The first half of 2020 has been burdened by one of the most brutal economic environments printing operations have likely ever experienced. Although a rise in COVID-19 cases will certainly set our economy back, it does not discount the clear steps toward recovery that the country has seen over the past few months.
Expect the printing industry to grow in 2021, boosted by a sharp upturn in the American economy. We can be sure, however, that the upcoming recovery will be selective, giving some companies a lift, while shutting others out.
It's no secret that printing and related graphic communication companies have the need for skilled entry-level employees as experienced journeymen retire. A vocational training center, the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, offers a great model for addressing the problem.
While reducing production costs and improving efficiency are key business initiatives for in-plants, almost half track their operational key performance indicators manually. It's imperative to automate both the production process and the data collection to effectively manage a print shop.
To be successful, you need to be a leader and a manager. Practicing management without leadership, or leadership without management is a recipe for failure. Here are some things to consider.
PRINTING United will be a comprehensive online experience this October and in-person once again in October 2021. Exhibitors learned of the sequence of events that led to the change in an online announcement on June 24.
With all that has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing that has continued (albeit in a different format) is the need to conduct meetings.
The economic lockdown is easing. Businesses are reopening. There’s pent-up demand for all the things we haven’t been able to do or purchase in months. This is what can be expected when the economy begins its recovery.
To help commercial printing companies navigate the COVID-19 crisis, NAPCO Research and the PRINTING United Alliance have launched the COVID-19 Print Business Indicators Research and will report the results of this ongoing survey on a continuing basis.
Raymond J. Prince was a 61-year industry veteran, consultant, and advisor who dedicated his career to helping printing companies to improve in the areas of productivity and quality with the bottom-line objective of increasing their profitability. Ray passed away on May 1, 2020.
