Since 2019, the world has changed. The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across businesses worldwide. During 2020 as the virus spread, we saw markets disappear nearly overnight as in-person trade shows, conferences, and events were canceled. Some companies were forced to close their doors entirely or severely restrict their operations. The economic damage is something businesses are still getting a handle on. On the surface, the numbers for 2022 are encouraging.
According to the State of the Industry (SOI) Update, First Quarter 2022 (produced by PRINTING United Alliance and NAPCO Research), 64.3% of SOI participants expect their sales to grow during the first half of 2022, three times the 19.6% who expect sales to remain at year-earlier levels or to decline. Nearly half are projecting growth of at least 10%, and more than one-quarter are projecting growth of at least 15%. However, if you dig deeper a different picture emerges.
Cost inflation is rampant. More than 88% of the survey panel expect their operating costs to increase during the first half of 2022 because of inflation. Particularly concerning, 47.6% expect operating cost inflation to rise faster than sales.
Margins are under pressure. While nearly two-thirds expect to increase sales through midyear, just 37.5% expect to increase pre-tax profitability, as cost inflation and greater resistance to price increases make it difficult to get growth to the bottom line.
No relief is expected. Material shortages, cited by 92.3%, and rising substrate costs, cited by 85.8%, are expected to be major problems throughout 2022. So are rising costs of labor (71.4%), transportation (70.3%), ink/toner (59.9%), and energy (50.2%). Nearly 69% expect labor shortages to continue. Nearly 55% are very concerned about maintaining profitability, and almost as many are very concerned about increasing sales.
AN EVENT EXPERIENCE FOR ALL
How can we combat this “new normal”? Business owners need to be vigilant and aggressive. Additionally, they need to plan now for how they can make improvements in their business. But what kind of improvements?
- Increase productivity. Look at capital investments in new equipment/software and upgrades. Automation — and better use of MIS — can help streamline workflow and increase efficiency.
- Increase labour productivity. Beyond automation, build workforce skills and flexibility by training, cross-training, and employee development.
- Stay ahead of supply chain disruptions. Strengthen inventory management and purchasing.
- Diversify the revenue base. Add products and services, and seek to enter new markets.
Business owners must arm themselves with the most up-to-date and relevant market information, and position it alongside the hardware and technology required to bring those plans to fruition. The best place to accomplish all those goals will be at the 2022 PRINTING United Expo.
The Expo will welcome exhibitors and attendees from around the world to experience the latest technology and solutions to be found across two halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center — North and Central — where the industry will once again reunite under one roof for the first time since we were last in Dallas for PRINTING United Expo 2019. “The biggest names in the industry have waited to launch technology for those attending from around the world and are anticipating a blockbuster show,” says Mark J. Subers, President, PRINTING United Expo. “There are solutions from all aspects of printing being represented, and this will be the first chance for those in North America in years to gather all under one roof to see and experience everything together. From entry-level operators to President and CEOs — we are getting registrations for them all.”
More than 700 exhibitors occupying one million square feet (bring your walking shoes!) have signed up to exhibit at the three-day event. Leaders in apparel decoration, commercial, graphics/wide-format, industrial and printed electronics, mailing, shipping, and fulfillment, packaging and labels, textiles and décor, and promotional products will run live demonstrations of their solutions throughout the live event.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see product launches of the latest industry technology, experience new solutions, explore potential new areas for business growth, and more. “The PRINTING United Expo will be the single most important industry event to attend in 2022,” Subers says. “The Expo’s convergent market approach will equip attendees with the necessary information and insight from experts on how to successfully adopt a diverse strategy — and they will be able to see these end-to-end solutions and services all under one roof.”
HAPPENINGS AT THE SHOW
While the real draw of the Expo is the volume of exhibitors and the new technology debuts, there’s more in store for attendees to experience this year.
Keynote Speaker Theater
Located in N110, PRINTING United Expo will feature a Keynote Education Program Series that will inform and inspire attendees at the Expo. Speakers being selected for the Keynote Speaker Program Series are highly sought-after minds offering keen level of detail and insight into important subject matter areas to help attendees walk away with usable and inspiring ideas.
The first keynote to be announced is speaking on “6 Steps to Building a Loyal Customer Base (that Will Continually Buy from You),” presented by renowned marketing industry superstar – Joe Pulizzi. Others are; Louis Dejoy, the Postmaster General & CEO of U.S. Postal Service who will be speaking on “Transforming the U.S Postal Service”; Benny Landa, Chairman & Founder, Landa Group that will speak on “Social & Business Success: How Diversity, Inclusion And Other Social Values Can Drive Engagement And Growth”; and Bill Pope, VP, Technical Services – PRINTING United Alliance on “Expanded Gamut Printing and the Not-So-Well-Known Benefit”.
In speaking with past attendees, and in conducting research on the type of education preferred by the industry, PRINTING United Expo education this year takes on a different format, which directly speaks to the demand of a higher quality and level of education offered than ever before.
Apparel Zone
Apparel decoration methods will unite in this immersive show floor experience showcasing the various application methods, technologies, and equipment, from short-run to commercial solutions. The latest techniques in screen printing, DTG, dye-sublimation, embroidery, heat-applied graphics, DTF, and other printing technologies will be at your fingertips to explore.
Attendees can visit the Café and Beer Garden throughout the day to network and partake in coffee/beer service, take in a live podcast from renowned industry experts, and get hands on with the latest equipment. Of special note, this year PRINTING United Alliance will be partnering with U.S. Vets. Founded by veterans to serve veterans, U.S. Vets is the leading nonprofit fighting on the frontlines to help veterans and their families transition from homelessness by offering tailored support to gain independence. Any monies raised in this zone will be donated to U.S. Vets at the end of the event.
Additionally, since decorated apparel is a primary revenue generator for the nonprofit, overrun samples produced over the course of the three-day event will be donated to U.S. Vets for sale or use in support of their cause. “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to help further this vital and foundational printing industry segment,” says Joshua Carruth, Managing Director, Decorated Apparel, PRINTING United Alliance. “In the ever diversifying and converging world of print, apparel decoration has never been more popular or accessible as product solution for the end customers. We firmly believe there is massive potential for increased share of market to be had by all — for both the traditional decorators and PSPs looking to add apparel to their product range. The Apparel Zone will provide 360° view of what’s available in the space today, and serve as an interactive educational experience for all.”
Museum of Printing
The Museum of Printing will bring historical artifacts for attendees to see and experience. The display will be located in between show halls by the registration desk. Autographed books by Frank Romano will be on hand, along with information about the Museum of Printing, which is located in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Keep an eye out for more to come about this historical addition to the show.
U.N.I.T.E. Together
PRINTING United Alliance joined forces with the U.N.I.T.E. Together movement to support Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. U.N.I.T.E. Together empowers and reinforces a collective commitment to embrace and celebrate all that makes us unique, and demonstrates that all are welcome, valued, and heard. The organization will have a booth on the show floor, with events planned with contributing partners of the group.
LATIN American Pavilion
The Latin American countries have strong printing communities and PRINTING United Alliance, being a member of Conlatingraf, serves this full group of printers, manufacturers/dealers, suppliers, and associations. For this year’s Expo, the Alliance has developed a Latin American Pavilion to address their specific needs while connecting them with other markets.
This area of the Expo floor will be sponsored by Conlatingraf and many exhibitors, and will host a series of booths for Latin American dealers. This will allow the community the ability to explore new opportunities and equipment across the full floor and connect with the dealers and suppliers who serve their specific markets. The Pavilion will also be the epicenter of technology tours and social gatherings. In addition to the Pavilion of the floor, the Expo will serve as the meeting place for the 86th Ordinary Assembly of the Confederation. The Alliance is pleased that this esteemed group has chosen the Expo as their preferred meeting place.
“The Latin American printing community is a very important part of our overall printing community and we welcome them to PRINTING United Expo in Vegas,” says Gabe Hernandez, President and CEO, Florida Graphics Alliance. “The Expo will be the largest and most diverse printing event in the world for 2022 and this community will play a role in making this the best event possible. From Canada to Chile, PRINTING United Expo is the event for the Americas and beyond.”
For more information about PRINTING United Expo, and to register to attend, please visit www.printingunited.com
© Culled from www.apparelist.com
