GLGA Announces Recipients of Second Women in Print Leadership Award

Sheridan, a leading provider of printing solutions for the publishing industry, recently welcomed associates from some of the nation’s top publishing companies to its Print Masterclass held at its Versailles, KY facility. This extensive program was designed to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the print production process, from file preparation to bound book, offering valuable insights into industry best practices. Sheridan’s inaugural Print Masterclass brought together ten participants from Penguin Random House and Hachette who took part in educational sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and a plant tour. They left with an enhanced understanding of the technical and creative aspects of print production, allowing them to apply these insights directly to their roles in publishing. “It’s always a rewarding experience to exchange ideas and bridge the gap between what publishers do at their desks and what happens on the production floor,” said Rich Letchinger, VP of Trade and Education Book Sales at Sheridan.

More than 300 visitors from around the world and over 40 international trade journalists attended the Packaging Day hosted by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) at its Wiesloch-Walldorf plant at the beginning of November. The “Pushing the Future in Packaging” event showcased the latest solutions and technologies for packaging printing. The aim of these solutions is to increase the efficiency of all processes through intelligent networking and automation. This applies both to printing high-volume standard packaging as well as highly embellished folding cartons in the luxury segment. Packaging printing is the strongest growing segment in the print media industry. Annual growth rates of around three percent are expected in the coming five years, and around 20 percent for digital printing. Heidelberg announced a broad-based product campaign for this market at drupa 2016, which is now being implemented consistently – in both offset and digital technology. As key note speaker, Steffen Schnizer, Managing Director of Multi Packaging Solutions in Obersulm near Heilbronn, emphasized that demand from brand owners for exclusively finished packaging is on the increase. Nowhere is this truer than in the cosmetics and perfume industry. Purchase decisions are frequently made at the point of sale, where high-quality packaging guarantee the necessary attention. “Heidelberg not only offers its customers the widest range of products for packaging output, but is also the clear market and technological leader in this area,” emphasized company CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer at the opening of the Packaging Day. Click Read More below for additional information.

Copy Express of Lexington recently purchased the five-color RMGT 940ST-5+CC+LED-UV with coater offset press from Graphco. This is the first RMGT 940 press to be installed in the United States and the first RMGT 940 with coater to be delivered worldwide. Copy Express has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with president and owner Mark Hicks noting that he has made strategic acquisitions over the last several years to facilitate that expansion. “That’s how I grow as quickly as I want,” he notes. The combined company — which has consolidated under the Copy Express brand — is now the largest commercial printer in the area, counting most of the ad agencies, major corporations and universities among their growing client list. Click Read More below for additional detail.