by: Dianna Brodine It's rare to hear good news out of Detroit these days. Concerns about the automotive industry hang over the city like a dark cloud, and Detroit has become the media symbol of the downturn in the nation's economy. However, Cadillac Looseleaf Products, Inc. isn't letting its suburban Detroit location slow it down. The company, which celebrated its 80th year in … [Read more...] about Cadillac Looseleaf Products: Loose Leaf Goes Digital In Detroit
Articles
Pay It Forward with Needed Training and Preventive Maintenance
by: Steven Calov, Heidelberg USA Difficult economic conditions and depressed sales of new bindery equipment have imbued issues relating to maintenance and training with fresh urgency. Although binderies will always be production oriented, they also should understand that their ability to improve production efficiency and reduce their total cost of ownership is tied to … [Read more...] about Pay It Forward with Needed Training and Preventive Maintenance
Best Practices for Paper Cutter Knives
by: Woody Powers II, Jorson & Carlson A knife supplier or servicing company with expertise in knife quality, knife handling and product application, as well as the know-how to install cutting knives properly, can provide useful best practices to improve cut quality and increase knife life. In most cases, implementing new procedures will increase quality and production time … [Read more...] about Best Practices for Paper Cutter Knives
Custom Binding: Dedicated Customer Service Meets DIY Convenience
by: Renée Varella Today's loose leaf market offers a range of options for consumers who want it all – whether that be the convenience of ordering custom binders through a strictly "do-it-yourself" online service or the attraction of learning about all of the custom features available from an experienced customer service rep. In this article, The Binding Edge explores different … [Read more...] about Custom Binding: Dedicated Customer Service Meets DIY Convenience
Perfect Binding Technology Follows the Digital Flow
by: James Tressler, C.P. Bourg, Inc. Nothing has changed the face of perfect binding technology faster or more completely than the digital technologies used to create, prepare and print pages. Page layout and text editing software, digital photography and image editing, Internet distribution, job prep, and short-run digital printing – all are powerful forces pushing the … [Read more...] about Perfect Binding Technology Follows the Digital Flow
Financial Metrics for Managers
by: Gerry A. Michael, CPA, CMA, MBA It's pretty clear that this is not a "happy time" in the graphic arts industry. We've seen the economic climate this bad before, but knowing that things have been worse before is little consolation to a company in the midst of the battle now. The simple fact is that in the next few years, a lot of companies in the industry are likely to be … [Read more...] about Financial Metrics for Managers
Diecrafters, Inc.: Common Sense Leadership, Steady Growth
by: Bob Windler Editor's Note: Diecrafters, Inc. is located in Cicero, Illinois. The company identifies itself primarily as a finisher, providing diecutting, foil stamping and embossing, and specialty folding/gluing. Approximately 15 percent of its annual sales come from bindery services. A member of the Binding Industries Association (BIA) for more than twenty years, owner … [Read more...] about Diecrafters, Inc.: Common Sense Leadership, Steady Growth
Folding Gets Futuristic: Embracing Technology for Ultimate Efficiency
by: Trish Witkowski, Finishing Experts Group, Inc. Just about every step in the print production process has been modernized - but the one real holdout is folding. Yes, programmable folding machinery has been around for several years, and there are automated folding systems that can do incredible things. However, until folding itself goes digital, automation alone will not be … [Read more...] about Folding Gets Futuristic: Embracing Technology for Ultimate Efficiency
Five Strategies for Guaranteeing Customer Loyalty
by Robert W. Lucas, Creative Presentation Resources Customer retention has always been one of the most cost-effective ways to increase business revenue. According to the international consulting firm Bain & Company, you can increase profits by as much as 95 percent through increasing retention by as little as 5 percent. If organizations fail to focus their efforts on … [Read more...] about Five Strategies for Guaranteeing Customer Loyalty
The ‘Green’ Direction: Binding and Loose Leaf Companies Weigh in on Sustainability
by: Renée Varella Although the "green" phenomenon has not swept binderies or loose leaf manufacturers like it has other industries, several authorities in the field say it is just a matter of time. Reasons for both types of companies to address the sustainability issue range from "It's the right thing to do for the environment" and "Customers are demanding green options" to "A … [Read more...] about The ‘Green’ Direction: Binding and Loose Leaf Companies Weigh in on Sustainability