Revolutionizing the Printing Industry: Dr. Joe Webb Draws Large Audience at Graph Expo Event Sponsored by MAN Roland and WhatTheyThink.com
Dr. Joe Webb, printing industry commentator and forecaster, presented his prescription to "revolutionize" the printing industry at the recent Graph Expo in Chicago. More than 200 printers, suppliers, media and consultants, heard how the printing industry must radically change in the face of increasing competition from alternative communications media. The event can be accessed at http://members.whattheythink.com/home/ge041012djw.cfm
Lexington, KY (PRWEB)October 20, 2004 -- In what is becoming a not-to-miss
annual event for Graph Expo show-goers, hosted by WhatTheyThink and sponsored by
MAN Roland, Dr. Joe Webb, well-known industry expert, presented to a packed
hall. Attended by over 200 printers, suppliers, media and consultants, his
presentation, entitled Revolutionizing the Printing Industry, gave attendees
food for thought as they go back to their businesses following the show. He told
the audience that the revolution in the printing industry must come in the way
we look at our businesses and manage our businesses in the face of increasing
competition from alternative communications media.
The event can be
accessed at http://members.whattheythink.com/home/ge041012djw.cfm
Yves Rogivue Chief Executive Officer of MAN Roland Inc. the North
American division of MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG, kicked off the session with a
discussion of the importance of CIM to the printing industry, emphasizing that
printers have only two options for increasing profits--increasing revenues or
reducing costs. He pointed out that CIM, a common practice in other
manufacturing segments, is a key enabler for the printing industry to be able to
contain costs and that printers must begin to think of their businesses as a
manufacturing operation.
MAN Roland joined with several other industry
innovators in an operating workflow demonstration at Graph Expo called
CIMcity.
In his presentation, Dr. Webb indicated that the revolution in
the printing industry will by driven by three elements: innovation, change in
the way printing businesses are managed, and improved productivity. He included
a "to do" list for sustainable print profitability that should be front and
center on the desk of every print business owner.
Dr. Webb’s
presentation, and Mr. Rogivue’s CIM-related comments, stimulated a lively
discussion as many members of the audience opted to remain for an extended
question and answer session.
“We were honored by MAN Roland’s decision to
sponsor this important event once again,” said Randy Davidson, President of
WhatTheyThink.com. “The dialog that Dr. Webb’s views stimulate is an important
catalyst in the transition our industry must undergo.”
Dr. Joe Webb is a
recognized marketing authority, forecaster and one of the best known speakers in
our industry. He contributes a weekly column at WhatTheyThink.com for Premium
Access Members entitled “Fridays with Dr. Joe Webb.” The column offers timely
analysis of recent economic data as well as management advice for senior
printing and publishing executives.
A copy of Dr. Webb’s presentation,
including audio, can be downloaded from http://members.whattheythink.com/home/ge041012djw.cfm
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 MAN Roland
MAN Roland is taking the computer
integrated manufacturing (CIM) concept to the next level at Graph Expo 2004,
joining with several other industry innovators in an operating workflow
demonstration called CIMcity (Booth 1017). Its purpose is to create a real world
JDF production environment that will show Graph Expo visitors how they can
combine open systems in prepress, press and postpress to create customized
workflows to best serve their markets and their customers.
MAN Roland
Druckmaschinen AG is the world's second largest printing press manufacturer and
the world's market leader in web press and newspaper printing technology. (Every
third newspaper produced in the world is printed on a MAN Roland press. In fact,
every day, 330 million people read daily newspapers that were printed on MAN
Roland presses.) With main facilities in Offenbach and Augsburg, Germany, MAN
Roland generates annual sales of over $1.8 billion. Exports account for 75% of
the figure. MAN Roland produces web and sheetfed offset presses as well as
digital printing systems for commercial printers, newspaper printers,
publishers, packaging producers, quick printers and in-plant print shops. The
company is a subsidiary of MAN Aktiengesellschaft, Munich. The MAN Group is one
of Europe's leading suppliers of capital goods, with 64,000 employees whose
expertise ranges from commercial vehicle manufacturing to engineering. Its
annual sales total $17 billion.
For more information visit www.manroland.com.
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
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/10/prweb169365.htm