SEPTEMBER 2012

Quite An Exciting Year For Graphic Associates Inc.
Graphic Associates Inc., in Dallas, Texas, states it has had quite the exciting year thus far! In January they added a valuable asset to their team, new Office Manager Leigh Anne Wright. Leigh Anne has over 25 years of experience in the printing industry and has fit right in with the printing supply side. Graphic Associates certainly values experience with over two-thirds of our employees having 20+ years of experience in every area of printing.


In March of this year, Graphic Associates Inc. celebrated 30 years of being in business! Patrick Pope, President and CEO, says "Searching for and finding new products and technologies has allowed us to keep our customers abreast of the ever-changing printing industry. We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service possible - and that means servicing and educating."


In June, Graphic Associates hosted their 3rd annual Customer Appreciation Open House with over 10 vendor sponsors and representatives and 120 customers attending. The new Marketing Director, Tori Shirah has been working on increasing the online presence as well. Tori commented, "People want to be able to find you within their social media sites. If you don't have a Facebook page or Twitter account - it's almost as if you don't exist to some people. We want to be able to communicate with our customers in any way we can, and social media is the new vehicle to do that." While this year has been exciting for Graphic Associates, Inc., they say they are looking forward to the future and being able to celebrate another 30 years.

Reprint permission granted for Spicers news below. More at www.graphicdisplayworld.com.

PaperlinX Restructures
In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange on June 26, PaperlinX announced a range of initiatives marking the conclusion of its Strategic Review. These plans, in conjunction with the Group's restructuring program which commenced July 2011, are expected to provide a platform for a return to operating profitability.

PaperlinX has entered into an agreement to sell its US operations - Spicers USA and Kelly Paper, to Central National-Gottesman Inc for US$76MM. Dave Allen, PaperlinX Executive Vice President - Region EU2 says: "This announcement is a positive development. The latest proposals signal PaperlinX's commitment to meeting the challenge of the continued worldwide decline in demand for paper head on and to continually look to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations, in order to best meet its customers' changing business needs."

"Right sizing the business to ensure our long-term sustainability and profitability, whilst maintaining great customer service is our highest priority," says Mr Allen. "Given the continued uncertainty of the global paper markets, growing our diversified business and cost reduction are our most important initiatives." He continued with, "Over the past twelve months, we have maintained the largest share in our core market and accelerated growth within our Sign & Display, Digital and Packaging businesses. Our continued commitment to further build on our strengths and create an infrastructure that's future-proof whilst continuing to deliver a consistent high quality service to our customers, will ensure that we remain ahead of the game."

SourceOne New Hire
Rob Coleman has joined Nazdar SourceOne in the United States as segment marketing manager for Textile Screen Inks responsible for developing and managing Nazdar SourceOne's textile screen ink product portfolio by providing strategic direction and product focus.

Mr. Coleman brings over 20 years of industry related marketing and sales expertise to Nazdar SourceOne and most recently was a sales manager for PolyOne Wilflex.

Advantage Sign Supply Releases New Traffic Sign Products
Advantage Sign Supply is excited to announce to us their NEW product line of traffic signs.

Advantage now offers pre-made traffic signs that are in stock and ready to ship. The traffic signs come in four main categories: Parking - Offering signs such as: No Parking, Reserved Parking, Visitor Parking, Customer Parking, Fire Lane, Park at your own risk, etc. Public - Offering signs such as: Exit Only, Neighborhood Crime Watch, No Loitering, No Trespassing, Warning, Private Property, etc. Traffic - Offering signs such as: Caution, Do Not Enter, No Thru Traffic, One Way, Private Road, School Bus Stop, Slow Down, Speed Limit, Stop, etc. Blanks - Blank signs offered in different sizes with or without a border.

Wensco Sign Supply Acquires NM Sign Supply
Wensco Sign Supply announces the acquisition of NM Sign Supply in Elmhurst, Illinois. The acquisition extends the Wensco service area to Illinois and Wisconsin as well as Metro Chicago.


"The combined depth of the Wensco and NM Sign Supply product lines further enhance Wensco's ability to service the sign, screen and graphic arts trade. We understand well the important role Wensco plays in delivering the quality products our customers need when they need them" says Judy Nelson, CEO of Wensco. In this role, Gentile assists clients in creating cost control strategies in regards to their document solutions needs.

As part of the acquisition NM Sign Supply will remain where they are, but will relocate in the near future. The relocation will include the expansion of the Chicago distribution center to 25,000 sq. ft., increased inventory levels, new product lines, and a fleet of delivery vehicles and staff to better serve customers in the upper Midwest. The current NM Sign Supply staff will be retained by Wensco.


About Wensco Sign Supply: Wensco Sign Supply is a full line wholesale distributor, serving the sign, screen, graphic arts and display industry since 1937. Headquartered in Grand Rapids Michigan, and owned by the 3rd generation of the Eggleston family, Wensco operates four distribution centers including Grand Rapids, Michigan, Livonia, Michigan, Davenport, Iowa and Chicago, Illinois.

Photo Caption Center - Judy Nelson, CEO. To her left - Ben VanHouten, Account Executive. Rick Manshaem, Dir. of Purchasing. Cory Hager, Dir. of IT and Development. To her right, DuWayne Heilman, Controller. Far right Jim Redmer, Dir. of Sales/Marketing.

Lindsay Ortmeier Joins Nazdar SourceOne Business Development Team
Nazdar SourceOne has announced that Lindsay Ortmeier has joined the company's marketing team as a Business Development Specialist. In this role, Lindsay will be responsible for interacting with new customers and introducing them to the products and resources SourceOne offers to their business.

Sharp Copier Division Will Not Be Sold
Chip Miceli, President of Des Plaines Office Equipment and President of the National Trade Association Select Dealer Group, today said he believes equipment manufacturer Sharp will not sell off its copier division, as has been rumored.

Miceli, who is a member of the Sharp Dealer Advisory Council, recently returned to the Chicago area after a weeklong Sharp dealer incentive trip to Budapest and Prague, where part of the agenda included meeting with top Sharp officials. Miceli said, based on what he saw and heard on the trip, the Sharp copier division will not be sold.

Sharp in recent weeks has had to combat some press rumors that they were planning to sell off their copier division fueled by reports that the company's revenues were down. According to Miceli, Sharp officials acknowledged to a drop in revenue in specific divisions of the company, including TV and solar panels, but stated the copier division is profitable.

A Reuters news story this week noted Sharp's stock surged, climbing 7 percent with analysts noting the company has made dramatic restructuring plans. Sharp's shares have risen 27.7 percent since August 22, according to the report, although it is still down 66 percent for the year.

New Equipment Specialist Joins Nazdar SourceOne
Nazdar SourceOne has announced that Don Alger has joined the company as a Digital Equipment Specialist in the Southeast Region. In this role, Don will be responsible for serving the sales and service needs of regional graphic and wide format digital imaging companies.

DC