Among the more interesting issues in the printing industry is the constant, decades-old complaints about market pricing of print and its supposed roots in industry overcapacity. While those that topic will not be discussed here, it is essential to remember that the print medium exists in a larger communications marketplace, and now competes with more alternatives than ever for the same amount of budget dollars, and sometimes less. Recent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show how prices have changed in these areas. The Consumer Price Index of inflation for the past two years has increased by 7.7% in total. Commercial printing prices have
NEW YORK CITY—Decenber 14, 2006—Despite rising postal rates, higher raw materials costs and the advent of numerous alternative channels, marketers continue to seek out the return on investment benefits of direct mail—spending $60.6 billion on the channel in 2006—according to a white paper released today by Winterberry Group, a leading strategic consulting firm serving the marketing industry. The white paper, entitled Vertical Market Trends in Direct Mail and the Impact on Production Service Providers 2006, is the New York-based consulting firm’s third annual study of the direct mail production sector. Based upon feedback provided through hundreds of interviews with executives from throughout the direct mail
NEW YORK CITY—December 13, 2006—The market for passive radio frequency identification (RFID) labels — particularly UHF labels — has not yet grown as stakeholders in the industry had hoped. According to a new study from ABI Research, the reason these core components of RFID tags have failed to achieve their expected potential is the relationship between prices, volumes, and the business case for RFID. In a classic “vicious circle” dynamic, production costs for UHF labels (hence for Gen 2 passive labels) are still at levels tending to inhibit the high-volume deployments that would provide economies of scale. Research analyst Robert Foppiani says, “At current
LOUISVILLE, KY—12/07/06—After 118 years in business, Fetter Printing Company has completely overhauled its management structure as well as its vision for the future, walking away from some of its traditional lines of business in order to focus on others in which it can be a market leader. Fetter plans to focus primarily on two highly specialized markets. The first is printing labels and creating information management and logistic solutions for the paint and coatings industry, a category in which the company already is the number-two national supplier with 15% of total U.S. market share. Fetter has developed highly sophisticated systems that are custom-made
As we enter 2007, many RFID suppliers are licking their wounds, while for others, RFID business is booming. As IDTechEx interview solution providers and users across the RFID industry for the new report “RFID Forecasts, Players & Opportunities 2007-2017” to be released in January, Raghu Das, CEO, summarizes some of the findings. The volumes that never came At the beginning of 2006, there was much optimism in the retail mandate sector. RFID tag production capacities had been put in place and Gen 2 was delivering superior performance than previous versions. However, arguably the pallet/case market for RFID tags became the nearest thing to
Printing shipments in October were up a strong +$259 million on a current dollar basis, and up +$155 on an inflation-adjusted basis. While current dollar shipments have been up for six months, real printing shipments have been up for three consecutive months. This was the biggest monthly comparison since July 2004’s real shipments were +$206 million compared to those of July 2003. For the year, real shipments are now slightly better than last year; it had been negative until this report. The strength of the increase may be attributable to highly contentious local political races around the country. Print was considered more effective than new
NPES members attending the 2006 Annual Conference in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida last month were treated to a business-intensive agenda featuring more speakers and ultra-current content than any previous event has afforded. With guidance from the Association’s Programs and Meetings Committee – Bruce Goodwin, John Stewart, Steve Fullerton, and Elinor Midlik – the Conference program was designed to engage members in lively dialogue with an array of industry leaders assessing and driving new business models of print. The program was enhanced by outstanding representation from the printing company community. An interactive printer panel discussion, featuring three executives assembled and moderated by NAPL’s Joe Truncale,
THE ANNUAL Printing Impressions 400 list can be used as a gauge of the health of the printing industry. Of the 400 companies on the 2006 edition, 287 have seen an increase in sales for the past fiscal year. Additionally, 153 of those 287 have seen double-digit increases. These are the stories of how some firms that experienced a successful year have bolstered their sales numbers. Dubbed “fast-track firms,” these industry stalwarts are leading the way though innovation, technology and a vision for the future. Southeastern Printing Stuart, FL Most Recent Fiscal Year Sales: $31.71 million Previous Fiscal Year Sales: $26.64 million Percentage Change:
ONE OF the most neglected, yet cost-effective, ways to market yourself is public relations. According to the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) definition of public relations, “Public relations helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other.” In your business, you have several “publics” that PR activities will help you address, including: • customers/potential customers; • employees/potential employees; • the business community; and • the media. The key to public relations activities is to build awareness about your firm and what you can offer. The most-often considered tool in the PR toolbag is a press release. Perhaps you have hired a new salesperson, bought a
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There. I’ve gotten the political correctness thing behind me. But my depression lingers. I’m not depressed by the election outcome. We all knew long before now what the results would be.
I’m depressed at being inundated for months by all the phone calls, the multitude of negative television commercials, the handful of positive TV commercials and all of the road signs stretching around highways of America.
I want all that stuff banned and the political money in future elections redirected to the printing
