Winter 2004                    return to newsletter contents page

FPPA Member News

Click on the buttons below to see the latest news from FPPA members.

BCM Inks Honored in 2003

BCM INKS reports many achievements and accolades in 2003.  Some of the company’s awards/honors were as follows:

• ISO 9001-2000 Certification. BCM Inks is one of a limited number of ink companies to achieve this certification.

• AICC Innovator of the Year Runner-up Award for Secure-a-Flex Security Inks. This was an international competition.

• Supplier of the Year Award from Linpac Displays, Inc.

• Clemson Award for BCM Inks’ Educational Assistance

• First Place Award in the AICC Student Design Competition for Clemson’s Basketball Trash Can. BCM was the ink supplier. 

BCM also began the Ink Link e-newsletter in 2003.

Creo Signs Agreement to Resell Xerox Digital Systems

Creo Inc. (NASDAQ: CREO; TSX: CRE) and Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) announced today that they have entered into an agreement under which Creo will resell Xerox's mid-range and entry-level production color digital presses in the United States and Canada. Effective February 1, Creo will sell the Xerox DocuColor® 3535, 5252 and 6060 digital color presses combined with the Creo Spire(tm) color server and other prepress software. In addition, Creo will work with Xerox's direct sales force to identify sales opportunities for the DocuColor iGen3 production press. The reseller agreement allows Xerox to increase the penetration of digital presses into commercial print establishments and offers Creo the ability to provide customers with a complete digital printing solution.

"Xerox and Creo have worked together for many years and we share a vision for how digital print can help commercial printers be more successful," stated Amos Michelson, Creo chief executive officer. "With this agreement, we will be able to support our customers in their move to a combined offset and digital printing world."

The New Agreement

Under the new agreement, Creo will provide system analysis and applications support for the prepress workflow software systems including the Spire color server, while Xerox will provide service and support for the digital presses. Xerox will continue to sell the Creo Spire color server as part of its complete digital print portfolio through existing Xerox channels.

The companies also announced that they will cooperate on the development of workflow software that increases the value of digital print for production customers. Xerox and Creo are both supporters of Networked Graphic Production(tm) (NGP(tm))-the industry-wide initiative with over 30 partners working to automate the entire print production process and create an efficient, collaborative environment between management and production systems. NGP Partners are committed to working together to deliver seamlessly integrated, cross-vendor solutions that decrease cycle times, cut costs and increase revenues. Xerox and Creo expect that their unified workflow software developments will be leading examples of the application of open industry standards. The first examples of the collaborative development are expected to be demonstrated at the upcoming Drupa 2004 tradeshow in May.

"Creo's relationships with commercial printers and its dominant installed base of prepress workflow systems mean that we can bring the value of digital printing to more customers by working together," said Gil Hatch, president, Xerox Production Systems Group. "Our joint product development will address our customers' workflow challenges to provide more efficient processes and deliver greater productivity."

The Benefit

The combined future digital workflow solutions will allow printing professionals to tightly integrate digital printing into their current production operations. For instance, initial work on a project can be completed without a commitment to any particular method of print. At the click of a mouse, operators will instantly direct work to either a digital or an offset press and intervening prepress steps like imposition, formatting and color calibration will be automatically executed. This workflow allows customers to deliver a full range of printed products with unmatched quality and efficiency.

United Engravers Introduces Workflow Advancements

United Engravers continues to show their commitment to technology through introduction of further workflow advancements in 2003 and first quarter 2004.

In September 2003, United Engravers completed installation of the Barco-Eskographics GigaSetter, able to output film as large as 63” x 96”. The GigaSetter fits comfortably into their high-volume workflow by increasing productivity, film output capability, and repeatability.

The company is awaiting the installation of the Cyrel Digital Imager during the first quarter 2004. The CDI will provide computer-to-plate technology large enough to produce a 42” x 60” plate. United Engravers expects the CDI to help them maintain a constant level of high quality, while increasing efficiency and customer satisfaction.

United Engravers is eagerly anticipating the launch of bigflexofilm.com, an online service dedicated to providing oversized film to interested buyers. For those who need to outsource extra-large film, they expect this internet offering to be available first quarter 2004.

Built on a reputation of quality, service, and technology, United Engravers looks forward to 2004 to further establish our position on the cutting edge of our industry. For more information about the equipment and services described above, please contact Dave Newberry or Peter Cappas at United Engravers, (847) 301-3740.