Expo Bound: Scouting New Products, Services to Ensure In-plant’s Future
Garry Boytos
The PRINTING United Expo — taking place September 10-12 in Las Vegas — is just around the corner, and attendees are eagerly preparing for days filled with learning, networking, and inspiration. As we approach the Expo, we're excited to present a series of Q&A interviews with attendees. They'll share their reasons for attending the PRINTING United Expo, the knowledge they hope to gain, and what they're most looking forward to at the event.
We recently talked with Garry Boytos, director of UT Print at UT Health San Antonio, to learn about his Expo plans.
What made you want to attend this year's Expo?
I have a specific list of equipment I want to see. This allows me to do it in a few days as opposed to traveling all over the US. Our business model has changed dramatically. We need to bring specific services in-house to replace the areas that are not what they used to be. As you know the print market has changed and customers are focused on their bottom line more than ever. Our parent organization has branched out by providing more clinical services to the community. This opens the door for us to produce the workwear and other items. We have about 7,000 nurses and doctors on staff that wear scrubs every day, this is what we refer to as workwear.
If you attended a past Expo, what ideas did you bring home that helped your in-plant?
The most recent show I went to was in Dallas, Texas. I went to keep up to date with market trends. What it did was help me form a plan for the future. As you know, equipment changes; new technology is introduced that will, in most cases, reduce production times thus increasing the bottom line, however, not always can we afford to update, so I plan.
What products or services are you most looking forward to seeing?
I am replacing my old wide-format flatbed and roll printers. I also can finally afford a cutting system to expand our capabilities. We need to be able to provide a high-quality signage option, which keeps funds on campus. The clinical operation demands high-end acrylics and custom cutout wall-mounted signs. This currently goes outside to a vendor.
Why is attending the Expo better than going to a vendor’s demo center to see equipment?
It gives you the opportunity to see all of the suppliers, and you are not pressed into a decision. You can easily walk away whenever you want.
Is networking with industry peers an important reason for attending the Expo?
I have a commercial background. I find talking to commercial printers is best for me. They must win every customer, every order, every time, and to that is difficult.
How do you hope attending will impact your business/career moving forward?
My goal is to implement new services and keep my staff busy, even if it is doing something different. The industry is has changed and is changing every day. You must change along with it or just keep doing the same and you will be outsourced. In-plants have a limited customer base so you must find new products and services to ensure your future and be considered an asset to the origination.
To register for the Expo, please visit PrintingUnited.com.
Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.
