DMIA's Award-Winning E-Mail Newsletter for Members Only
August 20, 2004

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NEWS

Tampa Companies Survive Hurricane Charley
Many printing companies in Tampa, Fla., which were prepared for the worst, escaped undamaged Aug. 13 as category 4 Hurricane Charley produced only rain and winds in the area. The hurricane, with 145 mph winds, caused devastation in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte communities as it marched across the state, from southwest to northeast, causing at least $11 billion worth of damage and killing 19 people. The hurricane crossed the prime citrus-growing territory, where about a third of Florida's $1.5 billion crop is grown.

Jim Maxwell, owner of Yankee Southern Graphics, a manufacturer in the Tampa region of Parrish, Fla., said the company had covered its equipment and turned off the power at the plant on Aug. 12. "Our main concern was losing our cement roof, but we got very lucky."

Maxwell said he wanted to help printers whose businesses were damaged, but couldn't contact them because many areas were without power and telephone service. "I would love to try and help these guys," he said. "If they need forms, then I can print them at a very low price to keep them in business." Approximately 640,000 households are still without power, which may be restored end of this week. The E-Weekly tried to contact Punta Gorda-based distributorship A TO Z Marketing Inc., but the company's telephones were out of service.

Jan Weaver, president of Tampa, Fla.-based distributorship ArtForm ink, said, "we were lucky that we were spared. The storm hit 100 miles south of us." Although the distributorship wasn't in the evacuation zone, Weaver spent Aug. 13 preparing for the hurricane. She and her husband filled up bathtubs and kept batteries ready, but didn't board up their house. There was steady rain in the area and strong winds. The company closed offices on Aug. 13, but everything is on schedule, Weaver said.

<http://www.wbf.com> Wise Business Forms Implements Check 21 Capabilities
Wise Business Forms, Alpharetta, Ga., announced the implementation of Check 21 safety and compliance capabilities that will impact the check payment processing system in two ways:

 * Fostering system innovations without requiring receipt of checks in electronic format

 * Facilitating check truncation by eliminating the original paper document from the bank routing procedure and replacing it with a scanned or printed image

The Check 21 Act goes into effect Oct. 28. It requires original paper checks to meet specific scanning standards. Checks that fall short of the criteria can be assigned a processing fee and banks can refuse to process sub-standard checks. The company's Alpharetta facility has installed a state-of-the-art image qualifying system that scans checks, tests essential security areas, including backgrounds and provides a detailed report of document compliance.

<http://www.meadwestvaco.com> MeadWestvaco Buys Brazil's Tilibra
MeadWestvaco Corp., Stamford, Conn., bought Tilibra SA Produtos de Papelaria, a family-owned producer of consumer and office products based in Brazil. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Tilibra was founded in 1928 and employs 1,000 people in the city of Bauru, Sao Paulo. The company makes school, home and office products for the retail and commercial stationery markets.

<http://www.ssa.gov> SSA Announces Tax Filing Changes
The Social Security Administration will discontinue magnetic media filing for companies with 250 or more employees after the 2004 tax season, and requires the companies to file electronically for the 2005 tax year. Jim Magdaleno of manufacturer TFP Data Systems, Oxnard, Calif., said it's an ideal time for distributors to contact customers and inform them of the change. The manufacturer has service bureaus that allow customers to file electronically and have paper copies of W-2s and 1099s printed and mailed directly to their employees or recipients. The company also prints tax forms on recycled paper.

<http://www.staples.com> Staples' 2Q Profit Up 39 Percent
Riding strong sales across its office products portfolio, Staples Inc., Framingham, Mass., reported a 39 percent jump in net income. It also announced its acquisition of two supply businesses in Europe--expanding its presence to 15 countries--and a joint venture investment in China that marks Staples' first foray into the nation's $25 billion-a-year office products market. For the 3-month period ending July 31, Staples reported net income of $122.5 million, or 24 cents per share, compared with a profit of nearly $88 million, or 18 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Revenue grew 9 percent to $3.09 billion from $2.83 billion a year earlier.

<http://www.weyerhaeuser.com> Weyerhaeuser Integrates Wilton Connor Packaging
Wilton Connor Packaging, Charlotte, N.C., officially became part of Federal Way, Wash.-based Weyerhaeuser's Retail Experience Network and a cornerstone for the company's two other retail centers to be opened by year-end in Chicago and Los Angeles. The network integrates retail knowledge and turnkey solutions with nationwide printing and packaging expertise to meet customers' retail-specific needs. Products and services include creative and structural design, primary packages, point-of purchase displays, contract packaging/fulfillment, logistics and project management.

<http://www.kodak.com> Eastman Kodak Unit to Buy <http://www.buhrmann.com/> Buhrmann Assets
Eastman Kodak Co.'s NexPress Solutions unit agreed to purchase certain assets of Buhrmann NV's digital sales and service business for the Kodak NexPress 2100 digital production color presses and Kodak Digimaster digital production systems. Eastman Kodak, Rochester, N.Y., said the agreement covers several European countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Spain, as well as major cities in Italy.

Stamps of Individuality Push the Envelope
<http://www.stamps.com> Stamps.com announced a service that allows people to design their own postage--from kids to cats to corporate logos--on their computers. "It makes mailing a little more exciting," says Stamps.com CEO Ken McBride. The company, which is based in Santa Monica, Calif., received exclusive permission from U.S. Postal Service to test their product, dubbed PhotoStamps. <http://www.usatoday.com/tech/techinvestor/2004-08-10-stamps_x.htm?POE=click-refer> Full story.

Return Your 2005 Buyers' Guide Proof or Listing Form Now!
Manufacturers and suppliers: Print Solutions Magazine is editing its 2005 Buyers' Guide, which will be published in October. If your company was listed last year, you should have received a proof of that listing in the mail. If your firm wasn't listed last year, <http://www.printsolutionsmag.com/pdf/05_BGListingForm.pdf> click here to download a blank form. Fax your completed proof or form to (703) 549-4966. (Proofs were mailed last week--you should have yours by now. Please review it now.)  Email digital logos and/or product photos to <mailto:abrown@dmia.org> Andrew Brown, assistant editor. Print Solutions' 31,000 readers include distributors of business forms, labels, commercial printing, tags, promotional products and other printing. The Buyers' Guide is your opportunity to let distributors know what you offer. For more information, call Print Solutions at (800) 336-4641.

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SOLUTION OF THE WEEK

Selling at Face Value

Linda Swanson concentrates on counseling customers, not selling tax forms. Her face-to-face sales strategy seals deals and is part of "the whole magic," she describes, explaining that her database is filled with long-time customers, including some she has had for 15 years. "People buy from people who take care of them," says Swanson, account executive at distributorship Shamrock Solutions, Grand Rapids, Mich.
<http://www.dmia.org/sol_center/enewsletter/enews_articles/sow082004.html> Full story.

SALES AND MARKETING TIP

Blogs: The Latest Marketing Killer
Online businesses have new opportunities to promote themselves and study customers. <http://ecommerce.internet.com/news/insights/trends/article/0,,10417_3395651,00.html> Full story.

E-COMMERCE SPOTLIGHT

How to Increase E-Commerce Conversions
Here are some thoughts on boosting conversion rates and recommendations on simple shopping cart software. <http://ecommerce.internet.com/how/customers/article/0,,10363_3394391,00.html> Full story.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Pantone® Ultimate Survival Kit
Each kit contains a color formula guide solid coated, a color formula guide solid matte, a color formula guide solid uncoated, a process guide coated, a process guide uncoated and a process color system guide. Code: PSWOP. $242. To order, visit DMIA's <http://www.dmia.org/about/prod_cat_logon.html> online product catalog, or contact
<mailto:tdavis@dmia.org> Tina Davis.

HOT SITES

<http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php> Everything from Everywhere
This mighty site collects data from a number of official sources. Ever needed to know which country exports the most mushrooms to the United States? Suspect the United States is overtaxed compared to other nations? It's all here. <http://www.nationmaster.com/index.php> Visit the site.

<http://realgm.com/> The Real GM
Basketball fantasy leaguers know that a general manager's lot isn't all sports appreciation and good seats: The business of sports these days involves a lot of numbers-crunching. If you're a fan, the site can hook you up with some excellent basic numbers-crunching tools for free.
<http://realgm.com/> Visit the site.

WHAT'S NEW AT DMIA?

Fun and Value at Print Solutions 2004 Conference and Expo
DMIA has added so much fun and value to this year's Print Solutions 2004 Conference and Expo, Rosemont, Ill., Oct. 4-7, it's now a can't-miss entry on everyone's calendar. Take a look at these benefits:

 * It's free. We'll pay your Expo registration fee if you're a DMIA member! <http://www.printsolutionsshow.com/registration.html> Register online and take advantage of the savings.

 * Here's another money-saver: affordable hotel rates. We have rooms blocked from $119 to $165/night!

 * NEW products, NEW services and NEW programs. Watch for announcements from the Major League Manufacturers and many other registered exhibitors. (To read about exhibitors, visit <http://www.printsolutionsshow.com> www.printsolutionsshow.com.)

 * High-margin products and the knowledge you need to sell them. Learn about products that generate 30 percent gross margin or higher, and visit product briefing theaters on the show floor.

 * Conference education specifically for owners, managers, sales representatives and customer service reps.

 * Major industry keynote speakers, including the presidents of Relizon and Cenveo (formerly Mail-Well) and the former president of Corporate Express, will share their views of the industry's future and where they're positioning their companies. Robert Cronin, former chairman and CEO of Wallace, will moderate the session.

 * Party time! The event includes an optional night on the town in Chicago; a Beatles 40th Anniversary Celebration featuring "Beatlemania Live!", sponsored by MeadWestvaco; a '50s sock hop celebrating Appleton's 50 years of selling carbonless paper; receptions for new DMIA members and vintage members; free beer in DMIA's booth; and more.

 * Cash! Check out games on the floor with on-the-spot cash payoffs totaling $5,000! Also, win two trips for two to Hawaii, including airfare and hotel. And don't forget the World Series Trivia Quiz, sponsored by the Major League Manufacturers. The winner will receive tickets for two to a World Series game, plus hotel.

Digital Media Curriculum from Print University
The Digital Media Curriculum, a blended e-learning, home study and in-residence program, includes prepress overview, electronic prepress and Acrobat training as well as a full day of PDF training by Dr. John Leininger of Clemson University. This on-site session will be held Oct. 6 at DMIA's Print Solutions Conference & Expo, Rosemont, Ill. Offered at $995 per student, it's only $775 if you register before Sept 13. Questions? Call <mailto:hcarter@dmia.org> Harriet Carter, CDC, or <mailto:ltucker@dmia.org> Lloyd Tucker at (800) 336-4641. <http://www.printuniversity.org/DigMediaCur/DigMediaCur.html> Register online now.

TOP TEN

Here are the top unusual source requests received by DMIA:

 1. Medical Swab Envelope; 8 1/2" x 3"; prints black ink; peal & seal flap; Blue; Pink; Yellow and White stock; QTY=2.5M-5M of each color

 2. Tissue Boxes; prints 1-4cp; QTY=5M

 3. Paper Sleeve to hold vinyl record albums; open side; double outside side seam;  7 1/8" x 7" with an 3 1/4" oval cutout and 12 1/8" x 11 3/4"  with an 4" oval cutout; QTY=250M-500M-1MM

 4. Marbles; approximately 16 per mesh bag; client's logo will print on tag; QTY=500 bags

 5. Mobil/Portable Fax Machines; QTY=1-5

 6. Stock Hospital Menu Shells; laser compatible; QTY=14M

 7. Styrofoam Cups; prints 3-4 colors; cups will be provided; QTY=500-1M

 8. Wrist Pedometers; QTY=50-100

 9. Contract Printing; silkscreen onto 16 oz. aluminum tumblers; prints 3 colors; QTY=100

 10. Cotton work gloves with PVC dots; QTY=100-500

If you have a source request--for anything--call the Hotline at (800) 333-2828 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, or use the <http://64.115.51.134/index.htm> Source Hotline Database online. For new sales ideas every day, try our <http://www.dmia.org/dmiasearch/am_pm/search/index.cfm> 1,000 Sales Ideas Database. Manufacturers, if you produce any of these items and would like to check your listing with the Source Hotline, please email <mailto:crush@dmia.org> Cheryl Rush.

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The E-weekly is designed by Christine Kenny and edited by Preeti Vasishtha with contributions from Darin Painter
and Andy Brown.

Contact us at <mailto:eweekly@printsolutionsmag.com> eweekly@printsolutionsmag.com. Visit Print Solutions Magazine at <http://www.printsolutionsmag.com>  www.printsolutionsmag.com.
To advertise, <mailto:ckelly@dmia.org?subject=Interested_in_E-Weekly_Advertising&cc=bholt@dmia.org> click here.

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