Bindery
Folding
- Miniature to Map
- Closed Gate
- In-Line 8pg Gluing
Presentation Folder Gluing
Stitching
- 10 pockets
- Loop Stitching
Trimming
Rotary Perf & Score
Gathering & Collating
Perfect Binding
Wire-O
Plastic Spiral
- Autospin 30mm elements
- 2.5:1 Oval Hole Pattern
Transfer Tape
Drilling
Round Cornering
Shrink Wrapping
Eyeletting
Film Laminating

Tabbing
Custom Index Tabs
Copier Tabs
Tab Reinforcing
Spine Reinforcing
Patch Edge Reinforcing
5 Hole Drilling

Finishing
Autoplaten Diecutting
Diecutting to 41"
Scoring & Perfing
Embossing
Foiling
Numbering

1. Small Businesses for Sale Everywhere? A recent article in Business Week, suggests that "... the pampered generation of kids that have very high degrees of education are not as interested in the family business," which is resulting in an increasing number of family business owners "monetizing" the business. Author Margaret Collins suggests that 44% of family businesses considering a sale may act in the next two years. Now, that’s a stunning statistic! Private-equity firms are seeing a lot more activity, according to the article, as pressure builds on family business owners who need cash to fund their retirement. If you think you might be on either side of one of these deals, now would be a good time to start the prep work. For the full article, click here.

2. Credit Crunch in Real Time. I found this article recently on the Los Angeles Times website, which describes a small business owner in LA and her challenges with keeping her furniture business open and operating, given the current credit crunch. There’s some "ground truth" in this story (you know, things as they actually are and not how they are described by people far removed). We've all been reading about the small business stimulus plans at the national level, and I’m guessing I’m not alone at being shocked by how little has been done that’s made a difference. As they say, talk is cheap. Check this out and see if you find your own situation accurately described here. If so, maybe somebody in DC will actually read, understand, and, just maybe, act? Read it here.

3. No Silver Bullet. On his blog a while back, Dr. Joe Webb tackled the topic of printers becoming marketing service providers. Under the title, “Marketing Services is the Easy Answer, Just Like Buying New Equipment Always Was,” he makes the important point that marketing services is a totally new culture, typically billed on a retainer basis and run entirely differently than conventional print enterprises. According to Dr. Joe, to be successful the marketing services operation “needs to stand alone. . .But the first hurdle is always to use the tools available in the marketing services business for one's own business, and use it in a way that proves competence, demonstrates skills of wide range and insight, and makes marketing services more than a new business card.” Wise advice. Click here for the complete post.

4. The Economist. This may a bit of a reach for this newsletter, but there are far-reaching implications for the graphics arts industry. It presents one perspective on the fundamental shifts in the way our US economy behaves and will behave in the future: that consumers are saving more and borrowing less, which in turn, will lead bankers and regulators to ration credit; non-bank lenders to shrink their loan books; property developers to build smaller, simpler houses. In addition, the recession and foreclosures will slow the rush to sun and sprawl. If you believe that past habits of borrow-spend-owe have shifted to cut back-invest-save, then you must believe that there will be fundamental changes in the uses of print and they way it is purchased. A wise business owner-manager should be trying to look over the horizon to see what is headed our way. The printer who has a good idea of what to expect is more likely to find niches that will succeed. This article might boost thinking along those lines.

5. Capital Gains. It’s surprising that we are just now beginning to hear about the potential increase in capital gains taxes because the prospect is real, potentially increasing from 15% to at least 20% in 2011. There is also talk of personal federal tax rates increasing, particularly for the more affluent. And with mounting deficits and the government’s seeming inability to make meaningful reductions in expenses, California and many other states may have few options but to increase state tax rates, as well, on both ordinary income and capital gains. Consequently, more and more accountants and financial planners are beginning to advise their clients to consider accelerating tax payments, as today’s tax rates may never again be this low. It’s also a useful discussion for owners thinking about selling their business.  Here’s one article on the subject.

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