A New Source Of Business

Still, whether in-plants insource a large or small percentage of their work, their internal customers may perceive a conflict of interest. This fear keeps many in-plants from accepting outside work. But those that face this problem say they draw a hard line.

"Our main goal is still to serve our university," insists Mike Loyd, director of Louisiana State University Graphic Services. He and other managers make sure that outside clients know this up front. At times, though, internal customers complain that, if it weren't for the outside work, the in-plant would get to their jobs faster. When he gets such complaints, Loyd explains to the customers that those commercial jobs are helping to pay for the in-plant's new equipment, which will, in turn, give all customers better quality and faster turnaround.