| Move
Update Noncompliance Charges Postponed
The Postal Customer Council (PCC) has filed an amended notice
to postpone the Move
Update noncompliance charge for Standard Mail and to adjust
prices for Confirm service. Per the PCC, “We extended
implementation of the Standard Mail Move Update noncompliance
charge from May 11, 2009, to Jan. 4, 2010. The charge applies
to Standard Mail mailings that fail to fully comply with
the Move Update standards. Delaying implementation allows
extra time to provide our Standard Mail customers with additional
feedback from our new postage verification systems, but does
not relieve mailers of their obligation to comply with the
Move Update standard if they intend to claim automation or
Presort prices. The new Move Update verification procedures
will not be used to assess additional postage for First-Class
Mail or Standard Mail at the time of mailing until January
2010. However, as noted above, customers are still required
to comply with the Move Update standards in the Domestic
Mail Manual.”
Free
Reports from Printing Industries of America
PGAMA's parent Association, the Printing Industries of America,
has announced a new benefit for all members: all Research
Technology reports are now FREE to members as a PDF. This
benefit will be extremely valuable to members, as it provides
essential information for benchmarking your production process.
In addition to all future reports, some existing report will
also be available, beginning with the 2007 Sheetfed Benchmarking
Study. Check it out at www.printing.org/free.
Get
Info about Intelligent Mail Barcode
In preparation for the May 2009 launch of the Intelligent
Mail Barcode (IMB), the Postal Service has created an informative
Q&A flyer and is hosting free webinars. The flyer is
available as a PDF. (Download
the PDF here.) The
webinars are being every other Friday
to answer questions on integrating the new technology. The
next session will be on April 17 from 1-2:30 p.m. ET. There
is a wealth of IMB information on the USPS site,
including an archive of past webinar questions and answers.
Access the USPS site here: http://emailer.emailroi.com/go2.shtml?tiGiXaRTZPx4oSnn/7fc8acf15b3b1961/afdaee974f4f133c/paul@pgama.com.
Deadline
for Ratios Participation is April 30
Establish a critical baseline for future management and
financial decisions by participating in the Printing Industries
of America Ratios Study. To access the complimentary tool,
go to http://www.margolisbecker.com/ratio.html and
choose either the Excel or PDF version of the Ratios Study
Survey and complete it. New this year, you may enter data
using a web
interface. Past participants will already have a web
account created for them. If you do not have a pre-established
account, create a new account and begin entering data into
the study.
Communication
is Critical
In order to avoid creating a state of panic with your clients
and staff, it is critical to communicate what's going on
with your business. If individuals (employees, vendors, etc.)
don't know why something is happening, they are likely to
fill in the gaps with their own version and possibly jump
to the wrong conclusion. Unfortunately, once the rumors begin
to spread of impending problems, businesses find it harder
to negotiate, find employees, and too often, even customers
will be wary. So, when management makes decisions like reducing
the workforce, changing suppliers, extending terms, or selling
buildings/property or equipment; have a meeting with both
employees and vendors and let them in on what you are doing
and why. Make sure that when things go well, new clients
or new orders, that you share that information as well. Remember,
they have a stake in your business too – their
jobs.
Member Anniversaries
Congratulations to the following member firms marking major
anniversaries as Association members this month:
35 Years
P & R Printing
25 Years
Business Cards Tomorrow #2026
20 Years
Chroma Graphics
Chroma Graphics is also celebrating it's 20th year in business!
15 Years
Professional Marketing Products
10 Years
A & S Graphic Supplies, Inc.
5 Years
OT View
Member
News
Accolades for K&W finishing, inc.:
Charlie Benjamin, Printing Teacher at the Occupational Skills
Training Center (OSTC), wants to thank
K&W
finishing for everything they have done to support the program.
The company has been a supporter of OSTC for many
years, and is active in the Occupational Skills Training
Center's Printing Advisory Committee. Most recently K&W donated
several used parts to OSTC's Heidelberg
Single Color, which is essential to the OSTC printing program.
Spotted Around Town: PGAMA members IndigoInk, Peake
DeLancey,
and Clean Currents were promoting their
green practices at the Howard County GreenFest last weekend.
Peake Delancey and Clean Currents were
both sponsors. The free event focused on
alternative energy, energy efficiency, water conservation,
and water reuse; and had more than 95 vendors. Other “green” themes
were also featured, such as green buildings, green consumer
products, green landscaping, wildlife and environmental education,
and more.
Upcoming Events
| 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. Register on pgama.com. |
| April 30-May 1 |
Mailer
Strategies Conference, in Washington,
D.C. PGAMA has partnered with the Mailing & Fulfillment
Service Association (MFSA) to give members access
to special rates on all future MFSA events. This
is their next event and attending will help
you find out what works in direct mail. Early
Bird Registration extended to April 12! Learn
more and sign up at www.MFSAnet.org. |
| 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. |
| May 12 |
Webinar: Employee Free Choice
Act-Avoiding Unionization,
2:00-3:00pm. Many expect the number of unionized workers
to triple over the next several years due to the economy
and the new political climate. Learn effective management
practices that undermine union overtures and organization
strategies, lawful means for eliminating unions, and
union interferences as well as how to negotiate new
cost-savvy bargaining agreements. This FREE webinar
is brought to you by Offit-Kurman. Register on pgama.com. |
| 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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