• John was previously a Senior Regional Vice President of ARC.

    John began his career in the reprographics industry with Ridgway’s in 1981. As most reprographers know, Ridgway’s was acquired by ARC. In fact, Ridgway’s, to date, was the largest single acquisition completed by ARC. Shortly after that acquisition was completed, ARC went public.

    Congratulations to John on his new position!

  • K.P. Reddy, who, until recently, was Vice President of BIM Services at American Reprographics Co (ARC) has joined Gehry Technologies as its Managing Director.

    For more information about Gehry Technologies, go to…..

    www.gehrytechnologies.com/

    To K.P., best of luck and success with your new position!

  • Recently, we did a couple of different posts about companies who are in the business of acquiring used reprographics equipment in the U.S. for export overseas.

    Here’s yet another company seeking used wide-format reprographics equipment for export:

    Wide Format Engines,Inc
    International Distributor – Engineering Reprographics Equipment
    www.wideformatengines.com
    949.290.1549
    30 Years of Industry Experience….
    We wouldn’t do it if we couldn’t do it RIGHT!

    Contact Harry McPartland at the phone number above or at hmcpartland@cox.net


  • On Monday October 25, 2010, we did a post on the blog about Scott Butikis (Assoc. AIA) joining ABC Imaging as its “Director of Document Solutions”.

    I just noticed on LinkedIn that Scott is now a “project executive” with Bertino & Associates. So, it looks like he’s no longer full-time at ABC Imaging. It does say on LinkedIn that he remains a “consultant” to ABC Imaging.

    Per LinkedIn:

    Current:

    -Project Executive at Bertino & Associates, Inc

    Consultant for BPOL-NG Document Solutions/Project Management -AEC at ABC Imaging

    Past:

    · Director of Document Solutions (BPOL-NG) at ABC Imaging

    · President at Source One Development, LLC

    · Associate, Hospitality Business Unit Leader at Cubellis

    · Senior Project Manager at Klai Juba Architects

    · Project Manager at Friedmutter Group

    · Production Manager/Project Manager at Jeffrey M. King Architects L.L.C.

    · Team Leader-Associate at Cubellis

    · Project Manager at Dever Architects

    · Project Manager at The Gibson Tarquini Group


    ·

  • Thursday, January 19, 2012

    Press release from the issuing company

    Business and marketing communications franchisor AlphaGraphics, Inc., formerly owned by the UK-based G A Pindar & Son Ltd., has been purchased by an affiliate of Maryland-based private equity fund Blackstreet Capital Partners II. The transaction closed on January 11, 2012.

    “We’re extremely excited to add the AlphaGraphics brand to our portfolio,” said Blackstreet Capital Managing Director Lawrence Berger. “This is a unique deal for our team; Blackstreet typically purchases underperforming companies. AlphaGraphics, which is healthy and profitable, does not fall into this category. The company has not only weathered some difficult economic times, but continues to lead its industry in average center sales and net center growth.”

    According to Berger, a thorough examination of the Utah-based company’s business model revealed a solid vision and strategy, with franchisees and a management team qualified to execute, which is what drew Blackstreet to AlphaGraphics. “We look forward to supporting this well-positioned brand to a higher level of success through the special relationship that exists between the franchisor and its talented franchisees.”

    Kevin Cushing, CEO of AlphaGraphics added, “We’re grateful for the opportunity to have Blackstreet Capital as our new owners. They have the business experience and track record to help us more efficiently achieve our goal of becoming the leading provider of business and marketing communications to small- and medium-sized businesses. It’s a momentous time for our AlphaGraphics Service Center team, as well as our network of nearly 280 franchise business owners. Their ownership adds stability to our future and ensures that our headquarters remain in Salt Lake City.”

    AlphaGraphics business centers offer a complete range of print, visual communications and marketing products and solutions, including full-service digital, offset and large format printing; design services; mailing and one-to-one marketing services; promotional products and digital archiving.

    For more information about AlphaGraphics, please contact Cassie Salt at 801-595-7254 or visit http://www.alphagraphics.com.

  • 1-18-12 10:35 AM EST – From Dow Jones Newswire

    –Builder confidence rises to highest level since June 2007

    –Increase in NAHB gauge is fourth in a row

    –Index of builder confidence remains historically low

    WASHINGTON — U.S. home builders’ sentiment rose in January to the highest level in 4 1/2 years, the latest in a series of signs that the housing market is finally beginning to recover after a prolonged bust.

    The National Association of Home Builders said Wednesday its housing market index rose to 25 from 21 in December, reaching its highest point since June 2007. It was the fourth-straight monthly increase. The results were better than expected, as economists polled by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast a reading of 22.

    Some analysts see the results, combined with other recent data, as a sign that the U.S. housing market is gradually emerging from a 5 1/2-year bust that helped thrust the economy into the worst recession in decades.

    “This is not another false dawn; it’s the real deal,” said Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics. With mortgage rates hovering near the lowest recorded levels and the job market improving, “people clearly are more willing to take the plunge into housing,” he said.

    Still, despite the recent trend of increases, confidence is low from a historical perspective. A reading above 50 in the NAHB index would mean more builders view conditions as good rather than poor. The gauge hasn’t been in positive territory since April 2006.

    Builders are still concerned that many potential buyers are unable to qualify for a mortgage, foreclosures are continuing to pour onto the market and appraisals of properties are coming in below the construction costs.

    “The next few months will be critical in determining to what degree homebuilders follow their more optimistic talk with action in terms of significant gains in single-family” home construction, said Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at MFR Inc. “We continue to believe that the massive supply overhang of existing homes will present brutal competition to the new home market for the foreseeable future.”

    All three components of the builders’ index increased. Builders’ assessment of traffic from potential buyers and current sales conditions both hit their highest level since June 2007. Their expectations for sales over the next six months rose to the highest point since September 2009.

    “Builders are seeing greater interest among potential buyers as employment and consumer confidence slowly improve in a growing number of markets,” said David Crowe, NAHB’s chief economist.

    The January index was based on a survey of 466 builders. It rose in all four U.S. regions, with the Northeast posting a nine-point gain to 23 from 14 a month earlier. The West had a five-point increase, and the South and Midwest had two and one-point increases, respectively.

    Other recent housing market indicators have also been positive. Last month, the National Association of Realtors said the number of Americans signing contracts to buy existing homes increased in November to the highest level in 19 months. New home sales rose a third straight month during November, but remain well below healthy levels.

    -By Alan Zibel and Jeff Bater, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9263; alan.zibel@ dowjones.com

  • Joel’s comments:

    First of all, I do not consider “Human Capital Officer” and “EEO Director” positions to be “key” management positions at the GPO. It’s not that I don’t value “human resources” people, it’s just that I don’t feel that those positions are as “key” to managing the GPO’s business as are positions that deal with operations-planning, streamlining, cost-cutting, process, outsourcing and delivery issues.

    Secondly, I always find ‘government job descriptions’ to be amusing. I guess this – “Chief Human Capital Officer” – is a somewhat new (and enlightened!) way of referring to a Human Resources Director (which older people, like me, used to refer as the Personnel Manager). Recently, I noticed that the U.S. government no longer hires “office clerks”; “office clerks” are now referred to as “office productivity assistants” Hmmm. Saying “government employee” and “productivity” in the same sentence is, I think, an oxymoron! And, why in the world does the GPO need to have a person (an “EEO Directors) who is responsible for this – “will administer policy and oversight of the EEO program, which includes efforts to ensure equal opportunity in employment throughout the GPO, provide for the equitable resolution of complaints of discrimination, and require compliance with Federal EEO laws, regulations, policy, and program directives.” That position is a complete waste of taxpayer dollars.

    Our government is bloated with bureaucracy, inefficiency and waste. Promote me as the next “Public Printer”, and I promise to slash, cut and burn!

    Okay, here’s the Press Release:

    Acting Public Printer Makes Key Management Appointments

    Wednesday, January 18, 2012

    Press release from the issuing company

    Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks announces the appointment of Lyle Green as Managing Director of Official Journals of Government and Ginger Thomas as Chief Human Capital Officer for the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Green and Thomas each bring decades of Federal Government and private sector experience to their new positions.

    In addition, Juanita Flores, Assistant Director of GPO’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), will serve as Acting EEO Director.



    As Managing Director of Official Journals of Government, Green will oversee the Office of Congressional Publishing Services, the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) Publishing Services, and the Congressional Record Index Office as well overseeing GPO’s Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans. Green came to GPO in 1991 and has held various positions in the Office of Congressional Publishing Services prior to becoming director in 2006. During his time in that office, Green worked closely with the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate to meet the information dissemination needs of Congress and was part of the team in the 1990s that changed the format of viewing and accessing Congressional documents online, making it easier for the public to access and use Congressional information. Prior to coming to GPO, Green spent a decade working as an editor for various publications at associations and private sector companies.

    

As the Chief Human Capital Officer, Ginger Thomas will plan and implement the human resources systems and oversee the policies and procedures that guide GPO’s innovative human resources operation – policies designed specifically to strike a balance of honoring the culture and values of GPO’s rich history while positioning the agency to meet the evolving human capital demands of the future. Thomas has more than 30 years of experience in the Federal Government. She came to GPO in 1999 and has held management positions in GPO’s Customer Services and Human Capital business units. Thomas recently served as Director of Human Capital Operations, where she played a key role in the agency’s workforce planning transformation. Prior to GPO, Thomas held various human resources positions at the National Institutes of Health, Department of the Interior, and the Architect of the Capitol.

    

As Acting Director of the EEO Office, Juanita Flores will administer policy and oversight of the EEO program, which includes efforts to ensure equal opportunity in employment throughout the GPO, provide for the equitable resolution of complaints of discrimination, and require compliance with Federal EEO laws, regulations, policy, and program directives. Flores has three decades of EEO experience in the Federal Government. She joined GPO in 1999 and has served as the Chief of Counseling and Complaints Processing Division and as Assistant Director for EEO where she directed and monitored an efficient complaints process and established affirmative employment strategies that complied with regulatory requirements. Before coming to GPO, Flores held various positions in EEO offices at the Department of the Treasury from 1981-1999.

    “I have had the pleasure of working with Lyle, Ginger, and Juanita in different capacities during our time together at GPO and I am confident that they will do an outstanding job leading their respective units,” said Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks. “Lyle, Ginger, and Juanita have played a critical role in GPO’s internal operations of strengthening our workforce and external operations of meeting the information dissemination needs of Congress and Federal agencies.”



    With 1,900 employees, GPO is the Federal Government’s primary resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government in both digital and tangible formats. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. In addition to publication sales, GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through GPO’s Federal Digital System (www.fdsys.gov) and through partnerships with approximately 1,220 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program.

  • PHOTIZO GROUP WILL BE HOLDING ITS MPS CONFERENCE – “TRANSFORM 2012” – IN ORLANDO THIS COMING MAY

    For those of you who are interested in learning “how to” get into the MPS business, this conference might offer you an excellent learning experience. I noticed that Photizo Group will be offering two different “workshops”, one for beginners and one for more advanced MPS providers:

    FUNDAMENTAL PROVIDER WORKSHOP AGENDA:

    Management in basic to moderate programs with less than 2 years experience providing MPS services

    · Learn effective ways to identify ideal MPS prospects

    · Evaluating your technology and personnel investments

    · Creating a sustainable MPS framework

    · The MPS exchange; round table discussions about challenges and successes with your peers

    ADVANCED PROVIDER WORKSHOP AGENDA:

    Management in moderate to advanced programs with at least 2 years experience providing MPS services

    Go to the link below to learn more about the Agenda for this advanced workshop.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THESE WORKSHOPS and about TRANSFORM 2012 – CLICK ON THIS LINK:

    http://www.photizogroup.com/global2012/category/workshops/

  • Architecture Billings Index Positive for Second Straight Month

    All regions except for the West showing improved demand for design services

    For immediate release: Washington, D.C. – January 18, 2012 –

    After showing struggling business conditions for most of 2011, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has now reached positive terrain in consecutive months.

    As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.

    The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the December ABI score was 52.0, following the exact same mark in November. This score reflects an overall increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).

    The new projects inquiry index was 64.0, down just a point from a reading of 65.0 the previous month. 


    “We saw nearly identical conditions in November and December of 2010 only to see momentum sputter and billings fall into negative territory as we moved through 2011, so it’s too early to be sure that we are in a full recovery mode,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA.

    “Nevertheless, this is very good news for the design and construction industry and it’s entirely possible conditions will slowly continue to improve as the year progresses.” 


    Key December ABI highlights:

    – – Regional averages: South (54.2), Midwest (53.1), Northeast (52.6), West (45.1)

    – – Sector index breakdown: multi-family residential (54.3), commercial / industrial (54.1), institutional (51.3), mixed practice (44.5)

    – – Project inquiries index: 64.0

    The regional and sector categories are calculated as a 3-month moving average, whereas the index and inquiries are monthly numbers.

    About the AIA Architecture Billings Index
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), produced by the AIA Economics & Market Research Group, is a leading economic indicator that provides an approximately nine to twelve month glimpse into the future of nonresidential construction spending activity. The diffusion indexes contained in the full report are derived from a monthly “Work-on-the-Boards” survey that is sent to a panel of AIA member-owned firms. Participants are asked whether their billings increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the month that just ended as compared to the prior month, and the results are then compiled into the ABI. These monthly results are also seasonally adjusted to allow for comparison to prior months. The monthly ABI index scores are centered around 50, with scores above 50 indicating an aggregate increase in billings, and scores below 50 indicating a decline. The regional and sector data are formulated using a three-month moving average. More information on the ABI and the analysis of its relationship to construction activity can be found in the White Paper Architecture Billings as a Leading Indicator of Construction: Analysis of the Relationship Between a Billings Index and Construction Spending on the AIA web site.

    Current and previous recent AIA ABI Index readings:

    52.0 – December 2011

    52.0 – November 2011

    49.4 – October 2011

    46.9 – September 2011

    51.4 – August 2011

    45.1 – July 2011

    46.3 – June 2011

    47.2 – May 2011

    47.6 – April 2011

    50.5 – March 2011

    50.6 – February 2011

    50.0 – January 2011

    54.2 – December 2010

    52.0 – November 2010

    48.7 – October 2010

    50.4 – September 2010