HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—10/02/2008—Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will, based on first calculations, achieve sales between 800 and 820 million Euro in the second quarter of the current financial year 2008/2009 (July 1 to September 30). Thus, sales volume is less than expected for the quarter following drupa trade fair and decreased by 10 percent compared with the same quarter in the previous financial year. Based on orders generated at drupa, Heidelberg had expected a stronger increase in sales in comparison to the first quarter of the current financial year, but recognises significant reluctance to invest in all regions because of the actual economic situation.
Industry consolidation, economic uncertainties, soaring costs for raw materials and energy and many other forces are changing our industry at the speed of thought. At NPES’ 75th Annual Conference, November 15-17 in St. Pete Beach, FL, participants will have an opportunity to learn firsthand how one progressive print organization managed to overcome these challenges. Read on for this preview of how, by developing strategic partnerships with industry manufacturers and service providers, the Valpak Manufacturing Center in St. Petersburg, FL has become a showcase of automated print production—and has managed to hold the line on costs for its customers, increased its productivity and morphed its employees into a skilled workforce for tomorrow. Valpak is one of North America’s leading direct marketers with $260 million in annual revenue and about 1,200 employees in Pinellas County. Valpak reaches more than 45 million unique addresses each month in the United States and Canada and is owned by Largo-based Cox Target Media.
IN 2002, I spoke at an industry gathering lamenting the dwindling profit margins in the printing industry as a result of the post 9/11 economy, the post-Y2K phenomena and the then-new concepts of e-commerce, reverse auctions and corporate RFIs. I was cautiously optimistic about an economic recovery, but concerned that we, as an industry, would not be able to harness the momentum behind a recovery and convert it into growth and profits.
IT’S THE $60 million question. What do print buyers want? If print providers only knew...With the first installment in an exclusive series of articles, Printing Impressions went right to the source and asked several print buyers for their open, honest opinions. Interestingly, all of them were more than willing to provide no-nonsense insight into what they expect from their print providers, as well as what turns them on (and off) and how to win (or lose) their print business.
WARNING! This column may be monitored or recorded for quality purposes. This means you, Marvelle Stump. No cussin’ while you are reading. No snoring. No spillin’ barbecue sauce on the pages of this magazine. No sassy back talk! No drinking Jack Daniels, chased with Pabst Blue Ribbon, while you’re reading this column.
Printing Impressions' Sustainable Printing News for October 2008
AT ondemandcolor, Long Island City, NY, being a successful commercial printer means more than just offering affordable, high-quality offset printing.
THE INTEREST and activity regarding sustainability in print in the past year has grown leaps and bounds with major buying organizations. Our research at Print Buyers Online.com indicates that print buyers are beginning to consistently seek new solutions and up-to-date advice on best practices for creating, buying or manufacturing sustainable print projects.
You’ve heard me say it before; gone are the days of the passive print buyer. They are no longer sitting back and waiting for print reps to cold call them or invite them to lunch. Today, consumers are proactive. They research their options. And the advancement of the World Wide Web has enabled them to spread a much larger net, capturing information on potential suppliers well beyond the area of their zip codes or states.
MEMPHIS, TN—Verso Paper intends to take about 30,000 tons of downtime related to coated groundwood production during the fourth quarter of 2008. Roughly 9,000 tons of downtime will be taken at its Sartell Mill in Minnesota over a two-week period beginning October 5. The balance of facilities to be impacted will be determined during the fourth quarter.
