Industry Companies

The Jehovah's Witnesses has placed an order for seven Lithoman presses from MAN Roland, the religious organization's largest order to date from the press manufacturer. Two presses will be installed at the group's facilities in the U.S., while sites in Brazil, England, Japan, Mexico, and South Africa will receive one machine each.

Banta Corporation announced that it will undergo a restructuring plan, including a consolidation of its consumer catalog group. Banta said it will close its catalog plant in St. Paul, Minn., and consolidate catalog productions at other facilities. The restructuring plan is expected to generate savings of $8 million to $10 million in 2004.

Valassis has acquired coupon processing and promotion information management company NCH Marketing Services, Inc. for $60 million in cash.

Publishing giant Reuters has announced that, due to continued financial losses and an expected 9% loss in sales for the first half of the year, it will eliminate 3,000 jobs. The job cuts, which follow a previous 3,200 layoffs seen over the past two years, are part of a new strategy to revive the company.

Prism USA announced that it plans a major North American expansion, doubling the size of its Plymouth, Mass.-based headquarters, and adding personnel in engineering, training, development, and sales.

Scholastic Corporation has announced that, in June, it plans to initially print 6.8 million copies of the fifth Harry Potter book, entitled Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, representing the largest initial printing of a general-interest hardcover book in the U.S.

Tech Services International (TSI) has entered an agreement with Presstek, Inc. to provide support, installation and spare parts distribution for the latter's Dimension series of computer-to-plate imaging systems. TSI will be the sole authorized service and support provider for the Dimension line in North America.