Signs of the Times - April 2012 - (Page 84)

INDUSTRY NEWS Noteworthy BMG, Kodak Sign Licensing Agreement Brand Management Group (BMG; Sarasota, FL) has announced a trademark licensing agreement with Kodak. BMG will sell Kodak products, including new inkjetmedia products, which are scheduled to launch throughout the year. The agreement involves Kodak’s wide-format, inkjet-media portfolio, but not its MatchPrint inkjet-proofing media, Professional UV-curable display media or Consumer inkjet media. Industry news should be sent to signs@stmediagroup.com. Nazdar Celebrates 90th Anniversary Nazdar (Shawnee, KS) is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Founded in Chicago, the company was initially a screenprinting-ink manufacturer. Through research, development and the acquisitions of companies – including KC Coatings (1982) and Advance Process Supply Co. (ink and supply division; 1993) – the company grew and expanded. Today, the company’s divisions include Nazdar Ink Technologies (specialty inks), Nazdar SourceOne (distribution) and Nazdar Consulting Services. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrall Enterprises Inc. Nazdar is also welcoming Mary Strafuss and Glenn Schull, who recently joined the company as product managers for graphic inks and digital equipment, respectively. Strafuss will manage the company’s screen inks and Lyson digital-ink products in this role, as well as conducting market research and developing support materials. Schull will be responsible for conducting market analyses, and brings nearly three decades of marketing and sales Schull Strafuss experience to his new role. NCCCO to Allow Calculators on Exams The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) has announced that calculators will be allowed on some of its national exams, effective July 2, 2012. The commission says recent research showed that use of calculators for load-chart calculations – but not basic math questions – would not impact the test’s ability to identify qualified candidates. Mutoh ValueJet Status Monitor Mutoh America Inc. (Phoenix) has introduced a status monitor for its ValueJet print machines. The software, free to existing customers, can be used to monitor ink levels, heater settings, firmware updates, color output and more, the company says. NY) as a platinum patron. The SGPP is a nonprofit that offers sustainability certification to members of the graphic-communications industry. USSC Honors Wilcox The United States Sign Council (Bristol, PA) has honored Neal Wilcox (National Wholesale Signs; Tonawanda, NY) for distinguished service. Wilcox has been involved with the USSC for decades, and the council says it’s especially thankful for his help fabricating and installing signage for research projects organized by the USSC. EFI Reaches NASDAQ Milestone EFI™ (Foster City, CA) celebrated 20 years on the NASDAQ index by ringing the opening bell in Times Square recently. Company executives wore sneakers with their suits in support of Coaches vs. Cancer®, a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Assn. of Basketball Coaches. 3M Joins SGGP as Platinum Patron 3M Commercial Graphics (St. Paul, MN) has joined the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (Bohemia, ISA, NASSD Form Partnership The Intl. Sign Assn. (Alexandria, VA) and National Assn. of Sign Supply Distributors (Baltimore) have partnered with plans to jointly promote and host industry events and share management personnel. ISA’s vice president of trade shows and marketing, Brandon Hensley, will become NASSD’s executive director while continuing his duties with the ISA. The two associations will retain their separate identities, but the NASSD will incorporate its annual, spring meeting with ISA’s Suppliers and Distributors Conference ( June 6-8; Itasca, IL). 84 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / APRIL 2012 / www.signweb.com Agfa Promotes Sause Agfa Graphics (Elmwood Park, NJ) has promoted Jim Sause to executive vice president of sales and marketing. In this position, Sause will oversee U.S. sales. He brings 25 years of experience in graphic communications to the position. He previously served as executive vice president of business development and marketing for Agfa, as well as president of the Pitman Co. http://www.signweb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - April 2012

Signs of the Times - April 2012
Contents
ST Update
Technology Update
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Electric
LED Update
Technology Review
Software Update
Sign Museum News
New Products
Times Square Update
That Sign is Fine (Art?)
Victory at Yorktown
Temporary, with Permanent Appeal
The Value of Signs
Anatomy of an M&A Failure
Industry News
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking

Signs of the Times - April 2012