Dr. Joe Webb Economic Update, Sponsored by Kodak Polychrome Graphics Draws International Audience on WhatTheyThink.com; Forecasts Improving Conditions for the Printing Industry
In an exclusive WhatTheyThink economic webinar sponsored by Kodak Polychrome Graphics and presented by renowned printing industry speaker and author Dr. Joe Webb, Dr. Webb reported that metrics for the printing industry are improving, in terms of both shipments and profits. In his presentation, Dr. Webb provided a print owner’s to-do list for sustainable print profitability basics. The webinar can be accessed for free at http://members.whattheythink.com/home/webinar040929.cfm
Lexington, KY (PRWEB)October 5, 2004 -- In a free Webinar hosted by
WhatTheyThink.com, the printing industry’s leading source of news and
information, Dr. Joe Webb, one of the industry's best-known consultants and a
26-year veteran of the graphic arts industries, shared his insight on the state
of the industry as the 4th Quarter of 2004 approaches, and his views about how
2005 will shape up. Nearly 400 senior printing executives from around the world
registered for this event, which was sponsored by Kodak Polychrome Graphics
(KPG). While most of the attendees were from North America, viewers also tuned
in from New Zealand, Russia, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, England, and Mexico.
The audio of the Webinar and PDF of the presentation are available
online:
http://members.whattheythink.com/home/webinar040929.cfm
Among
the non-economic topics covered by Dr. Webb were:
•The print business owner’s
“to do” list (sustainable print profitability basics),
•What to expect at
Graph Expo
•Dr. Joe’s Autumn Reading List
“Print shipments have begun
to pick up,” said Dr. Webb, “and printers’ profits are improving. This is a good
sign for the months ahead. But a ‘digital divide’ does seem to be occurring,
with advertisers preferring new media over print for the under-35 crowd. This
could create long-term demand issues in the printing
industry.”
Employment is picking up with seven quarters of increased
household wealth. Dr. Webb also forecasted GDP to remain on a +3.75% to +4.25%
growth path, slightly lower than last quarter’s forecast. Dr. Webb also
projected that the Fed would raise rates again later this yearafter the
election at its regularly scheduled meeting. And he pointed out that CEO
enthusiasm is still somewhat constrained, benefiting small businesses and
outsourcers including printers as companies outsource rather than hire
employees.
While recovery in the printing industry in terms of print
shipments is not as strong as much of the rest of the economy, Dr. Webb
indicated that printing profits are on the rise, which is good news for the
industry. Printing profits in the 2nd Quarter of 2004 were up by +48.5% over the
same quarter in 2003. “The key to maintaining this increased profitability,”
according to Dr. Webb, “is to aggressively manage capacity utilization inside
the plant. It is also important to offer the right product mix and to maintain
control of the sales process. Focusing on building relationships and solving
customer business problems is a much different approach than simply selling
print.”
Dr. Webb continued, “Management matters. It almost
doesn’t make a difference what the industry is doing. Individual
companiescompanies that are well-managed can do well even in tough economic
times.”
Other advice Dr. Webb shared with the graphic arts community
included:
•Look for business among the fastest growing industry segments.
Government data and your local Chamber of Commerce can put you on the right
path.
•Eat your own cooking! If you believe in print as an effective
communications medium, employ it in your own marketing efforts.
•Understand
why buyers are loyal; good management, rapid turnaround and value-added services
will augment customer retention.
The presentation, including audio, can
be accessed at no charge by visiting
http://members.whattheythink.com/home/webinar040929.cfm
Dr.
Webb will be presenting his next quarterly update on December 8th, hosted by
WhatTheyThink.com and sponsored by Kodak Polychrome Graphics. He also provides
commentary in his weekly WhatTheyThink columns, available to Premium Access
members.
About Kodak Polychrome Graphics:
Kodak Polychrome Graphics
provides one of the broadest portfolios of digital, conventional and business
solutions available in the graphic arts industry today. Products and services
include a wide range of computer-to-plate and conventional lithographic and
flexographic plate products, digital halftone, virtual, inkjet, and analog
proofing products, digital printing applications, color workflow tools, storage
solutions, business solutions and Kodak branded graphic arts films. With
headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA, KPG serves customers around the globe
with regional offices in the United States, Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific and
Latin America. Additional information regarding Kodak Polychrome Graphics may be
found on the company's website: www.kpgraphics.com
About
WhatTheyThink.com:
WhatTheyThink.com is the print and publishing industry's
leading online community. The company offers a mixture of free and
subscription-based content for industry executives. Additionally,
WhatTheyThink.com provides a robust content syndication program serving related
web sites.
About Dr. Joe Webb
Industry commentator and forecaster
Dr. Joe Webb is a 26+ year veteran of the graphic arts industry. He has served
the industry as a consultant, executive, and the founder of the TrendWatch
surveys. His academic background is a combination of business, computer
technologies, and graphic arts. His doctoral work was completed at the NYU
Center for Graphic Arts Management and Technology. Dr. Webb has worked with
industry suppliers of all types, including those marketing capital equipment
such as presses, software developers, computer and peripheral manufacturers and
developers, national and multinational organizations, associations, and others.
A frequent speaker at industry events, Dr. Webb's weekly column “Fridays with
Dr. Joe” appears at www.WhatTheyThink.com where it has become a must-read feature
for the entire printing industry. (Photos of Dr. Webb for editorial purposes can
be downloaded at www.drjoewebb.com/press )
Dr. Webb is the author of
“Renewing the Print Industry: A Contrarian’s Constructive Perspective.” A sample
of that report can be downloaded from http://www.prweb.com/prfiles/2004/05/04/123740/renew_ind_toc&chap1.pdf
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prweb163993.htm