Quad Completes Sale of Former Oklahoma City and Fernley Manufacturing Facilities

Last June, Chanhassen, Minnesota-based IWCO Direct announced a two-year, $50 million expansion plan, the largest in the 52-year history of the the direct marketing solutions provider. Part of those expenditures includes the installation of high-speed inkjet printing presses, largely in response to changing direct mail client needs for more highly personalized, data-driven campaigns, produced in shorter runs with rapid turn times. This new omnichannel market reality has also required IWCO Direct CEO John Ashe and his executive team to make difficult decisions about how to optimize the company's existing production facilities and remove excess capacity. As part of this, the 330 workers employed at IWCO Direct's Little Falls, Minn., lithographic printing, letter shop, and commingling plant were told last week that the 200,000-sq.-ft., leased facility — located 100 miles north of Minneapolis in a town of 8,500 residents nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River — will close by Jan. 2, 2022.

Graphco, distributor of the leading 8-UP sheetfed press in the Midwest and Southeast, has delivered another fully automated RMGT offset press to Hagg Press in Elgin, Illinois. This time an RMGT 970ST+LED installation continues the Graphco/Hagg Press relationship which began in 2018, when a new 40-inch RMGT 10 Series press was purchased as the first step in modernizing the firm’s print platform. “We knew we needed to change out our old presses,we just weren’t sure what brand was the best for our business,” states Jordan Hagg, President of Hagg Press. The first RMGT 10 Series press picked up the volume formerly produced by one 28” and two 40” presses from Komori and Manroland. Hagg’s print volume grew significantly during the first few years after the new press came online. “Half of our RMGT years took place during the pandemic, but growth has basically been thrust on us by our existing customers and several new major accounts that came our way. I think our print quality, fair pricing, and the fact we rarely miss a deadline makes Hagg Press an attractive source,” Hagg comments. “We’re glad we picked the RMGT press from Graphco.”

The National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) Board of Directors has announced its increased support of Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use and sustainability of print and paper. NAPIM Executive Director, John Copeland and Director Regulatory Affairs and Technology, George Fuchs will be joining Two Sides’ Anti-Greenwash Task Force to ensure that the views of NAPIM members are considered in Two Sides campaign activities. Membership discussions are also underway with specific companies in the ink manufacturing sector to ensure representation within the Two Sides network of companies and governance. Click Read More below for additional information.