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The Industry’s Multiple States

What are editors of a print industry magazine to do? Almost all of the manufacturers and distributors we interview speak woefully about rising costs, fierce competition, demanding end users and rapid changes in technology.

In the same breath, they say they’re more excited than ever. They also say there have never been more opportunities for the distributor-manufacturer sales channel.

So is the state of the industry good or bad? It depends on who you are and what you’ve been doing the last few years. Some facts about our industry are indisputable. For one thing, it’s consolidating. Inevitably, there will be fewer printing companies. Will yours be one that grows, acquires, merges, sells or simply goes out of business?

Are you familiar with web-to-print, variable data printing and other cutting-edge technologies? Or do you still sell forms at the lowest price possible and without added value?

Every year, Print Solutions magazine publishes a ‘state of the industry’ issue. Its purpose is to communicate expectations about the coming year. In the past, we’ve largely focused on what experts had to say about the industry’s direction. This year, we’ve turned our attention to companies on the ground. We decided to speak directly to manufacturers and distributors from around the country. From Alaska to Florida, the same theme recurs—companies with plans and vision benefit from the competitive environment.

Our state of the industry coverage starts on page 25 with a graphic depiction of recent census data illustrating the number of people employed by the printing industry. But raw statistics are useless without real stories to illustrate their meaning. Accordingly, we profile members of the industry and their perceptions, goals and challenges beginning on page 32.

We also include a story on changes taking place that will affect manufacturers and distributors involved in direct mail and fulfillment. The U.S. Postal Service is raising its rates, but this doesn’t necessarily mean increased costs for you and your clients. Instead, take the opportunity to help customers streamline their mailings through bulk rates and other discounts. Read “The Rising Cost of Postage” on page 50 and learn how to act as consultant focused on ROI. These changes go into effect next spring, so you should be approaching customers and prospects now.

Andrew Brown
Managing Editor
abrown@PSDA.org

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