Mercury Print Productions Cuts Ribbon on New KODAK PROSPER 5000XL Press; Investment Expected to Add 40 New Jobs Over Three Years

Antonio M. Perez, chairman and CEO of Eastman Kodak Company, and John Place, president and CEO of Mercury Print Productions, joined together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of Mercury's new digital inkjet KODAK PROSPER 5000XL Press. The investment is expected to create 40 new jobs at Mercury over the next three years. Mercury is the first Rochester company to install a KODAK PROSPER Press, utilizing Kodak's revolutionary Stream Inkjet Technology, which was developed in Dayton, Ohio and Rochester. The installation of this new technology greatly increases Mercury's ability to produce short-run books in color and will serve as the cornerstone of its digital book operation.

"As the nature of book publishing changes, our customers are looking to us to help them reduce overhead costs such as inventory and distribution," said Place. "Digital printing offers numerous advantages in these areas, and the innovative technology behind the KODAK PROSPER 5000XL Press makes it easier for us to meet customer demands today and well into the future."

The PROSPER 5000XL Press installation at Mercury also will serve as a demonstration site for Kodak as well as book publishers looking to transform their businesses. Mercury's investment is expected to retain 81 jobs and add 40 new jobs over a three-year period in the greater Rochester area. Empire State Development awarded a $250,000 capital grant to support Mercury's efforts, which will be distributed as the company reaches its investment and employment targets.

"Mercury is a great example of an innovative business that is embracing transformational technology to drive success and growth," added Perez. "The company understands the market and is taking a leadership position in providing cutting edge solutions for its customers. The PROSPER 5000XL Press represents exciting opportunities for Mercury as well as for the surrounding community, because a growing business means more security and new jobs."

The comprehensive book system featuring the KODAK PROSPER Press is augmented by the LASERMAX ROLL Systems Wide Unwind & Rewind units. The finishing lines feature the Stack 2230 Systems that, via a SHUTTLEWORTH Conveyer, feed the MULLER MARTINI Sigma Binder system.

Mercury Print Productions is a state-of-the-art offset sheetfed commercial printer complemented by a full-service on-demand digital print workflow, in-house bindery capabilities, a digital print book division, an electronic media solutions division, fulfillment and warehousing. For more information, visit Mercury Print Productions' website.