Chancellor Gordon Brown has rewarded two printing industry companies that have highlighted the economic importance of the UKs inner cities.

Muller Martini has launched what it claims is the worlds first fully automatic saddlestitcher in the 12,000cph class.

Documedia has bought Slough-based wide-format printer The Fingerprint Group.

Studio Box, the Reading-based software company, has developed a system that removes the need for a computer operator and generates PDFs straight from a database.

Nipson is to install its first press in the UK since it was bought from creditor protection following problems at former parent Xeikon.

Canon has restructured its commercial print division, and contends it is still focused on the sector.

Heidelberg is to cut 2,200 jobs and concentrate the production of the NexPress digital colour press at Rochester in the USA in a move to make 130m (EUR200m) of annual savings.

Scitex Digital Printing (SDP) has tested the newspaper industrys desire for remotely printed digital colour newspapers at Ifra.

Heidelberg has signalled its intention to become a major player in the newspaper market with the purchase of Swedish mailroom specialist IDAB WAMAC, announced at Ifra in Barcelona this week.

Pindars Scarborough web offset facility has printed Harley-Davidsons flagship genuine parts and accessories catalogue for 2003 using its new 48pp MAN Roland Lithoman press.