| Employer
Info Follow-Up
Last week PGAMA sent members an email with important information
regarding revised Federal Withholding Tables and new COBRA
regulations. These changes, prompted by the Economic Stimulus
bill, must be utilized by businesses.
If you use a payroll service, they are already up to speed
on the withholding tables issue. If you are with GABC, they
will handle the complex COBRA notification problems for you.
However, it is in your best interest to learn all the facts
yourself. For further information on the revised withholding
tables, go to www.irs.gov and
search for "withholding tables." On Tuesday the
IRS released new guidance on the federal COBRA subsidy. Employers
can claim the subsidy through a tax credit on the Quarterly
Federal Tax Return, Form 941. The most significant guidance—crucial
for helping employers determine who is eligible for the subsidy
and who is not— defines
what constitutes an "involuntary termination of employment" and
then provides numerous examples of involuntary termination.
For the new IRS Guidance, see http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-09-27.pdf.
Members
Can Benefit from New PGAMA Partnership
For the benefit of our membership, PGAMA has partnered with
the Mailing & Fulfillment Service Association (MFSA),
which gives PGAMA members
access to special rates at all future Mailing & Fulfillment
Service Association (MFSA) events.
The next event is the Mailer Strategies Conference in Washington,
D.C. to be held April 30-May 1. With direct mail continuing
to be a key channel in reaching consumers and influencing
their purchase decisions (according to a recent study by
DMNews and Pitney Bowes), your customers are going to want
more direct mail pieces from you in the coming months. Be
prepared! Find out what works--and find out at a discount--thanks
to this new partnership. Learn more about the Mailing Strategies
conference and register at www.MFSAnet.org.
6
Survival
Strategies for Printers
Cary Sherburne, a contributor at WhatTheyThink.com, chiseled
out these six "must-do-to-survive" strategies for printers.
Does your business plan include these tactics?
1-Implement and utilize a company wide Management Information
System. (Printing Industries of America released their latest
Survey of Management Information Systems in October, 2008.
You can download an electronic version for FREE from pgama.com in the Members Only section!)
2-Information Technology must become a core competence
3-Color Management must be incorporated throughout the production
process
4-Workflow systems must be implemented for both analog and
digital applications
5-Adopt digital production printing: toner now, inkjet in the
future, (both color and b&w)
6-Incorporate Web-to-Print
Select
Suppliers Carefully
The common denominator of our industry has always been the
absence of printer-funded research and development (R&D).
Our technology comes from our suppliers, and the nature of
the work makes it impractical to do anything else. But that
means we should be extra cautious when choosing our suppliers,
concentrating more on the quality and quantity of technical
support and less on the price. The slash and burn approach
taken by some firms will not produce the results needed
to stay ahead of the curve.
Xerox Discount
Benefits Your Bottom Line
As affiliate members of the Printing Industries of America,
PGAMA members qualify for discounts on the sale or lease
of Xerox equipment. This discount saves members thousands
of dollars each year on printers, copiers, scanners, fax
machines, desktop software, digital printing and publishing
systems. Not yet using your discount? Start today! For equipment,
members should use the buying code 0707168XX. For supplies,
use the buying code PVR99. Questions? Call the PGAMA office,
410-319-0900.
Member
News
Welcome new member HIFLEX, the global leader
in MIS and integrated Web2Print workflow solutions for the
print and media industries. HIFLEX focuses on dramatically
reducing a printer’s administrative costs and improving
productivity through its world class integration solutions.
HIFLEX Web2Print systems facilitate completely dynamic and
effortless ordering, real-time proofing, UPS/FedEx shipping
integration and credit card payment processing, all through
an intuitive online interface. The JDF data generated by
HIFLEX Web2Print solutions automates MIS order entry and
completely eliminates administrative costs for all online
ordering. HIFLEX customers have won 12 of the CIP4 ‘JDF
Integration Awards’ (CIPPI). HIFLEX is also the winner
of the 2008 Printing Industries of America InterTech Award,
the only recipient for the category of MIS and Web2Print
in the award’s
30 year history. For information, visit their website www.hiflex.com or
call 518-734-5400.
Member Tim Roberts of ROI Printing Companies in Baltimore,
MD contributed to the production of the new release from
Printing Industries of America, Printing Sales Contracts.
Member firms Vertis and Whitmore were
featured in an article
on Printing Impressions website about
the profitability of database management.
Upcoming Events
April
7
***There's still
time to register for this seminar! Sign up by 4:00pm
tomorrow! |
Members
Only Seminar: How to
Survive the Economic
Downturn, 8:30-12:30pm
at PGAMA. Renowned consultant Tom
Crouser developed this
program especially for
small printing businesses
(those with less than
$1.5 million annual sales.) In
the half-day session
he explains why a tough
economy can be the best
time for growth, and
how expansion can be
achieved. All attendees
receive a copy of Tom's
book, "Prospering," and
a personal consultation
with him. Cost is $85
per person/$125 for husband-wife
owners. ***Money
Back Guarantee!*** If
you attend and do not
find value in the presentation,
ask for a refund. Sign up at www.pgama.com or
call the office, 410-319-0900. |
| April
21-23 |
Workshop:
Lean Tools for Optimizing
Print Production,
Printing Industries
of America in Pittsburgh,
PA. This unique Lean
Manufacturing workshop
focuses Lean Manufacturing
on the shop floor by
identifying and eliminating
all forms of waste and
non-value-added activities.
Lean goals include;
decreasing production
costs, reducing lead
time, improving financial
performance, and achieving
rapid response to customer
needs. Cost is $1195
for members. More info
and register at www.printing.org. |
| April 21 |
Webinar: Protecting
Customers, Key Employees & Confidential Information, 2:00-3:00pm.
In this economy, it is critical for employers to protect their customers, employees,
and business secrets from unfair competition. Learn practical steps to protect
customer lists and business information; essentials to drafting employment agreements,
including key terms to include and the appropriate scope of restrictions; and
more. This FREE webinar is brought to you by member
firm Offit-Kurman. More info and register by contacting them directly, 443-738-1582. |
| May 3-6 |
BIA Mid Management Conference,
Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, NV. This conference is
designed to bring together mid-managers from trade
binderies, graphic finishing, information packaging,
custom loose-leaf manufacturing, and the suppliers
to those industries. Fee structure: BIA Trade Bindery/Loose-Leaf
Manufacturer-$275; BIA Supplier (non-exhibitor)-$325;
Printing Industries of America Member-$475 (includes
one year membership in BIA). Complete info and register
at www.printing.org under Events & Training. |
| May 4-6 |
Offset and Beyond:
Printer to Printer Business & Technology
Conference, at Caesar's Palace in Las
Vegas, NV. Every company has the potential for greatness,
but few conferences provide you with the resources,
tools, and connections that you need to succeed. Offset & Beyond
2009 offers topics that cover business opportunities
and trends as well as the most comprehensive technology
and production sessions for printers, regardless of
process. Download brochure and register at www.printing.org under
Events & Training. |
| June 8 |
PGAMA Golf Outing, 8:45am
shotgun start at Crofton Country Club. Make contacts
with other members and business associates at our annual
golf outing. A challenging course, an outstanding lunch,
and prizes for Longest Drive, Closest to Pin, Hole
in One and Putting. Cost is $145 per person for golf,
breakfast and lunch; $45 for lunch/awards only. Early
Bird Discount! Register by April 30 and pay $135 per
person! Look for flyer from PGAMA with registration
info, or call the office, 410-319-0900. |
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