Welcome to xpedx Online Workshops!

The material presented in this section of the xpedx web site is dedicated to you, the In-plant manager. We hope you will find the insights and materials most helpful in managing your organization.

We are aware of the challenges you face regarding the threat of closure, in favor of a decision to outsource. This is also of concern to xpedx, as your industry has historically been a very important part of our total business.

It might be comforting to know that the same concerns are at the forefront of individual business owners within the "print for profit" industry. The issue is one of survival and growth. Failure to grow in either industry typically results in progressive business erosion and ultimately, business failure.

The materials we offer are primarily the contribution of two print-for-profit business owners. Coincidentally, they once consulted extensively within the In-plant industry. Since 1995, they have traveled throughout the country (and Canada) presenting the very information we are making available to you on this web site. At the same time, they continue the day-to-day "fight in the trenches" attempting to not only survive, but to profitably grow their business in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

In summary, their business has been in continuous transition. The transition has been driven by basically two dynamics: (1) advances in digital imaging technologies and (2) the necessity to selectively deploy these technologies to satisfy customer needs.

Prime Digital Printing is a five million dollar, totally digital operation utilizing a Heidelberg NexPress, Quick Master Direct Image (QMDI), computer-to-plate (CTP), two Xerox DocuTechs, an Epson wide format printer, a UV coater and mail and fulfillment capabilities.  The company specializes in high-impact variable color marketing programs that involve extensive database management.  Additionally, a sophisticated e-procurement system supports the entire operation providing a seamless  workflow and real time proofing and reporting.

Gary and Don will readily tell you that their business "isn't getting any easier". On the contrary, the bar for survival and growth continues to be raised almost weekly. In a sense, they must progressively "reinvent" their company in order to satisfy existing and emerging customer expectations. They try hard to make printing and its associated services more than a commodity item.

Their overriding message to In-plant managers since 1995 can be simply paraphrased ---  "today's In-plant manager must operate every day as if the In-plant were their own business". In a sense, it really is. It is within this context that we offer you this web site.

Gary and Don's contributions are supplemented with expertise supplied by  Ed Daniel. Ed is the principal consultant of Document Communication Technologies. Ed has over 25 years experience in the printing industry, including over 15 years as a consultant to In-plants, end users and providers of printing and communication services. His emphasis has largely focused upon electronic information flow, digital prepress, print-on-demand, and forms automation.

The xpedx in-plant team:
 

We wish you all the best as you reposition and reinvent your business in the coming months and years ahead. Please use this resource material and the live xpedxworkshops to capitalize upon the many new opportunities that continue to emerge for the innovative and aggressive In-plant.