Industry Eye

Quebecor to Shutter Two Catalog Printing Plants

Catalog printer Quebecor World announced in November it would close two catalog printing facilities in 2007. The closures are part of an overall restructuring plan and will eliminate about 400 jobs next year.

The company will shut down a printing facility in Elk Grove Village, Ill., and a bindery facility in Bensenville, Ill., during the first quarter. Quebecor expects to create 75 positions at its other facilities to accommodate additional volume. As part of the restructuring, the printer will invest in new press and bindery equipment.

People on the Move

The Sharper Image: Jerry Levin has been appointed chairman and interim CEO for this multichannel gadget merchant. Having previously served in executive roles at American Household, Revlon and The Coleman Co., he replaces founder Richard Thalheimer, who was ousted by the board of directors in late September. Thalheimer, however, has retained a seat on the board. Levin also has assumed the duties of Tracy Wan, president and COO, who has resigned. Daniel Nelson, SVP, controller and principal accounting officer, has assumed the CFO position, replacing Jeff Forgan, who also has resigned.

Astral Brands: Phil Minix has been hired as president of Astral Direct, the home décor, accessories and gift subsidiary of this multi-title cataloger. Formerly the SVP of catalog and tours marketing for Reiman Publications, Minix oversees The Music Stand, Linda Anderson and Characters catalogs.

Benchmark Brands: John Caplinger has been appointed director of customer care for this multichannel lower body health products merchant, in charge of the company’s in-house customer contact center.

Catalogers’ Updates

Launches
u Multi-title catalog company Redcats USA launched in November OneStopPlus.com, a mul-tibranded Web site that combines its four plus-size apparel brands, including Woman Within, Roaman’s, Jessica London and KingSize. The site allows users to shop with one login, one shopping cart and a broader product assortment.

Rebranding
u Multichannel special sizes apparel merchant Lane Bryant, which is owned by multi-title merchant Charming Shoppes and licensed by catalog giant Redcats USA, in October changed the name of its catalog to Woman Within.