PrintImage International recently conducted its 2003 Quick Print Pulse Survey concerning new services and equipment trends in the quick print/copy and small commercial printing markets. More than 100 association members participated in the survey. The data collected helped clarify a picture of profit leaders in the industry.
A key statistic tracked was Sales Per Employee (SPE), an area in which profit leaders widened the gap between their businesses and the bottom third of association members. Overall sales of profit leaders ($1.5 million) was approximately 30% higher than the bottom third ($1.19 million). Their SPE figures were 55% higher ($141,728 vs. $92,159).
Employee knowledge and equipment upgrades were also key differentiating factors between profit leaders and the bottom third. In addition, under “current and future services,” profit leaders listed large-format color printing and document/product fulfillment as their top choices. The bottom third listed variable-data mailing, scanning-to-archive, and ad specialties as their choices.
Emulating the practices of profit leaders is one of the ways members can increase their bottom line. “Knowing what successful shops are doing to enhance profitability is always a benefit,” notes Steve Johnson, president of PrintImage. “These results can help do that.”
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PrintImage is a trade association of more than 1300 members representing the quick printing, copying, and small commercial printing industries. (PrintImage International: www.printimage.com)