SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – Artisan Colour, founded by a trio of print professionals in 1998, is positioning itself for expansion with the recent addition of Director of Digital Printing Alan Ludington.

To complement Ludington’s hiring, Artisan Colour is also investing in key areas to provide specialty print solutions for mid-size companies to Fortune 500 organizations. The decision to add to the leadership team was, in part, due to the demand of the expanding business.

A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Ludington has held leadership positions in professional printing operations throughout the West and Pacific Northwest. Most recently he led Premier Press in Portland, Oregon, as the Wide Format Manager. He brings more than 35 years of print industry experience to Artisan, specifically across large format, small format, and offset printing. Ludington possesses a legacy of print history; his father was also a printer.

“As owners, we take the responsibility for running Artisan very seriously,” said CEO Doug Bondon. “My partner, John Passante and I, believe the addition of Alan will enhance the company. We are excited to begin a new journey to grow the operation and success of our business, and more importantly, to continue to provide top notch printing services to our loyal customers.”

Artisan Colour is also pursuing HIPPA compliance. It is a rigorous process to become compliant and Artisan has done so (within the last year). Through Artisan’s association with hospitals and the health care industry, it became evident that this was a real opportunity.

Artisan Colour has also recognized a growing opportunity in the print-on-demand market for franchisee concepts. Franchise businesses require an efficient streamlined web-to-print ordering platform for multiple locations/people. Artisan is now creating custom portals/websites as a solution for franchisees who need ongoing print solutions.

On the e-commerce side of the business, rapid expansion of that division has driven the need to invest in dye-sublimation printing and a new Epson F-series printer. The F-series provides the sharpest and widest printing gamut for the sublimation to aluminum process creating stunning ChromaLuxe prints. Artisan Colour also plans to add a new Print MIS platform and recently purchased UV coating equipment from Tec Lighting.

Located in a 36,000-square-foot North Scottsdale building, Artisan Colour was founded by Doug Bondon, Joe Vallone, and John Passante. They represent more than 80 years of color separation and printing experience. The company employs more than 65 professionals who provide diversified printing services including design, photography, color management and digital printing from large to small.

Artisan Colour began as a catalog production company in 1998. For its first five years, it built a reputation as one of the top catalog production and color management companies in the nation, winning clients such as Neiman Marcus, Sundance Catalog and Patagonia. Artisan has since added other highly recognized brands including Pottery Barn, Johnston & Murphy, Filson and JOHNNY WAS.

In 2005 Artisan Colour moved to its current location near Westworld in North Scottsdale. The company absorbed a large format printing company, expanding into a state-of-the-art production facility. For more information, visit www.artisancolour.com.

Last Listed for $792,000, Lara Lane Ranch Will Be Sold, Subject to a Minimum Bid of $275,000!

Northbrook, Ill –Fine & Company, LLC (FineAndCompany.com)announced last month the auction of Rancho de Los Cerrosjust north of Tucson and now announces the auctionof aturnkey Mediterranean Style Home on 69 acres, 1333 W. Lara Lane. It is located in the Cascabel community in Cochise County with a Benson, AZ address, boastinga 3,800 SF luxury home. Two steel warehouses, set on sixty-nine acres and bounded on the North and East sides by state land.

This property was last listed for $792,000 and now will be sold at auction, subject to a minimum bid of only $275,000. Sealed bids are due on or before 2:00 p.m. MST, March 26.

Michael A. Fine, president of Fine & Company, said: “If you are at a point of your life where you yearning for a little bit of elbow room from the rest of the world, –this is it and the auction is an easy way to buy. This property includes 69 acres with the most amazing views and complete privacy and is perfect for those requiring high construction standards rarely found in rural homes.

The property is located in the Cascabel community in Cochise County, Arizona. Cascabel is located in the San Pedro Valley directly east of Tucson. It is about 30 miles “as the crow flies across the Rincon Mountains and the Coronado National Forest. Driving access to the area is via Interstate 10 from the Town of Benson and then about 23 miles north.

Robert McClure, who owns the property, said: Almost every visitor who arrives at the house for the first time spontaneously exclaims, “Wow!”

The custom features of the home are evident throughout. They begin with the handmade front door, radius corners on all finished interior walls, a front wall of exposed adobe brick, a master suite with two bathrooms, European style tilt-turn windows, oversized, radiant heat, solid doors, and many more custom features.

Mr. Fine noted: “The real estate auction has undergone an epiphany –from selling only ordinary real estate to its evolution as a smart marketing strategy to sell and acquire truly unique trophy homes throughout the nation.

Owners recognize more and more often that when selling unique homes, just as when parting with other rare and valuable assets, such as collectible cars, fine art, or collections of wine, that the competitive bidding approach is the best way to sell.”

The extraordinary construction of this home surpasses most other homes in the area is sure to impresswith its exceptional level of high-quality features. At the same time, the structure is upstaged by the incredible views in all directions, including the Cascabel Cliffs from this high vantage point.The property is fully fenced, of a manageable size with every improvement of the highest quality, and meticulously maintained.

The property is available for viewing on March 7, 15 & 21 by appointment only. The purchase of a detailed Bidder’s Information Packet is required to bid. To schedule a viewing or order, the packet call (312) 278-0600 ext. 101. Or watch the video of this property.

Lara Lane Ranch Cascabel, AZ from Fine And Company on Vimeo.

TUCSON, ARIZONA — Four Points by Sheraton Tucson Airport Hotel sold to private investors dba Tucson Airport Resort, LLC, an affiliate of Manhattan Properties of California (David Farrell, manager) for $12.3 million ($82,000 per room). The property will continue to be managed in partnership with Commonwealth Hotels. The seller was also a private investor from Alameda, Calif.

Four Points by Sheraton, with more than 225 Four Points hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., can be found in nearly 40 countries and territories, travelers can find the timeless style and comfort they’re looking for with genuine service and everything that matters most, all around the world. Four Points hotels can be found in big urban centers, by the airport, near the beach, and in the suburbs. Each hotel offers a familiar place with an authentic sense of the local, and friendly genuine service where guests can relax and unwind, watch local sports, and enjoy the brand’s Best Brews and BBQ™ program. Four Points is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. To learn more, visit us online and stay connected to Four Points on Facebook.

Four Points by Sheraton Tucson Airport offers complimentary shuttle 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the airport to the newly-renovated Four Points by Sheraton. Located on five lushly landscaped acres landscaped with lush greenery, manicured grounds and beautifully renovated guest rooms. The property offers 150 guest rooms including three suites, each custom designed for ultimate comfort in king or queen beds. All guest rooms feature a 37″ HD Television, refrigerator, microwave, and designer furnishings. Several complimentary amenities are also included: -High Speed Wireless Internet -Bottled water, replenished daily, and a choice of weekday newspapers. A well-equipped, open layout business center to ensure efficiency in handling business matters for travelers. At Four Points by Sheraton guests can unwind at the fitness center or relax in the pool and hot tub underneath the palm trees.

A recent renovation to the R&R Bar has given a fresh, relaxing atmosphere to the award-winning restaurant and 3,500-square-feet of versatile event space. R&R Bar and Grill offers a wide range of carefully crafted menu options prepared from scratch daily to satisfy any appetite, also available through room service daily from 6am-10am.

The Little Resort at the Airport also provides a ballroom that accommodates up to 200 guests, a boardroom for 12 and a beautiful outdoor courtyard for receptions. Four Points by Sheraton Tucson Airport is just minutes from downtown, the University of Arizona, and many other Tucson attractions. Explore the nearby “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and other aircraft at Pima Air and Space Museum. Escape the stratosphere by looking upward at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Want something more down to earth? Check out Kartchner Caverns State Park and Mission San Xavier del Bac.

Commonwealth Hotels, LLC, founded in 1986, is a proven partner in providing hotel management services with superior financial results. The company has extensive experience managing premium branded full service and select service hotels and currently manages 43 properties with 5,300 rooms.

For more information, Commonwealth Hotels can be reached at 859.261.5522.

To learn more, see RED Comp #7509.