Bobst Group North America

Company: Heidelberg, www.us.heidelberg.com Product: Diana X 115 What is it?: Heidelberg’s new Diana X 115 folder/gluer features an open-frame design and modularity that allows customization for folding carton converters. Features: • From the prefolder to the folding station, all upper and lower roller bars, including the center carrier, are integrated into the AutoSet system for fully automatic make-ready • With the turning module, speciality cartons can now be folded and glued in one pass • The modularity of Diana X 115 allows for a tailor-made configuration for processing a virtually unlimited range of folding cartons • Precise and reliable processing of complex blanks •

On March 31, 2008, following a thorough due diligence process and the approval by the German Federal Cartel Office, Bobst Group completed the acquisition of 100 percent of the Fischer & Krecke Group, in Germany. This acquisition is in line with the Bobst Group strategy to expand its operations in the flexible materials market worldwide and to strengthen its presence in the flexographic printing area. The one-time costs to integrate Fischer & Krecke’s operations will lead to a slightly negative operating profit for the Flexible Materials Business Area in 2008. In 2009, the operating profit is expected to return again to positive figures. The

GENT (Belgium)—EskoArtwork will present a fully integrated end-to-end JDF workflow solution for packaging production at drupa 2008. The company will be cooperating with Dr. Lauterbach & Partner (SAP Business Partner), MAN Roland and Bobst S.A. as well as Limmatdruck Zeiler AG and Migros to implement an innovative solution for process automation and control. The new solution incorporates all steps in folding carton production, from idea through to delivery. The JDF workflow and its fully digital data transfer enable streamlined and efficient communication of production-critical data across the supply chain. Previously manual processes and data transfers are now made redundant through the integration of all

ROSELAND, N.J.—Bobst Group North America has set the dates for Direction ‘08, the Folding Carton group’s Open House. “We’ve chosen the dates of October 2-7th, 2008 to host Direction ‘08,” says Chris Raney, vice president of Folding Cartons for Bobst Group North America. “It maintains our schedule without posing any conflict to the DRUPA exhibition. It will also provide an opportunity for those who may not have had been able to visit the DRUPA exhibition to experience first-hand some of our latest diecutting, folding and gluing, and foil stamping technologies.” The Direction ’08 Open House will also, as it has in previous Direction events,

The Foil Stamping and Embossing Association (FSEA) will ‘Pop It With Foil’ when the organization holds its 2008 National Convention April 10-12 at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas in Scottsdale, Ariz. The convention offers a supplier trade fair, educational programming to address trends in the industry, and an awards banquet where the best of the industry will be honored. The supplier trade fair and welcome reception will kick off the convention, offering attendees the opportunity to discover what’s new from industry suppliers, network with peers, and sample regional fare. General sessions on Friday morning will commence with PIA Executive Director Michael Makin in

CLAYTON, N.C.—Folding carton manufacturer Colonial Carton recently purchased a new Bobst Alpina II 75-A2 folder/gluer. This is the third Alpina folder/gluer Colonial has added to its full-service folding carton facility in the past two years. In addition to many other productivity enhancing features, including a Cartonpack GT, Colonial’s newest Alpina II will be the first in the US configured with the Bobst AccuBraille rotary Braille embossing system. “We are continually looking for ways to improve our efficiencies, control costs for our customers and provide quality products and services that not only meet, but exceed expectations,” says Joe Elphick, owner of Colonial Carton. “Our latest

NILES, Ill.—Graphic Technologies, a leading finisher to the graphic arts industry, and second largest in the US, recently installed a second Bobst SPanthera 106-LER Autoplaten diecutter (with in-line blanking) to their metropolitan Chicago operation. This installation comes just three months after the installation of their first. This is the newest addition to their growing equipment list which now includes over 15 diecutters and foil stamping and embossing presses. In addition, Graphic Technologies offers a full compliment of finishing capabilities including folding, folding–gluing, laminating, kitting, in-house tool production and a full structural design lab. The new installation further enhances the company’s ability to efficiently convert

CLAYTON, N.C.—Folding carton manufacturer Colonial Carton recently purchased a new Bobst Alpina II 75-A2 Folder-Gluer. This is the third Alpina foldergluer Colonial has added to their full service folding carton facility in the past two years. In addition to many other productivity enhancing features, including a Cartonpack GT, Colonial’s newest Alpina II will be the first in the US configured with the Bobst AccuBraille rotary Braille embossing system. “We are continually looking for ways to improve our efficiencies, control costs for our customers and provide quality products and services that not only meet, but exceed expectations,” says Joe Elphick, owner of Colonial Carton. “Our

ROSELAND, N.J.—Alex Gigon, director of customer service and support operations for Bobst Group North America has announced that InTouch, the company’s online system for parts has now exceeded $25 million in sales. Begun as a small-scale test project in mid 2005, utilization of InTouch has mushroomed to the point where nearly a third of Bobst customers in North America use it routinely. Alex Gigon explains, “Once a customer has signed up for InTouch, and has 24/7/365 access to our parts inventory, there’s little reason for them to ever want to go back to the old way.” The InTouch system allows registered users to check

ROSELAND, N.J.—Bobst Group North America has announced that InTouch will be available to Bobst customers in Canada. Launched in 2005 in the United States, InTouch provides customers a means to check parts availability, receive instant pricing, order parts, and track parts orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Canadian version of InTouch automatically performs currency conversion and is bi-lingual, offering full French text in addition to English. “The response of customers in the U.S. has been phenomenal,” says Alex Gigon, director of customer service and support operations for Bobst Group NA. “Practically everyone that has been introduced to it has taken