COMMERCIAL PRINTING -- Running Lean and Mean

Even as print sales have finally started growing again following two years of decline (2001 and 2002), the industry remains very competitive. The number of plants going out of business in a typical year creates a perpetual "going out of business" selling environment for competitors, creating tremendous pricing pressures, Davis explains. He contends that printers need to focus on the bottom line and commit to the "six secrets of success" exploited by the industry's profit leaders: