Business

US printers had a sharp drop in first quarter profits despite a modest rise in sales revenues, the Semper International survey for Q1 2013 has found.

Communications firm Corporate Document Services (CDS) has won the reprographics, digital print and print management contract for the London Borough of Sutton for the third time.

Foster City, CA-based EFI cited strong US sales as well as continued demand for its Fiery controllers as it reported Q1 income of $8.2m (Q1 2012: $6.2m) on a 7% revenue rise to $171.4m.

Xerox cited weakness in its Document Technology business, which includes the iGen commercial press line, as it reported Q1 sales declined by 2.7% over the same period in 2012 to $5.4bn.

Busch Graphic Machinery UK is celebrating a bumper first quarter, selling more machines at the start of 2013 than the two previous years combined.

Benson Gateshead has invested in coating plate production equipment in a move away from outsourcing to reduce processing time and expand the variety of coating designs on offer.

Leicestershire-based Frip Finishing installed a second Bobst BMA 126 foiler into its Hinkley site recently, as part of a long term investment strategy.

Swiss CTP system manufacturer Luscher has gone bankrupt.

The BPIF is to compile a report on a two-year project, backed by the European Commission which aimed to encourage more SMEs to take up the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

Book printer TJ International has expanded its laminating services with a new Komfi Amiga 52 in the latest stages of its 750,000 investment programme.