OCTOBER 2012

Global Imaging Opens Unique Workflow Studio
Global Imaging opens a new 6,500 square foot Workflow Studio. At recent grand opening events, it demonstrated top-of-the-line products including ten-foot wide printers, transfer presses for fabric sublimation, a banner welding machine, RIP software and color management technologies.

The grand opening was grand as Global Imaging executives hosted key industry leaders, manufacturer reps and owners of some of the country's largest printing companies.

Comment from the company's president: "Our Studio is designed to emulate an entire grand format production facility so that a customer can see the most current and cutting edge products available," said Tara Lamb, president of Global Imaging. "Typically customer demonstrations done at manufacturer facilities feature a limited product line. We recognized that it would help customers make better business decisions if they could see how the equipment all came together and worked in conjunction with each other in an effective workflow environment. We have a pre-press area, several types of grand format printing technologies, a digital flatbed cutter, heat press for dye sublimation transfer process and a banner welder to weld banners and graphics together to produce a final image as large as needed."

PaperPlus To Open Store In Indianapolis
PaperPlus -the stores division of Unisource Worldwide, Inc. - is embarking on an aggressive expansion program across the U.S. is opening its newest location in Indianapolis. The new PaperPlus store is currently under construction and set to open early November. Leading the efforts to grow the Indianapolis store's business is store manager Scott Aldridge. Scott has four years of proven experience as an assistant and general manager in the paper stores business. PaperPlus is a chain of wholesale paper stores serving commercial printers, copy shops, local businesses and the general public.

Gene Brett At Graph Expo
Gene Brett, COO, E. Thomas Brett Business Machines, did well at Graph Expo. "Overall, I'd say the show was well attended. More than one exhibitor commented about the higher level of buyers that were at the show.

As for myself, I did a concerted search for niche digital print devices and print finishing equipment. As always we met with existing vendors. The booths with these type of machines were active.

Memjet technology seemed to dominate buyer interest as it did with me. To watch a full color page exit the printer in seconds, instead of in minutes was quite impressive. Although seemingly extraordinary, time will tell how this technology will play out and whether end-users will buy into it.

By the way, the Global Dealer Summit was worth the time. The future of the channel as described by Dr. Joe Webb ought to have vendors looking at the dealer channel with renewed interest. Following his presentation I attended (I.T.Strategies) Marco Boer's session. The guy's right on. Dealers need to constantly look for niche products and he made it clear that not all wide format product lines are for dealers."

Tompkins Supports Vendors
Exhibiting at Graph Expo is an important event for Tompkins Printing Equipment. Although The Tompkins Printing Equipment show booth was manned by the Tompkins brothers, Steve (President) and brother Bill (Vice President), the show plan went beyond the Tompkins booth.

"We had four sales people and three technicians in various vendor booths throughout the show. This technique works well for all concerned. The sales people and technicians learn more about the equipment in those booths by listening, demonstrating and actually supporting the manufacturer's sales group."

As to attendance, Steve commented that this Graph Expo was better than the last as to quality of attendees. In fact he confirmed that statement by telling Dealer Communicator that other exhibitors offered the same comment. However...they did say that orders were not as expected.

"Our booth was the Tompkins Headquarters," stated Steve Tompkins. My brother Bill and I were actively talking with buyers about used equipment alternatives. As a matter of fact, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were non-stop selling opportunities with interested buyers.

DC