Presstek Well-positioned to Meet Changing Demands of Printing Franchises
November 2006
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HUDSON, NH—November 13, 2006—Presstek, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRST), a leading manufacturer and marketer of digital offset printing business solutions for the graphic arts markets, reports that it is achieving success in reaching the large base of franchise printers. Like all commercial printers, the franchises are challenged to meet the market demand for quality color printing, produced quickly in the desired quantity at a competitive price. Presstek’s DI® press and chemistry-free CTP solutions are designed to meet this demand. There are more than 2,700 print franchise locations in North America.
According to a study conducted by research firm InfoTrends entitled The Cost of Print, almost 70% percent of the color print jobs ordered in 2005 were for quantities of 10,000 prints or less. As a result of this market shift, printing franchises are looking for ways to improve their productivity to be able to address this short-run color market profitably.
“There is no question that short-run four-color is a growth market for us. We had been producing four-color work for about four years on a conventional offset press and finding it increasingly difficult to produce this work profitably as both run lengths and turnaround times continued to decline,” says Mark Ell, Chief Financial Officer and Owner for the Business Cards Tomorrow (BCT) franchise operating in Arizona, Colorado & New Mexico. “We knew we needed to modify our production process, and we have found that the DI press is a better fit than conventional offset. In addition to improving turnaround time, we saw an opportunity for significant savings in labor and materials due to a faster makeready time, and the quality we saw from the DI press was outstanding.”
Noted industry expert Dr. Joseph Webb, in his September 12, 2006 paper entitled Major Trends and Rethinking the Nature of the Print Business concurs: “The current cost structure of the printing industry is a function of its capital equipment base. With many presses purchased in the late 1990’s, there is a mismatch of the installed base of equipment’s optimal use and the nature of print demand.” Webb adds, “Presstek has a unique opportunity and position in the reshaping of the printing industry’s workflow and production methods.”
The Sir Speedy in Naperville, IL seized the opportunity to reposition the company after installing the Presstek DI press. Julie Phillips, franchise owner, says, “Many people still think of Sir Speedy in terms of the old instant print model, and we are so much more than that today. The DI has made it very easy for Sir Speedy to switch customers from two-color to four-color so that they can take advantage of more impactful printing with little or no incremental cost. Our customers are excited about the opportunities the DI opens and are anxious to try it on their next job. That has resulted in an immediate business boost.”
According to a study conducted by research firm InfoTrends entitled The Cost of Print, almost 70% percent of the color print jobs ordered in 2005 were for quantities of 10,000 prints or less. As a result of this market shift, printing franchises are looking for ways to improve their productivity to be able to address this short-run color market profitably.
“There is no question that short-run four-color is a growth market for us. We had been producing four-color work for about four years on a conventional offset press and finding it increasingly difficult to produce this work profitably as both run lengths and turnaround times continued to decline,” says Mark Ell, Chief Financial Officer and Owner for the Business Cards Tomorrow (BCT) franchise operating in Arizona, Colorado & New Mexico. “We knew we needed to modify our production process, and we have found that the DI press is a better fit than conventional offset. In addition to improving turnaround time, we saw an opportunity for significant savings in labor and materials due to a faster makeready time, and the quality we saw from the DI press was outstanding.”
Noted industry expert Dr. Joseph Webb, in his September 12, 2006 paper entitled Major Trends and Rethinking the Nature of the Print Business concurs: “The current cost structure of the printing industry is a function of its capital equipment base. With many presses purchased in the late 1990’s, there is a mismatch of the installed base of equipment’s optimal use and the nature of print demand.” Webb adds, “Presstek has a unique opportunity and position in the reshaping of the printing industry’s workflow and production methods.”
The Sir Speedy in Naperville, IL seized the opportunity to reposition the company after installing the Presstek DI press. Julie Phillips, franchise owner, says, “Many people still think of Sir Speedy in terms of the old instant print model, and we are so much more than that today. The DI has made it very easy for Sir Speedy to switch customers from two-color to four-color so that they can take advantage of more impactful printing with little or no incremental cost. Our customers are excited about the opportunities the DI opens and are anxious to try it on their next job. That has resulted in an immediate business boost.”
Companies Mentioned:
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