Ritz Carlton Amelia Island to Host 2006  Convention

Due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Hurricane Katrina, it was necessary for FPPA to relocate its 9^th Annual Convention from New Orleans to Amelia Island, Florida. The new host will be The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. DETAILS

Plate Material Comparison: Test Results

FPPA’s Technology Task Force has invited industry plate material suppliers to participate in a voluntary test program. The Task Force, in cooperation with Clemson University and Flexographic Trade School, have developed the criteria and process by which performance will be measured for narrow web and corrugated projects. Plates will be provided by suppliers and put on press at Clemson and FTS to measure performance criteria. Print samples and plates will be on display during this session.

Dr. Page Crouch will provide a summary of the tests during this session, to demonstrate how each plate material performed during the testing program.

Participating Suppliers: Agfa Corporation, Anderson Vreeland, DuPont Imaging Technologies, MacDermid and XSYS. A panel of participating plate material suppliers will be on hand to answer questions and comment on the test results.

Test Results will be presented at FPPA’s 9^th Annual Convention, March 12-14, 2006.

FPPA Unveils New Supplier Recognition Awards

In order to promote better cooperation between platemakers and suppliers and to assist Associate Members in understanding the needs of their platemaker partners, FPPA has established a Supplier Recognition Awards Program.

Platemaker members will be sent a ballot package in December and asked to rate the supplier companies with whom you are currently doing business. Suppliers will be rated in such areas as sales support, technical support, order fulfillment & customer service, and product enhancement opportunities.

The supplier member receiving the highest overall ratings will be named “Supplier of the Year” at the upcoming Annual Convention in Amelia Island, Florida.

Platemakers – Watch your mailboxes for your ratings sheets in early December. We are striving for 100% participation among our members. DETAILS

Deadline Approaching for Technology Innovator of the Year Award

Don’t miss the chance to submit your entries for this year’s Technology Innovator of the Year Award. FPPA will announce the award winner at its Annual Convention March 12-14, 2005 in Amelia Island, Florida. DETAILS

Maximize Your Investment in FPPA by Volunteering

You’ve undoubtedly heard the old adage, you get out of something what you put into it. No where is that adage more true than participation in a trade association. Those individuals who serve on committees or the board of directors have an opportunity to network with their industry peers on a regular basis, in a unique setting. These participating volunteers typically have an “inside track” on what is occurring in the marketplace.

Take this opportunity to help shape the future of the FPPA and become more plugged in to the industry. DETAILS

FPPA Platemakers Report Higher Demand in 3^rd Quarter Fueled by Digital Plates

According to the most recent Quarterly Outlook Survey, for the period ending September 30, 2005, half of member respondents reported a rise in volume demand over the previous quarter (compared to 36% of respondents last quarter). Fueling the growth appears to be demand for digital plates – 62% of member respondents reported rising demand from the previous quarter for digital plates. See link to full report below.

The FPPA Quarterly Outlook Survey is sent to members to evaluate how recent business performance compares to the industry as a whole. The survey is conducted online and sent to members each quarter. This is a unique opportunity to compare your performance on a regular basis to other companies as well as your own past performance. You can also share your concerns and help direct future surveys by adding comments and questions.

The success of this program depends on the participation of FPPA members to ensure the most representative results. If you did not participate this time, please make a point to take a few minutes to complete the next survey when it is sent to you in October. There is no charge and it only takes about 5 minutes.

Click here to view the full results of the survey from the period ending September 30, 2005.

FPPA Program With APPI Could Spell Savings Amidst Rising Energy Prices

Last year, FPPA introduced the APPI Savings Solutions program.  This new member benefit identifies and implements options that reduce the costs of each member’s energy, utility, and telecommunications services. The number of member companies using the service continues to grow. DETAILS

FPPA Welcomes New Members

FPPA welcomes the following members who have joined the association since our last issue of On-Target.

Preflex Digital Prepress Services

4620 95^th Street SW #D

PO Box 99008

Lakewood, WA  98499

Phone: 253-583-9100

Fax: 253-583-9111

Ken Long 

kenl@preflex.net

Ron Filion

ronf@preflex.net

Day International, Inc.

95 Glenn Bridge Road

Arden, NC  28704

Phone: 828-687-4218

www.day-intl.com

Will Goss, Director of Technology

Will_goss@day-intl.com

John Elia, VP & Business Director, Specialty Products

FPPA Member News

Here is the latest from FPPA members. DETAILS