KBA UK marks end of restructure with James Thomas appointment
Thomas joined the company as sales manager for the Southeast last month. Bringing 30 years of experience with him, his most recent role was as national sales and trade development manager for WRH Marketing UK. He was formerly sheetfed sales manager for Manroland’s Midlands team and trained at the London College of Printing. Thomas said: “When I saw the extent of the customer support infrastructure that’s been put in place here in the UK, I knew that I could be part of a major change in the printing industry in this country. “I was staggered by the performance of the latest presses on demonstration; the more I learn about the technologies and the performance, the more enthused I become.” His new role bolsters other additions to KBA UK’s sheetfed sales team this year: Tony Bennett joined the company as area sales manager for the Midlands, Northwest and Wales and Chris Scully succeeded Mark Nixon as sales director at the turn of the year following Nixon’s departure shortly before Drupa. Scully said: “We know from our conversations with many of the country’s leading printers this year that KBA’s technologies shown at Drupa are just too good to be discounted; the impact they make on production performance and the bottom line could be a crucial factor in any operation’s competiveness. “And because every KBA press is built to the exact specifications of the user, it is essential that we have knowledgeable sales managers with a full appreciation of all the variables involved in the production process and the print marketplace in general. James has those qualities and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.” This week KBA announced a 1.6% year-on-year increase in group sheetfed sales although orders were down almost 20%....
read moreHeidelberg remains confident for positive result in 2013
In its interim financial report for the three months to 30 June, the German press manufacturer reported group sales of €504m, 3% down on the €520m achieved during the same period last year, but never-the-less in line with expectations. A Q1 operating loss of €2m, excluding special items (EBITDA), showed a €45m improvement on the €47m loss recorded at the same point last year. The company cited cost savings and higher profit contributions on new equipment, for the improvement, as well as the impact of trade show expenditure on last year’s results. Heidelberg chief executive Gerold Linzbach said: “The substantial increase in our operating result makes us confident that we will record a profit for the year as a whole. “In order to achieve this, we are systematically pressing ahead with our strategic reorganisation so as to further improve our margins for new machine sales in the future and adapt our cost structures to the market situation on an ongoing basis,” he added. Meanwhile, incoming orders for Q1 totalled €643m (2012: €890m) with last year’s figures bloated by Drupa. According to the interim report, a reluctance to invest in the EMEA region and South America, particularly Brazil, offset the positive impact of China Print in May. Free cash flow at the end of June was “at break-even” compared to a negative figure of €-112m at the same point last year. Meanwhile, net debt remained stable at €258m, despite further restructuring payments of around €31m for Focus 2012. The business continued to reduce its workforce across the quarter, cutting 546 positions to 13,669. The group contracted by a total of 1,200 in 2012/13 and is aiming for a headcount of fewer than 13,500 by mid-2014. The company said that the results were in line with expectations and outlook for the year remained unchanged with the intention of achieving a net profit in 2013/14 for the first time since 2008/2009....
read moreYork Mailing acquires Lettershop
The purchase follows York Mailing securing £10m of funding though the Business Growth Fund in July, which was earmarked to support acquisitions and capex. Lettershop has been at the forefront of high-volume direct mail personalisation and, according to York Mailing chief executive Chris Ingram, its work mix and client base is a “natural fit” with York Mailing’s flyer, insert and catalogue operations. “We think there’s a great opportunity for in particular the customers of Pindar to access the amazing hybrid digital and web offset technologies they’ve created at the Lettershop Group, we’re really excited about what we can present to our customers,” said Ingram. Leeds-based Lettershop employs 200 staff and is understood to have generated £20m revenue in its financial year ending 31 January 2013, down from £23m in 2012. Clients include Marks & Spencer, Sky and Tesco. Lettershop commercial director Dave McGolpin and technical/production director Simon Cooper have stepped up to joint managing directors as a result of the sale. Both Cooper and McGolpin will have a “small” equity stake in Lettershop. “I am delighted that the York Mailing Group of companies has acquired The Lettershop Group and along with Simon and David, I think this is the perfect home for The Lettershop business,” said Lettershop owner John Hornby, who has effectively retired from the business. “I firmly believe that being part of the UK’s most dynamic print provider offers a real opportunity for TLG to extend their leading technology to a broader customer base.” Following the acquisition, York Mailing will have a turnover of almost £100m and employ 500 staff across three sites. “This is a fantastic example of BGF’s capital being put to good use; an ambitious management team leading an expanding business. When we started discussions with Chris and Mike prior to our investment, they flagged that this acquisition would be a significant part of the strategy,” said Richard Taylor, senior investment manager at the BGF. The Lettershop purchase follows speculation earlier this month that York Mailing was poised to buy Artisan Press in Leicester. Ingram declined to comment on the rumours surrounding Artisan specifically, but said: “We are always looking at any opportunities that present themselves in the market place that we think will fit with our strategy of creating an exciting set of businesses that add value to each other and provide our portfolio of customers with a rounded set of products.”...
read moreYork Mailing acquires Lettershop
The purchase follows York Mailing securing £10m of funding though the Business Growth Fund in July, which was earmarked to support acquisitions and capex. Lettershop has been at the forefront of high-volume direct mail personalisation and, according to York Mailing chief executive Chris Ingram, its work mix and client base is a “natural fit” with York Mailing’s flyer, insert and catalogue operations. “We think there’s a great opportunity for in particular the customers of Pindar to access the amazing hybrid digital and web offset technologies they’ve created at the Lettershop Group, we’re really excited about what we can present to our customers,” said Ingram. Leeds-based Lettershop employs 200 staff and is understood to have generated £20m revenue in its financial year ending 31 January 2013, down from £23m in 2012. Clients include Marks & Spencer, Sky and Tesco. Lettershop commercial director Dave McGolpin and technical/production director Simon Cooper have stepped up to joint managing directors as a result of the sale. Both Cooper and McGolpin will have a “small” equity stake in Lettershop. “I am delighted that the York Mailing Group of companies has acquired The Lettershop Group and along with Simon and David, I think this is the perfect home for The Lettershop business,” said Lettershop owner John Hornby, who has effectively retired from the business. “I firmly believe that being part of the UK’s most dynamic print provider offers a real opportunity for TLG to extend their leading technology to a broader customer base.” Following the acquisition, York Mailing will have a turnover of almost £100m and employ 500 staff across three sites. “This is a fantastic example of BGF’s capital being put to good use; an ambitious management team leading an expanding business. When we started discussions with Chris and Mike prior to our investment, they flagged that this acquisition would be a significant part of the strategy,” said Richard Taylor, senior investment manager at the BGF. The Lettershop purchase follows speculation earlier this month that York Mailing was poised to buy Artisan Press in Leicester. Ingram declined to comment on the rumours surrounding Artisan specifically, but said: “We are always looking at any opportunities that present themselves in the market place that we think will fit with our strategy of creating an exciting set of businesses that add value to each other and provide our portfolio of customers with a rounded set of products.”...
read moreYork Mailing aquires Lettershop
The purchase follows York Mailing securing £10m of funding though the Business Growth Fund in July, which was earmarked to support acquisitions and capex. Lettershop has been at the forefront of high-volume direct mail personalisation and, according to York Mailing chief executive Chris Ingram, its work mix and client base is a “natural fit” with York Mailing’s flyer, insert and catalogue operations. “We think there’s a great opportunity for in particular the customers of Pindar to access the amazing hybrid digital and web offset technologies they’ve created at the Lettershop Group, we’re really excited about what we can present to our customers,” said Ingram. Leeds-based Lettershop employs 200 staff and is understood to have generated £20m revenue in its financial year ending 31 January 2013, down from £23m in 2012. Clients include Marks & Spencer, Sky and Tesco. Lettershop commercial director Dave McGolpin and technical/production director Simon Cooper have stepped up to joint managing directors as a result of the sale. Both Cooper and McGolpin will have a “small” equity stake in Lettershop. “I am delighted that the York Mailing Group of companies has acquired The Lettershop Group and along with Simon and David, I think this is the perfect home for The Lettershop business,” said Lettershop owner John Hornby, who has effectively retired from the business. “I firmly believe that being part of the UK’s most dynamic print provider offers a real opportunity for TLG to extend their leading technology to a broader customer base.” Following the acquisition, York Mailing will have a turnover of almost £100m and employ 500 staff across three sites. “This is a fantastic example of BGF’s capital being put to good use; an ambitious management team leading an expanding business. When we started discussions with Chris and Mike prior to our investment, they flagged that this acquisition would be a significant part of the strategy,” said Richard Taylor, senior investment manager at the BGF. The Lettershop purchase follows speculation earlier this month that York Mailing was poised to buy Artisan Press in Leicester. Ingram declined to comment on the rumours surrounding Artisan specifically, but said: “We are always looking at any opportunities that present themselves in the market place that we think will fit with our strategy of creating an exciting set of businesses that add value to each other and provide our portfolio of customers with a rounded set of products.”...
read moreYork Mailing aquires Lettershop
The purchase follows York Mailing securing £10m of funding though the Business Growth Fund in July, which was earmarked to support acquisitions and capex. Lettershop has been at the forefront of high-volume direct mail personalisation and, according to York Mailing chief executive Chris Ingram, its work mix and client base is a “natural fit” with York Mailing’s flyer, insert and catalogue operations. “We think there’s a great opportunity for in particular the customers of Pindar to access the amazing hybrid digital and web offset technologies they’ve created at the Lettershop Group, we’re really excited about what we can present to our customers,” said Ingram. Leeds-based Lettershop employs 200 staff and is understood to have generated £20m revenue in its financial year ending 31 January 2013, down from £23m in 2012. Clients include Marks & Spencer, Sky and Tesco. Lettershop commercial director Dave McGolpin and technical/production director Simon Cooper have stepped up to joint managing directors as a result of the sale. Both Cooper and McGolpin will have a “small” equity stake in Lettershop. “I am delighted that the York Mailing Group of companies has acquired The Lettershop Group and along with Simon and David, I think this is the perfect home for The Lettershop business,” said Lettershop owner John Hornby, who has effectively retired from the business. “I firmly believe that being part of the UK’s most dynamic print provider offers a real opportunity for TLG to extend their leading technology to a broader customer base.” Following the acquisition, York Mailing will have a turnover of almost £100m and employ 500 staff across three sites. “This is a fantastic example of BGF’s capital being put to good use; an ambitious management team leading an expanding business. When we started discussions with Chris and Mike prior to our investment, they flagged that this acquisition would be a significant part of the strategy,” said Richard Taylor, senior investment manager at the BGF. The Lettershop purchase follows speculation earlier this month that York Mailing was poised to buy Artisan Press in Leicester. Ingram declined to comment on the rumours surrounding Artisan specifically, but said: “We are always looking at any opportunities that present themselves in the market place that we think will fit with our strategy of creating an exciting set of businesses that add value to each other and provide our portfolio of customers with a rounded set of products.”...
read moreHistoric month brings boost for UK newspapers
July, a popular month for souvenir newspapers following the birth of Prince George and Andy Murray’s Wimbledon win, brought the biggest audience increases for the national Sunday quality market, which recorded a circulation of 1.6m, a month-on-month boost of 1.82%. Only the national morning mid market newspaper segment, which comprises the Daily Express and Daily Mail, reported an overall decrease in readership during what was an historic month for the UK. The 6% drop in circulation revenue recently reported by Daily Mail owner DMGT was reflected in the title’s 1.4% distribution decrease – it was one of only four daily newspapers to report a decline in circulation during the month, and suffered the second largest decrease after the Financial Times which lost 5.3% of its audience. Weekend sister title The Mail on Sunday recorded the largest drop amongst Sunday newspapers (1%), and was one of only two to fall in circulation along with the Sunday Post. Year-on-year comparisons revealed that every newspaper except i experienced continued circulation decline in the six months between February and July. Annual comparisons showed that national Sunday popular newspapers dropped 17% of its audience since July 2012, with the Daily Star Sunday losing nearly a third of its readers. i kept its place as the only national newspaper to gain readership year-on-year (11.1%) while sister title The Independent experienced the biggest fall in circulation out of all dailies (22%). Over the six-month period, Sunday titles lost a bigger share of their audience year-on-year (13%) than the dailies (8.3%)....
read moreHistoric month brings boost for UK newspapers
July, a popular month for souvenir newspapers following the birth of Prince George and Andy Murray’s Wimbledon win, brought the biggest audience increases for the national Sunday quality market, which recorded a circulation of 1.6m, a month-on-month boost of 1.82%. Only the national morning mid market newspaper segment, which comprises the Daily Express and Daily Mail, reported an overall decrease in readership during what was an historic month for the UK. The 6% drop in circulation revenue recently reported by Daily Mail owner DMGT was reflected in the title’s 1.4% distribution decrease – it was one of only four daily newspapers to report a decline in circulation during the month, and suffered the second largest decrease after the Financial Times which lost 5.3% of its audience. Weekend sister title The Mail on Sunday recorded the largest drop amongst Sunday newspapers (1%), and was one of only two to fall in circulation along with the Sunday Post. Year-on-year comparisons revealed that every newspaper except i experienced continued circulation decline in the six months between February and July. Annual comparisons showed that national Sunday popular newspapers dropped 17% of its audience since July 2012, with the Daily Star Sunday losing nearly a third of its readers. i kept its place as the only national newspaper to gain readership year-on-year (11.1%) while sister title The Independent experienced the biggest fall in circulation out of all dailies (22%). Over the six-month period, Sunday titles lost a bigger share of their audience year-on-year (13%) than the dailies (8.3%)....
read moreNew Audion Elektro shrink wrapper cuts downtime
Two model sizes, the LT 470 and LT 670, combine a heavy duty L-bar sealer and shrink tunnel for packing, sealing and shrinking products. They can be used with a variety of films due to their precise temperature and speed controls, according to the manufacturer. The devices minimise maintenance and eliminate the need for a hot-knife seal bar by incorporating a seal wire temperature control system, providing strong seals and increased life of the wire. Another key feature, according to the manufacturer, is a convenient scrap drop-and-collection area for trimmed film, which cuts clean-up times, while a single adjustable height control for the product take-away and tunnel conveyors smoothes product transfer. According to UK agent Friedheim International: “The robust design and use of integrated controls provide improved cost efficiencies due to greater productivity and reduced downtimes as a result of the minimal maintenance needed.”...
read moreNew Audion Elektro shrink wrapper cuts downtime
Two model sizes, the LT 470 and LT 670, combine a heavy duty L-bar sealer and shrink tunnel for packing, sealing and shrinking products. They can be used with a variety of films due to their precise temperature and speed controls, according to the manufacturer. The devices minimise maintenance and eliminate the need for a hot-knife seal bar by incorporating a seal wire temperature control system, providing strong seals and increased life of the wire. Another key feature, according to the manufacturer, is a convenient scrap drop-and-collection area for trimmed film, which cuts clean-up times, while a single adjustable height control for the product take-away and tunnel conveyors smoothes product transfer. According to UK agent Friedheim International: “The robust design and use of integrated controls provide improved cost efficiencies due to greater productivity and reduced downtimes as a result of the minimal maintenance needed.”...
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