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1. Going Global. A study conducted by the Graphic Arts Marketing Information Service (GAMIS) observes a trend towards globalization in print buying. Forty-four percent of major print buyers surveyed believe there is a trend toward purchasing print globally within their company. Secondary research confirms an accelerating trend toward the globalization of print buying. The impact on printers and the print supply chain is expected to emerge within the next two years. Jackie Bland, executive director for GAMIS, comments: "The research indicates that, for the time being, pricing battles will continue. Print buyers will continue to reduce the number of print suppliers they utilize and supplier qualification programs will emerge for all volumes of print procurement." Bland attributes this to buyers seeking "an optimum number of printers for each continent combined with geographically advantaged clusters of small to mid-sized specialists rather than large print firms." 2. Workshare Discount. In an effort to provide mailers of small circulation periodicals a way to achieve worksharing discounts enjoyed by large mailers, the Postal Service has filed a case with the Postal Rate Commission (PRC) seeking a two-year experimental mail classification for Periodicals. The discounts are designed to provide an additional incentive for publishers, printers, and consolidators to combine different publications or print runs on pallets, avoiding the need for sacks, a benefit to mailers and the Postal Service. 3. In A Related Story. The USPS reports that it will reduce its overall debt by $200 million. Postmaster General John Potter stated that an employee/manager effort to lower costs has led to decreased expenses. The good news is that this improved financial outlook means a general rate hike may not happen again until well into 2004. How did the Postal Service save money in a time of economic difficulties? They lowered expenses by $2.9 billion this fiscal year by reducing the total employee roster of 23,000 workers through retirement attrition. Total staff is now roughly equal to 1995 levels. 4. Craftsman Kudos. Seattle Bindery was honored in this year’s national Gallery competition, bringing home 3 awards (out of 3 entries) for our finishing work. Several printers won many, many awards, which was a great way to demonstrate the high quality of their printing to their invited customers. Hats off to the winners, and a reminder to all to start collecting samples of exemplary projects for next year’s competition. It’s smart, low-cost marketing. 5. Industry Trend. TrendWatch Graphic Arts reports that 9% of printers plan to purchase a digital color press in the next 12 months. According to Vince Naselli, director of TrendWatch Graphic Arts, those who adopted variable data printing early "haven’t waited for their competition to catch up. They’ve pushed the bar even higher, evolving into a new form of service provider that offers a wide variety of services." The survey also notes that 16% of digital printers plan to buy another digital printing device in the next 12 months
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