    |
By Kevin Keane, IAPHC CEO Retro Rupiah, or Pulp Fiction? As long time readers of Tuesday Morning News (TMN) are aware, we monitor all kinds of magazines and newspapers and clipping services looking for tidbits about the graphic arts industry. Rarely do two such sources agree. However, the June issue of Bloomberg Personal Finance and Worth magazines both endorse the prospects for Asia Pulp and Paper Company, Ltd., a Singapore based concern. Bloomberg: "Asia Pulp and Paper's products include photocopier paper, stationery, carbonless paper and tissue paper products. After reaching a high of $17 in 1997, the company's ADRs (American Depository Receipts) dropped to about $9 in January before rebounding to $14 in late March. Robert Spina, Morgan Stanley's senior vice president of investments, says that the price should hit $22 within the next 18 months. 'They saw the problems in Asia and moved their marketing and sales to Europe and the US.' With about two-thirds of its costs denominated in rupiahs, Asia Pulp and Paper actually benefitted from the currency's devaluation. Total production costs fell, giving the company an advantage in its operating margins." And in Worth: "After a 47% fall last September, shares in this Singapore based company have rebounded. The company remains one of the world's lowest- cost producers of pulp and paper. An aggressive expansion plan into China and benefits from the Indonesian currency devaluation have strengthened its competitive position." The stock closed on Monday May 11 at $13.00. Meanwhile Ralph Acampora, Chief Technical Analyst for Prudential Securities has issued a buy recommendation for the stock of International Paper. Theatre of the iMac Last Wednesday, Apple Computer unveiled its new computer aimed at the consumer market. The iMac is an all-in-one system, with a rumoured price of $1,299 US. It will be available in 90 days and will have a 233 mh PowerPC chip, with 32 megabytes of memory, a 4 gigabyte hard drive, and a built-in CD ROM and speakers. But it has no floppy drive. It was this last point that caught our attention. No floppy drive. And some people think things aren't changing. The Digidance Drums On More from the treasure trove of online info about Graphic Arts suppliers: Danka Business Systems PLC: "The 8% increase in equipment sales for the fourth quarter was highlighted by strong digital product sales in the Americas high volume segments. As the industry transitions to a digital environment, our customers are increasingly adding digital products to their document management needs. As a percentage of core copier equipment sales, digital products sold by the Company in the US represent approximately 12%, increasing from about 7% last year." Scitex Corporation Ltd: "The digital printing business, includes Scitex Digital Printing, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio; the recently acquired Idanit wide format digital printing business; and the print-on demand systems division which produces digital front ends. The development of the Karat 74 digital offset press is also included in this business line. Total revenues from Digital Printing Products were $45 million, an increase of 10% over the previous year." Indigo NV: said its revenues increased 73% in the first quarter of 1998, and its net loss per share was reduced to $0.07 compared to $0.39 per share a year ago. Presstek: the firm has established a toll free information line at 888-627-6777. This month's message is interesting in terms of the effect of diminished orders for Presstek Imaging kits from Heidelberg for its QuickMaster DI presses. Xeikon N.V.: This morning at a press conference in London, England, Xeikon announced a new version of its DCP press intended for packaging applications as well as two other intriguing new initiatives. The Print for Volume rewards program is aimed at increasing run lengths by reducing the cost per printed page by reducing consumables costs. This program commences in July and is intended to make Xeikon output cost competitive against offset. (Short run color printing becomes long run?) The other program is free software aimed at graphic designers in order to educate them as to the benefits of variable printing. The free software tool, which includes a fully interactive tutorial is called Private-I and will be downloadable from Xeikon's website at www.xeikon.be Put your ear against the iron ribbons, the digital engine is coming and it can't be stopped. More from TrendWatch We found this item from our friends at TrendWatch to be worth a rumination: "The definition of a printer is changing as prepress houses buy different types of printing equipment. Since there's no strong need for on-press proofing anymore, this is revenue generating equipment that shops are buying! As evidence, trade shops, not printers, are responsible for buying: 6% of all purchases of metal direct-to-plate equipment 6% of all purchases of 6-8 color sheetfed presses 3% of all purchases of other multi-color sheetfed presses. Prepress houses (an equipment savvy segment) have very different behavior characteristics than the 'traditional' printing segments. They're buying many products at 2x and 3x the rate that their demographics would imply."
|
||||||||||||
 |
|
Home |
Site Index |
About the IAPHC |
Member Services |
Club Directory |
Events Tuesday News | Gallery | Internet Tips | Industry Links | Membership Info |
Tuesday Morning News is made possible through the sponsorship of Heidelberg. Click on the Heidelberg logo to visit their website. Membership inquiries: membership@iaphc.org Head Office: headquarters@iaphc.org or toll free 800/466-4274 Website Administration: webmaster@iaphc.org |
 |
