tax just eight months ago, rebates would be between $630 and $1,060, according to CFIB estimates.

“That’s a big chunk of money that small business owners could really use right now. It’s deeply unfair that five years into the program, Ottawa is still sitting on over $2.5 billion it owes to small firms,” said CFIB president Dan Kelly. “Enough is enough. The government must act now and return the promised carbon tax revenues to all small businesses in the eight provinces under the federal backstop.”

The federal government is also cutting SME rebates promised to small businesses to five per cent from nine per cent.

“Rather than viewing small businesses as a partner on climate change, the federal government clearly sees them as the just the source of a big bag of cash to deal with political sensitivities over the carbon tax,” Kelly added. “While small firms take no issue with increased rebates for rural residents and Indigenous organizations, it is outrageous that the tiny sliver of rebate revenue aimed at small businesses would be cut nearly in half to pay for it.”

CFIB continues to call for fairness for small businesses and push the federal government to:

• immediately return the $2.5 billion owed to all small businesses since 2019;
• scrap the idea of returning the SME allocation only to “emissions-intensive, trade-exposed” businesses in favour of a simple rebate for all SMEs;
• scrap the plan to reduce the SME share of carbon tax revenue from 9% to 5% in 2024 and rebate it annually;
• increase the SME rebate to 40 per cent of carbon tax revenue – the share CFIB estimates comes from business;
• pass Bill C-234 as originally proposed to exempt natural gas and propane used for on-farm activities, including grain drying and heating farm buildings;
• freeze the carbon tax rate at its current level; and
• exempt all heating fuels, including natural gas.

“We are confident that the synergy between RWB Boswell Graphics and our group of companies will meet the needs for products, services, and technical support of printers,” said Stéphane Fortin, president of Technorol and RWB Boswell Graphics.

Robert Boswell, general manager of RWB Boswell Graphics, added, ” This acquisition sets the stage for a new chapter of growth and opportunities for our team and customers alike. This acquisition will enhance our ability to provide additional products to our existing customer base and to serve and meet their evolving needs.”

As Phase 1 in the transition to a unique Employee-Management Partnership (EMP), 50 per cent of Annex Business Media shares are now owned by a broad management team.

Phase 2 will see the remaining Annex employees more closely integrated with the financial success of the company through an Enhanced Employee Incentive Program (EEIP).

Annex has been working with consultants Ernst & Young (EY) for the last 10 months to secure financing and find an option to dedicate up to 50 per cent of after-tax profits to power this significant employee benefit, and will continue to do so in the coming months. It is expected that this second phase will be completed prior to year-end.

Annex founders Mike and Sue Fredericks have been instrumental in shaping the new ownership structure, and will serve as co-chairs on the company’s board of directors.

“Sue and I are really excited to pass on the ownership and legacy of Annex to the management and employees,” says Mike Fredericks. “We are very proud of Annex’s position as Canada’s pre-eminent business media company and feel we have the right management team and employee group in place at this moment in time.” Sue adds that today’s announcement is a “dream scenario for the Director of Soul. Offering the opportunity to ‘own’ Annex’s next phase to the people who helped to build our success is our way of paying it forward”.

Also effective immediately, Scott Jamieson is CEO of Annex Business Media and will serve on the board of directors. Scott has been with the company for 20 years, spending the past five as president and COO.

“Following Mike and Sue’s lead, Annex has often built its own path to success,” says Jamieson.  “Through their vision and generosity of spirit, the employees and management will have a rare opportunity to continue the Annex legacy, to build the enterprise along our core values and within our unique culture, and to benefit directly from its success while doing so. On behalf of all of us at Annex, I thank Mike and Sue and wish them the very best in their next act.”

The transaction was financed by TD Bank, with tax, financing and ownership structure consultation from EY.

Annex Business Media is Canada’s largest B2B media company with 60 media brands, such as PrintAction, serving the country’s business elite through an omni-channel network. Its 160 employees are based in two Ontario offices and across six additional provinces.

“CJ Graphics and Media Resources have worked together on many customer projects in the past to much success. This acquisition is the perfect solution for accelerating our growth in this exciting business sector. We believe CJG will add great value to MRI print clients because of the large variety of advanced print options we offer in our facility. This is truly a win-win for all clients and our collective staff,” said Jay Mandarino, president and CEO of CJ Graphics.

The divestiture of MRI’s large-format print division to CJG is part of a broader strategic change designed to concentrate MRI’s efforts and resources on its core competencies of end-to-end manufacturing of indoor and outdoor digital signage, 3D fabrication and installation services across North America. The relationship will also see CJG utilizing MRI’s installation, 3D and digital services for existing clients.

“When Jay approached us about the possibility of the acquisition of our print division, it was critical to ensure all Media Resources print employees would remain with CJGs and our existing print customers would continue to have the same level of service they have had with Media Resources. CJ’s capabilities in the print industry are second to none in the North American market and will provide great career opportunities for our staff. We could not be happier,” said Will Thomson, senior vice-president of Media Resources.

Despite the ongoing challenging global economic environment, which is being exacerbated by a number of factors such as higher energy, material and personnel costs, Group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) reached €29.9m. This places EBIT within the forecast range of €25m to €35m, which was adjusted on 8 November 2023. At €1,326.8m, Group revenue is at the upper end of the guidance of €1,300m. In the previous year, revenue amounted to €1,185.7m and EBIT to €22.0m. Consequently, revenue improved by 11.9 per cent compared to the previous year, while EBIT increased by €7.9m, translating into an increase of 35.9 per cent. The EBIT margin reached 2.3 per cent, compared with 1.9 per cent in the previous year.

The profitability despite the start-up and trailing costs in the Digital and Webfed segment is due to more efficient handling of inflation-induced additional costs (material, energy and personnel) as well as improved cost management in the third quarter as a result of the absence of any recovery in demand. At the same time, it was possible to largely pass on the higher energy, material and personnel costs, while the temporary increase in the costs of materials subsided again.

In the fourth quarter, Koenig & Bauer was able to remain on the growth trajectory that it had adopted in the first half of 2023, despite a weaker third quarter. In this regard, the final quarter showed its usual strength again, with revenues coming to €435.7m (previous year: €380.0m) and EBIT to €32.0m (previous year: €25.0m).

Order intake amounted to €1,287.9m at the end of the year, falling slightly short of the previous year’s historically high figure of €1,329.3m. The book-to-bill ratio stood at 1.0 in the fourth quarter, up from the previous year’s figure of 0.8. As planned, the order backlog contracted from €950.4m to €911.5m at the end of the year as a result of the completed deliveries.

Order intake in the Special segment increased by 37.1 per cent to €538.8m as of the end of the year (previous year: €392.9m). In the fourth quarter alone, order intake amounted to €268.1m, underpinned by an order in the Banknote Solutions business unit received from the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. At €413.7m as of 31 December 2023, revenue was slightly down on the previous year’s figure of €417.1m. However, at €23.0m, EBIT almost reached the previous year’s level of €23.2m.

At €606.2m, order intake in the Sheetfed segment was below the extremely high figure of €813.5m recorded in the previous year following a sequential improvement in the fourth quarter. However, the previous year had been characterized by post-pandemic catch-up effects as well as greater stockpiling by customers and brand owners as a result of supply chain and material bottlenecks. After a strong final quarter, revenue increased by 16 per cent to €779.8m (previous year: €672.2m). This performance is also reflected in EBIT, which climbed by 56.8 per cent to €29.8m (previous year: €19.0m).

At €179.8m, the Digital & Webfed segment recorded a 9.9 per cent increase in order intake (previous year: €163.6m). Revenue also climbed by 23.2 per cent year-on-year to €172.3m (previous year: €139.8m), not least due to a successful final quarter. EBIT was impacted by start-up and trailing costs in the second and third quarters in connection with the introduction of the new flexo, corrugated board and digital printing products, particularly in the second and third quarters, and amounted to €-23.9m after 12 months (previous year: €-19.3m).

Dr Stephen Kimmich, CFO, comments, “As we are still operating in an extremely challenging market environment, we have continued on our path aimed at improving operating profit. Nevertheless, we are aware that Koenig & Bauer needs to be more profitable looking forward. Just like our successful customers, we must focus on the value drivers that are spurring our transformation from a printing press manufacturer into a technology company. In addition, we have to address the challenges of a world characterized by rapid and unpredictable change.”

Koenig & Bauer continues to face a challenging macroeconomic environment in 2024. Even so, the management board expects the EBIT margin and revenue to remain stable at the previous year’s level in 2024. Accordingly, it projects operating earnings of between €25m and €40m and revenue of around €1.3bn. However, Group EBIT for 2024 will be burdened by up to €10m as a result of spending on Drupa.

The Special and Digital & Webfed segments should make a disproportionately large contribution to both EBIT and revenue. By contrast, the Sheetfed segment is expected to account for a disproportionately small proportion of earnings and revenue in the first half of 2024. In the Sheetfed sector in particular, a wait-and-see attitude ahead of the industry’s leading trade fair Drupa could lead to purchasing restraint.

Given the persistently muted economic situation, the company projects an EBIT margin of six to seven per cent in 2026 at the latest, accompanied by Group revenue of €1.5bn. In the medium term, it is looking for revenue of around €1.8bn and an EBIT margin of eight to nine per cent.

It completed a series of reorganizational activities that will allow it to save more than $10 million on an annual basis and break even during the second half of 2024. Activities included:

• a funding round from existing and new shareholders;
• debt restructuring; and
• temporary shutdown of major R&D projects and the respective reduction in force.

The company also secured a strategic deal with BHS Corrugated.

According to a media statement, the company’s customer base in its target markets of folding carton and corrugated have demonstrated consistent growth.

Highcon will be participating in Drupa 2024 and sees it as an opportunity to ignite its business.

The company ended 2023 with $7 million in systems backlog to be delivered in 2024, some of which was already delivered to customers and will be recognized as revenue in the first quarter of 2024. It should be noted that the company’s recurring revenues (consumables and services) increased by 20 per cent to $4.2 million in 2023 compared with 2022. The company expects such growth to continue in 2024. As such, the company expects significant growth in overall revenues in 2024 in comparison to 2023.

The company’s cash balance at the end of 2023 was $9.5 million including $0.9 million of restricted cash. Following the company’s actions related to cost reduction as well as its expected growth for 2024, the company expects to reach cash breakeven in the second half of 2024.

“2023 was a challenging year for Highcon as the global economy slow down, negatively impacted new order intake,” commented Shlomo Nimrodi, CEO. “R&D costs increased as the company invested in the development of the new product platform for the corrugated market. While making good progress on this development, which resulted in multiple commitments from new customers to purchase the future product, the impact was that the company faced a cash crunch.”

The integration automatically flows customer contacts in PrintVis for recent transactions into LoyaltyLoop, automating the feedback process. Feedback results automatically flow from LoyaltyLoop back into PrintVis, allowing users to monitor customer sentiments and act quickly.

Brandon Steele, product manager at PrintVis, said, “PrintVis consistently seeks valuable partnerships for the benefit of our customers, and our collaboration with LoyaltyLoop perfectly aligns with this commitment. By combining our expertise in print management with LoyaltyLoop’s customer engagement platform, we aim to empower print businesses with the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive market. Together, we can help print businesses elevate their customer experience and drive sustainable growth.”

John DiPippo, owner and president at LoyaltyLoop, added, “One of our goals at LoyaltyLoop is helping printers increase their efficiency and drive their growth. The team at PrintVis share that goal, and we are proud to be their partner. By integrating our software, feedback and reviews can be gathered with virtually no effort, and monitoring customer experience metrics, like Net Promoter Score, will be at the printer’s fingertips inside PrintVis. By acting quickly on feedback that improves the customer experience, printers strengthen their business, brand, and bottom line.”

CMG’s education, analysis and system integration resources are developed and executed by the company’s exclusive group of consultants. Alwan has provided the industry with bespoke colour management and process control for all print and packaging production applications and environments.

Lida Jalali Marschke, founder and owner of the Color Management Group, said, “We’re thrilled to work with Elie and his team as CMG becomes the new master distributor for Alwan in North America. I have always admired what Elie has accomplished, and I am confident that our combined experiences will benefit the industry.”

Alwan founder and CEO Elie Khoury is equally enthusiastic. “CMG has an A-list of consultants; experts who understand where Alwan products will serve providers best,” he says. “They have been asking for access to the Alwan product line, and now, with CMG as our distributor, they have it. Our customers are in good hands.”

Dawson, 52, was born and raised in Tilbury, Ont., a rural community about an hour northeast of Detroit. He attended the University of Waterloo and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Like many NPSOA members, Dawson is a second-generation print owner. His father started the business in 1978.

“Being a print owner wasn’t a ‘longtime dream,’ but when I graduated, an opportunity came up within the business. I took a little while, but I now love the business and the industry and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” said Dawson, who makes history becoming the first director from Canada to serve on the NPSOA board.

“David brings considerable expertise to the board and is a regular participant in NPSOA’s think tanks and national conferences,” added Nathaniel Grant, NPSOA’s chair. “He will bring a fresh perspective and undoubtedly many new ideas.”

Founded in 1931, Mohawk is a family-owned company that produces specialty papers for designers, brands, and printers.

“The sharing of core values such as solid know-how and a focus on innovation and environmental impact reduction led to the acquisition of this firm, which became part of the Fedrigoni Special Papers division and represents an important piece in the group’s overseas growth strategy,” said the company in a news release.

“This is our third M&A this year (after SharpEnd in UK and Arjowiggins China), a relevant step forward to enhance our premium product offerings to customers in the U.S. in specialty papers for luxury packaging and fine digital printing,” added Marco Nespolo, CEO at Fedrigoni Group. “Thanks to Mohawk’s entry into our group we will now be able to produce and distribute to customers a wide range of Fedrigoni high value-added papers directly in North America, and conversely expand access to Mohawk specialty papers internationally. We will thus increasingly support the strategies of our customers who favour nearshoring models in place of the traditional global purchasing-oriented approach, to reduce their environmental impact and minimize the risks of supply chain disruption.”

On a net area of approx. 140,000 m² with 18 show halls, 1,427 exhibitors from 50 countries will present the entire spectrum of current trends and visionary ideas within print technology. Exhibitors include Bobst, Canon, Comexi, Duplo, EFI, Epson, Esko, Fujifilm, Heidelberg, Horizon, HP, Kodak, Koenig & Bauer, Kolbus, Komori, Konica Minolta, KURZ, Landa, Müller Martini, Ricoh, Screen, Windmöller & Hölscher, Xeikon. You can view the complete list of exhibitors online at www.drupa.de.

Drupa 2024 focus topics

Limited fossil resources and carbon emissions have caused sustainability to become an essential part of long-term company strategies.  Depending on the use of resources, the print and packaging industries are already using manufacturing procedures that save energy and resources today. Drupa explains the important facts for sustainable production of print and packaging solutions and which trends are evolving within the sector in order to achieve the goal of a circular economy.

Digitalization is changing analogue processes, while artificial intelligence is taking on more and more tasks in Industry 4.0. Drupa presents top technologies across the industry’s entire added value chain with a special focus on future and cross-sectional technologies. With this scenario in mind, topics like circular economy, automation, printing/finishing 4.0, artificial intelligence, platform economy and connectivity will be taking centre stage in the conference programme and expert forums.

Drupa cube

Why is printing more important than ever in the digital age? Why do customers not always perceive printed products as sustainable? And how do you calculate your carbon footprint? These are just some of the issues that will be discussed in the Drupa cube in 2024. In more than 50 sessions, the conference offers inspiration and expertise. The programme features five keynotes from international industry specialists and presentations about topics like increasing your business success, circular economy and sustainability, the future of print and packaging as well as sessions and best practice examples regarding new business models and trends.

Drupa touchpoint sustainability

Touchpoint sustainability deals with the role of the printing and paper industries in sustainable transformation and offers an overview of current, mid- and long-term developments. Technologies from mechanical and systems engineering are especially important in this context, above all with regard to quality, process safety during production and sustainability. Digitalization and AI play key parts in order to accelerate the transformation process in the print and paper industries and to realize scaling effects. Manufacturers, industry players, brands and users together show how change can become reality in their many exhibits at touchpoint sustainability. Visitors to touchpoint sustainability can also enjoy a broad accompanying programme.

Drupa touchpoint packaging

Touchpoint packaging concentrates on visionary, intelligent packaging solutions and brings brand owners together with designers, print service providers and converters. The involvement of students and young talents in partner projects with exhibitors promises unique packaging solutions for folding boxes, labels, flexible packaging and corrugated cardboard. Beyond this, there will be discussion of important questions regarding global megatrends and their impact on packaging production, for example sustainability or e-commerce. The five key topics of touchpoint packaging are neo-ecology, connectivity, glocalization, consumer mind and future regulations.

Drupa next age

Big ideas, tiny budget – for many young companies, it’s not easy to make the right contacts and establish their fascinating and innovative solutions on the market. For this target group, Drupa has created a special platform: Drupa next age (dna). Newcomers, young talents, start-ups and established companies can network on a level playing field, find matching partners for cooperation and exchange innovative business ideas. For some participants, this is the first chance ever to present their businesses to an international audience of experts.

 Drupa touchpoint textile

 For details regarding the programme, partners and speakers of each special forum, see: https://www.drupa.de/de/Programm. For more information, see www.drupa.de.

The paper and packaging company says its corrugated medium mill in Trenton, Ont., that is currently idled will not restart operations, while converting plants in Belleville, Ont., and Newtown, Conn., will close by May 31.

It says it decided to close the facilities due to a combination of market conditions, higher operating costs, aging technology and the need for significant capital investment.

Cascades will work with the impacted employees to mitigate, where possible, the effect of the closures.

Employees who cannot or do not wish to relocate to other plants will receive support in their search for other employment, the company says.

Cascades will record $61 million in impairment and environmental obligation charges associated with the closures in the fourth quarter of its 2023 financial results as well as about $35 million in additional restructuring charges in the coming years.

Jocelyn Aguilar-Ariscon awarded the Dick Blockberger In Memoriam Scholarship

Blockberger was the third-generation president & CEO of Broadway Printers, a director of BCPIA and Canadian Graphic Arts Association, and director & chair of CPIA. He is recognized for his dedication to the industry with several awards.

Nats Chua awarded the Jack Hazeldine In Memoriam Scholarship

Hazeldine was the president of Hazeldine Press and at various times held the position of president of BCPIA and chair of BCPIA. He was committed to industry training and education, serving for many years on the CPIA Scholarship Trust Fund Committee and was a key contributor to developing the BCIT Graphic Communications Technology Program. In 2003, he became the first Honourary Life Member of BCPIA.

Rainbow Yang awarded the Bruce Brydon In Memoriam Scholarship

Brydon served as president & chair of the Board of Coast Paper and was known for his genuine engagement with staff, customers and suppliers. He was a NPTA Stanley O. Styles Award winner in 1999, recognizing his industry leadership, innovation, dedication and character.

Doug Climie, vice-chair of PrintForward and Scholarship Committee Chair mentioned, “We’re proud to continue to recognize and support the next generation of print leaders with scholarships that honour the legacies of those that contributed so much in recent decades. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jocelyn, Nats and Rainbow!”

“The Graphic Communications program is lucky to have had such great support from the industry. Canadian Print Scholarships, in particular, has been and continues to be a strong supporter. We greatly appreciate that, and we hope to continue this partnership as we strive to have knowledgeable, skillful graduates every year.” said Masih Ferdosian, program head of the Graphic Communications Program at BCIT.

“Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients! We are very happy to support the academic pursuits of these students as they refine the necessary skills to build a rewarding career within the printing and graphic arts industry,” added Jason Schneider, board trustee at Canadian Print Scholarships.

Brand Chain provides members with access to premier education and supply chain partnerships. “With a rich legacy in print, Brand Chain is excited to join forces with Printing United Alliance and sees this merger as an opportunity to further empower distributors and elevate industry standards,” says Matt Bruno, executive director, Brand Chain. “Together with the Alliance, Brand Chain aims to develop a stronger supply chain ecosystem, enabling members to expand their capabilities and forge even more meaningful partnerships.”

The Alliance shares Brand Chain and PERF’s vision for advancing the printing industry through collaboration and innovation. The merger will enable the organizations to leverage their respective strengths, resources, and expertise to better serve their members and drive positive change within the industry.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brand Chain and PERF to the Printing United Alliance family,” says Ford Bowers, CEO, Printing United Alliance. “This merger represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to strengthen the printing industry’s product life cycle and chain of value. By combining our strengths and resources, we can create new opportunities for growth, innovation, and success for all members.”

PERF is organized exclusively for research and educational purposes, including establishing educational programs for individuals interested in printing education and research. PERF supports Brand Chain in providing valuable education, programs, and resources for its members.

“The synonymous missions of Printing United Alliance, Brand Chain, and PERF make this partnership not only highly anticipated, but also exciting to see just how well we can even better serve the marketplace,” says Nathan Goldberg, CEO of Specialized, and chair of PERF. “By uniting all resources, we are able to accelerate the growth of education in print for distribution and wholesale.”

This award acknowledges PDS’ outstanding achievement, going above & beyond in sales, technical service/support and customer satisfaction, said a media statement.

Brett Kisiloski, president of PDS, added, “2023 was a truly groundbreaking year for us. We went through some big changes, leading to incredible growth and we are so thankful.”

According to a post on its website, Printing Press is a board game that transports players back to the Renaissance era. Players will be competing “to establish the most prestigious print shop by mastering the intricate art of publishing” in this game.

The game is scheduled for release on March 20. Pre-orders are now open and will be shipped two weeks before the official release date.

It also establishes a a wholly owned subsidiary to develop, manufacture, and sell inkjet heads and related products. An executive officer of Riso Technologies Corp. will serve as the representative director of the subsidiary.