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Canadian Bank Note Purchases Unicom Graphics

Canadian Bank Note Company, based in Ottawa, Ont., has acquired commerical printer Unicom Graphics of Calgary. Unicom is to be integrated into CBN’s McAra Printing division, also of Calgary. The merged operation is currently being referred to as McAra Unicom.

“By combining the complementary strengths of two leading Calgary-based commercial printers, we have created a single exceptional print solutions provider,” said Ronald Arends, President and CEO of Canadian Bank Note (CBN). “[We are] committed to providing McAra Unicom investment and technical support to successfully grow the business.”

Over the past six years, CBN has invested more than $10 million in printing technology alone for its McAra operation, including the December 2013 installation of a new Heidelberg XL106 10P+UV sheetfed press. Weighing around 112 tons and measuring 75 feet in length, this was the first press of its kind to be installed in Canada.

The 41-inch Heidelberg perfecting press is able to run both conventional and UV inks at up to 15,000 sheets per hour (straight or perfecting). Among a raft of modern features, the press includes automatic plate loading and Heidelberg’s Hycolor inking and dampening system, as well as two inline spectrophotometers to inspect every sheet produced on the press.

Based out of a 45,000-square-foot facility, McAra in 2011 installed what was Calgary’s largest solar array when 48 solar modules on its rooftop. These 48 photovoltaic modules hold an electrical generating capability of 11,280 watts.

“CBN is a strong parent company,” said Dean McElhinney, General Manager, Unicom Graphics. “McAra Unicom is now well positioned to be the leading print solutions provider in Calgary.”

The Unicom purchase provides CBN with further lithographic assets, including UV technology, as well as digital print and wide format services, finishing (binding, foiling and embossing), direct mail and fulfillment.

“Merging our two operations with strong business ethics, complementary capabilities and deep technical knowledge will significantly strengthen and extend our capabilities,” said Rodger Grant, General Manager, McAra Printing.

Established in 1897, Canadian Bank Note now has 10 locations worldwide with over 1,400 employees. The company provides integrated hardware, software, print, and systems services to organizations and governments in Canada and throughout the world. CBN focuses its security applications into four primary markets; Payment, Identification, Lottery and Shareholder Services including commercial print.