For the last several years, Lean Manufacturing has been growing in the printing and packaging industries. The problem printers have had with Lean is they have felt there are too many variables and that Lean applies to manufacturers that make widgets or automobiles.
PITTSBURGH—January 10, 2008—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) and International Cooperation for the Integration of Process in Prepress, Press, and Postpress (CIP4) are excited to announce the formation of a JDF User Group to focus on the implementation of JDF-enabled systems and cross-vendor implementations. The first JDF User Group meeting will be held March 24–25, 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA. The first day starts at 2:00 p.m. at PIA/GATF and will provide a hands-on look at JDF implementations within the facility and a discussion of the challenges to creating successful implementations. Day two will consist of panel discussions, case studies, and peer networking;
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to rain on industry efforts to better define quality expectations in printing. Certainly industry standards, such as SWOP, GRACoL, SNAP and Bridges, are noble and important. These standards seek to help buyers and their print solution providers communicate quality issues more effectively. And when used properly, they are effective. But with the exception of perhaps SNAP, print buyers for the most part aren’t paying that much attention to industry standards. And some print buyers don’t even know what they are.
In a Print Buyers Online.com survey of over 62 top print buyers, buyers were asked “How relevant
ANY TALK concerning the efforts to improve postpress efficiency invariably degrades into a philosophical discussion over what, exactly, entails binding, finishing and friends. Ah yes, there is more than meets the eye, especially when mailing, fulfillment, kitting and other sometimes labor-intensive duties are added to the mix. After all, magazines are more apt to get caught up in discussions about definitions. But a workflow is a workflow, and it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Whatever stands between receiving the order and the truck pulling away from the dock impacts the workflow. While hardware and software manufacturers have yet to devise a tonic that
PITTSBURGH—October 5, 2007—Printing managers from companies across the country recently traveled to the Pittsburgh, PA headquarters of PIA/GATF to attend the inaugural presentation of Lean Manufacturing for Print Managers. This three-day program, one of the industry’s first on the topic, showed printers how to apply the fundamental concepts of Lean for faster turnaround, fewer defects, and lower costs. Attendees learned the eight sources of waste, the use of various Lean tools, strategies for overcoming barriers, and what “living Lean” means for management. It also gave attendees the unique opportunity to participate in a simulated printing plant and measure productivity increases from Lean tools such as
EARLIER THIS year, The Industry Measure, an industry research firm, sent uncomfortable ripples throughout the printing industry when it released a report stating that adoption of Web-to-print had stalled among print providers. While clearly, Web-to-print has not stalled among corporate users—in fact, adoption in this marketplace is accelerating—the fact that the momentum has largely (if not entirely) switched sides has raised a lot of questions. According to “Web-to-Print: A Service Provider’s Perspective” (The Industry Measure, 2007), approximately one-quarter of print providers now offer some kind of Web-to-print solution, whether as a static online store, for creating customized/personalized documents, or for creation and dissemination
PITTSBURGH—September 19, 2007—The Board of Directors of the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) passed a major Key Initiative concerning sustainability during its last Board Meeting. As a result, PIA/GATF has joined with the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) to form one central location for information on sustainable, “green” printing activities. Recently within the printing industry, the importance placed on the level of a company’s “environmental friendliness” has increased dramatically. Many printers are facing a growing number of inquires regarding sustainable printing practices, and according to a recent survey conducted by PIA/GATF, over 90 percent of
DAYTON, OH—August 28, 2007—WorkflowOne announced today that its Goshen, Ind. plant passed a milestone last month, marking one million man-hours - more than four years - without a lost-time accident. The Goshen facility joins over 20 other WorkflowOne plants and warehouses that have gone more than a year without a lost-time accident. WorkflowOne is a leading provider of print and promotional products and supply chain management services across the U.S. The Goshen plant manufactures labels, business forms and other printed items that help organizations operate more efficiently. “Employee safety is a major focus at WorkflowOne,” said Mark Harper, manager of environmental, health, safety and security
PITTSBURGH—June 13, 2007—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF), the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, has announced the appointment of graphic arts industry veteran Eric Neumann as research manager in the organization’s research department. In his new role, Neumann will be responsible for managing the various research efforts and projects the organization performs for its customers, including product development and on-press testing, as well as marketing those services to others in the industry. “Eric’s addition to our team emphasizes the rigor with which we do our research and testing and highlights our department’s high level of professionalism and expertise,” says Dr. Mark Bohan, vice
PITTSBURGH—June 7, 2007—The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) announced the formation of a Center for Lean Practices to assist members with the implementation of Lean Manufacturing practices. The Center will provide consulting, training, publications, and a speaker’s bureau. The association reports that printers are increasingly recognizing the power of applying quality systems to their operations in an effort to reduce defects, expose wasted resources, and improve throughput. Lean Manufacturing is one way for members to meet client demands for faster turnaround, and stay cost competitive while protecting profit margins, according to PIA/GATF. Lean’s focus on driving out waste is also seen as
