Fall 2003                    return to newsletter contents page

FPPA Moves Ahead

Jack Fulton

FPPA President

Greetings from Wisconsin! What a crazy summer! Many of you have endured some very unusually wet weather including hurricanes while others have been in a drought. The good thing is, if you’re reading this message, chances are your doors are still open and your products are still being delivered to your customers.

If you haven’t seen the new FPPA website before, you are getting an outstanding opportunity right now. Like all of us, sometimes we just need a new look. The previous website design provided the FPPA with a great start and was very functional but it was time for a change. If you  

have questions or comments about the new website, please contact FPPA at fppa@ksgroup.org or call 443-640-1045.

From the looks of the most recently completed quarterly outlook survey, most of us are experiencing some growth, but it is sluggish. Our costs are up, we’re losing jobs and profit has been difficult. I spent last week at the AICC (Association of Independent Corrugated Converters) fall meeting and heard much the same things from many of them. I didn’t see many standing up and bragging about their 20% growth. What I did hear was a great deal of discussion surrounding the loss of manufacturing jobs in North America, many going overseas. I’m quite certain each and every one of us could recite stories about business that has been lost by manufacturing leaving our country.

The AICC has been aggressive in addressing this issue for some time and have recently decided to lead a campaign to support buying American goods. They have created a “Make it in America” symbol or logo depicting the North American continent and the words “Make it in America” as a reminder to manufacturers, the general public and legislators that a strong manufacturing base is the guarantor of economic prosperity. They are encouraging all box makers to print this symbol alongside their freight (certification) stamps.

As a North American manufacturer, we are going to find ways to use this logo as well. Besides encouraging use to our box making customers, we have already proposed this symbol to a direct manufacturer who deals with this issue every day and they were thrilled to see someone supporting their plight. I encourage you to read the news release on the FPPA website and see if you can find ways to help support this very important cause. The symbol currently available is very low resolution. As soon as a better one is available, we will pass it along. It’s amazing what a difference awareness can make. Please be part of making EVERYONE aware of this issue!

The 2003 Industry Survey is complete. I haven’t seen the results but I have heard it is quite interesting. If you participated in the survey, you will be receiving a complimentary copy. You may also purchase a copy from the website. This is valuable information about the state of our industry.

The Excellence in Flexo Prepress Awards will be judged at the upcoming Fall Management Workshop. I hope everyone had an opportunity to send some of the great work you do into the competition. Winners will be announced at the annual meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico next March.

Speaking of the Fall Management Workshop, it is set for November 5-6 at the Renaissance Charleston Hotel Historic District in Charleston, South Carolina. It looks like a wonderful venue for a meeting like this and the timing couldn’t be better, especially for those of us from colder climates. We might even be able to work in a little golf as well on this trip.

The Management Development Committee is responsible for planning this event and they have done another great job in putting this together. Along with the Industry Panel chaired by Lee Grantham, you will hear about some very important topics in today’s business climate. The first will be presented by Neil Kuenn, FPPA’s legal counsel. Neil will talk about several legal issues: Trademark Infringement, Product Liability and Harassment. I would venture a guess that everyone will be interested in hearing about these topics.

Mitch Klingher from M.S. Ackerman & Co. LLC will cover the topic of Mergers & Acquisitions. This should be interesting to people on both sides of the issue, even if you don’t think it will ever happen to you.

Jim Pancero will then give us all some tips regarding the Sales and Marketing efforts of our businesses. Jim’s a dynamic speaker who should help us evaluate what we’re doing and plan for the future. I spoke with him on the phone and I can’t wait to hear what he has to say.

The main reason we are able to put this event on at a reasonable price in such a wonderful venue is our sponsors. I want to say thank you in advance to Agfa Corporation, All Printing Resources, Anderson Vreeland, Inc., Artwork Systems, BCM Inks, DuPont Imaging Technologies, MacDermid Printing Solutions, Pitman Company and Rogers Corporation. Without them this event would not go on.

The Program Committee is promising us a terrific annual meeting next March in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Information is posted on the FPPA website and will continue as we move closer to this event. Arrangements have been made to offer discounted airfares through American Airlines and we are being encouraged to book early.

Thanks for listening and I hope to see all of you in Charleston!