IRgA Establishes Membership Goals for 2008-09

Despite some current economic challenges, the reprographics industry remains strong. So is the IRgA. We’re in this for the long haul and we will continue to grow stronger. As we work to build our industry, I need everyone’s help.

Membership is the life blood of our association, and it is our top priority. Now is the time to get everyone on board and work together as a cohesive and aligned industry. You can help us achieve our two membership goals. READ MORE

Nominations Open for the Prestigious Bukovsky Award

Now is the time to submit your entries for the 2008 Bukovsky Award, our industry's highest honor.

The Bukovsky Award honors the memory of George K. Bukovsky, who worked in the reprographics industry for more than 30 years. During his long career, he was actively involved in the IRgA and worked to further the industry. The award was established after his death in 1990 to honor his outstanding contributions, and in 2007, the IRgA will celebrate 16 years of recognizing individuals, reprographers and vendors who have also made a lasting impact on the industry. There are several well-deserving candidates, so don't be shy.

Award criteria and the nomination form are available at the IRgA Web site. All nominations must be received at the IRgA headquarters by Jan. 31, 2009.

In today’s trying economic times, the value received from any investment can make all the difference. By attending the 2009 IRgA Annual Convention & Trade Show, April 29-May 1, you will be making an investment that can bring valuable returns to you and your business.

As with any other expense, you should understand the costs of its benefits. By attending the 2009 IRgA Convention, you’ll get the highest return on your training dollars by tapping into the collective wisdom of the reprographics community. You will learn tips, tricks and innovative approaches that you can directly apply without having to hire outside consultants to provide the same knowledge – saving you thousands of dollars and giving you the competitive advantage.

As your company begins to budget for 2009, don’t forget to invest in your business by allocating dollars to attend the one event that will pay dividends year after year. Visit the Attendee Resource Center for additional details.

You're fighting for market share. You're fighting to make your numbers. You need a team that works as one. You need a team that works for the same goals. You need a team that knows not only how to plan a mission, but how to execute that mission flawlessly from start to finish.

The 2009 IRgA Annual Convention & Trade Show will help you win your battles with its first scheduled keynote speaker – the Afterburner Fighter Pilots. On Thursday, April 30, a team of real Fighter Pilots from across the globe will lead a special keynote presentation to help your leadership teams improve execution and lead more effectively.

The Annual Convention & Trade Show, which will be held April 29 - May 1, 2009 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., is the largest gathering of reprographers in the world. It’s a one-stop shop to learn about new products and technologies, network with colleagues and walk away with innovative business strategies from industry insiders.

The 2009 Annual Convention & Tradeshow Exhibitor Prospectus is now available online. Exhibitors, this is your key resource to access IRgA attendee demographics, sponsorship and marketing opportunities, exhibit hall floor plan and exhibit forms. Reach your target audience of highly focused reprographers, most of whom are making purchasing decisions in their respective areas of expertise. Nine out of 10 are at management level or above and want to hear first-hand about your products and services. Visit the Exhibitor Resource Center for additional details.

The IRgA recently released the results of the 3rd Quarter 2008 Reprographers Survey, which is a members-only benefit. The quarterly economic trends study was conducted independently for the IRgA by the research group within Robert W. Baird Company. The IRgA has engaged Baird as an independent researcher with a strong reputation for conducting quality research within the investment community. The IRgA reprographer members have the opportunity to participate in the research study itself and the entire membership is able to benefit from the industry trends data.

The Q3 2008 Reprographers Survey featured responses from 61 IRgA member companies. Key findings include:

• Q3 business was below expectations;
• Respondents reported that revenue was down -1.3 percent on average during the quarter; by comparison, average revenue growth was flat (0.0 percent) in Q2 2008; and
• Respondents expect revenue growth to decrease over the next six months vs. a forecasted modest increase in the last survey.

The full survey, is available at the IRgA Web site. Your IRgA Web site username and password is required. If you know your login but can't remember your password, click on “Reset my password.” If you do not know your login or password, please call the IRgA Headquarters toll-free at 800.833.4742.

As an active IRgA member company, you and your colleagues have free access to live and archived Webinars where you can gain tips and tricks from industry insiders.

The IRgA recently updated its Webinar archive with its most recent presentation: “Meeting the CD Challenge.” This session, which took place on Oct. 8, was moderated by Bill Schaberg, IRgA Education Committee member and included reprographic consultant panelists Gerry Burns, ARC; Rock Gremillion, A&E - The Graphics Complex; and Dan Mulrooney, ARC.

The panel addressed three different questions regarding their own experience with CDs:

• What has been your experience in “selling against” the idea of creating CDs?
• How do you maximize revenue when selling the CDs you make?
• What are you doing to capture as much print revenue as possible from the CDs you create and distribute?

In addition, the IRgA also recently announced its next Webinar – “Rightsizing Your Company” – and it is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Jan. 14. For more information and a full archive list, visit www.IRgA.com.

ARC Acquires Texas-Based Reprographics Fort Worth, Inc. 

American Reprographics Company (NYSE: ARP) announced the acquisition of Reprographics Fort Worth, Inc., a provider of document management, document reproduction and related services to the architectural, engineering and construction industry in Central Texas.

Reprographics Ft. Worth employs 61 people and operates four centralized service facilities in Ft. Worth, Dallas, Arlington, and Roanoke, Texas. As with the majority of ARC operating divisions, the 22-year-old firm provides a range of both conventional and digital reprographic services including document management and fulfillment, black & white reproduction and bid management services. It also operates a related business under the trade name "Color Solutions" to provide marketing collateral and other specialty color work to non-construction related businesses. The company reported sales of $7.3 million in 2007. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. READ MORE

In Other News…
Océ ColorWave 600 Large-Format Color Printer Wins Must See ‘em Honors at Graph Expo Show
ReproMAX Members Recognize Canon as Integrated Vendor of the Year
Ricoh Completes Acquisition of IKON Office Solutions
LexJet Unveils Complimentary Assessment Program
Mutoh America Inc. Announces Mubiohybrid.com
Roland’s New 30” VersaUV Inkjet Printer/Cutter Wins Prestigious DPI Product of the Year Award
Mutoh America Hires New Midwest Regional Sales Manager
C2 Reprographics Hires Julie Cunningham as Key Account Manager

8 Ways to Survive (and Thrive) in a Down Economy

By Ed Avis

With the economy suffering, you probably are scrambling with ideas to save money. But business experts — including some veteran reprographics shop owners — say that the best defense against a slowing economy may be a tougher offense.

This article originally appeared in the September/October issue of Repro Report, which is available for download at the IRgA Web site. Your IRgA Web site username and password is required to enter the archive area. If you know your login but can't remember your password, click on “Reset my password.” If you do not know your login or password, please call the IRgA Headquarters toll-free at 800.833.4742.