Advanced Vision Technology Ltd. purchased Graphic Microsystems Inc. while Smith RPM Corp. acquired pressroom supplier Pressroom Products Inc. as industry consolidation continues. Israel-based AVT, which makes automated print inspection systems, acquired closed-loop color vendor GMI for a reported $33 million in cash in a transaction expected to close in September. Smith RPM, meantime, said it will move PPI’s operations to its Lenexa, Kan., headquarters, although direct sales activities will remain in the Chicago area.

NAA/Ifra Technical Solutions LLC, the training venture created by the Newspaper Association of America and Ifra in 2003, closed its doors following a decision by the two organizations to end the partnership governing the initiative.

Acutech LLC said it wrapped up EPB punch bending and no-tool lockup installations at a number of papers, including The Greenville (S.C.) News and the Chronicle-Telegram in Elyria, Ohio. The firm also installed punch-bending equipment for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss., The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and California Community News in Irwindale. Acutech said it’s completed web-width reduction projects for more than 32 papers that have cut down to 46 or 48 inches, including The Columbus Dispatch.

Dow Jones’ $30 million project to add color to its presses remains on track in the wake of the pending acquisition of the publisher by News Corp. Work is currently under way at Dow Jones’ U.S. plants to boost the color capacity of its Goss International Corp. and TKS (USA) presses by 17 percent. That will enable Dow Jones to print up to 168 color pages a week in an effort to meet growing advertiser demands.

The Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal tapped ABB to upgrade controls on its Mitsubishi Heavy Industries press.  The paper will add unit and folder controls as well as five MPS Production control consoles to replace obsolete systems now powering the machine, according to Frank Clayton, production manager. The Journal installed the 9-unit press in 1994. ABB said the project, which will also allow the press to communicate with upstream and downstream systems, will begin in September and be completed in late 2008.

Gannett Co. Inc. said it is rolling out customer relationship management software from Relationals across 45 newspapers and 1,100 users to streamline its sales operations.

One year ago

The Denver Newspaper Agency buys five Trendsetter News 200 thermal computer-to-plate systems and associated plates from Kodak to anchor its prepress.

Five years ago

Trafford Park Printers in Manchester, England, begins installing two Mainstream 80 presses from Heidelberg.

10 years ago

The MediaNews Group centralizes its online operation, creating a Denver office to oversee Web efforts of 30 newspapers.

15 years ago

The Newspaper Association of American formally changes the ANPA/TEC trade show to Nexpo.