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PRISM
Strength in numbers
Services like a legal help line and advice on lean manufacturing provide ongoing
support to Prism members at a time when every little helps
MEETING WITH peers and colleagues to discuss the issues everyone is currently Increasingly, the technical advice line is also proving useful, with answers to a
facing ensures you are not alone in these uncertain times. The Prism AGM, which host of queries that printers are faced with on a daily basis. These and a range
is running at Robert Horne in Northampton on 7 May, also provides the of other services provide ongoing support to the membership at a time when
opportunity to improve your company's performance with advice from industry every little helps.
specialists. Despite market conditions, the prevailing attitude in the industry is one of
Not since the Second World War has there has been so much uncertainty. 'trying to get on with things.' This is certainly the case with Fespa Digital in
Seemingly healthy companies can be destroyed by being starved of working Amsterdam, set to run 12 to 14 May. Larger than ever before, the event
capital by the banks or taken down by bad debts. Prism aims to provide demonstrates the optimism in the industry.
members with additional support that can make all the difference to survival. This is in addition to the World Wide Format Survey, which contains some
As electricity and gas prices fluctuate, Prism's energy survey informs members business critical information and is available free to Prism members. This was
of the most competitive price. Others save hundreds of pounds on insurance costs taken in January and showed continued growth in the market for equipment and
with the PrintProtect scheme and probably the most important service is the applications. According to the results, most print service providers are optimistic
legal help line that has saved the membership tens of thousands of pounds. about their business and are expecting the market to bounce back.
According to Prism, the majority of its members are beavering away - not
necessarily aiming for sales growth, but maintaining their profitability with
initiatives for waste minimisation and lean manufacturing. Far from being simply
a means of generating work for consultants, lean manufacturing helps achieve
best practice in all aspects of manufacturing, creating more
value with less work.
The techniques encompassed within lean manufacturing
are aimed at identifying and eliminating waste on an ongoing
basis. As waste is reduced, so quality improves, while
production time and costs are reduced. From the manufacturers
perspective, there is an increase in profitability without having to increase
turnover, and from the customers viewpoint, quality and service improve.
In a static or declining market, there are real gains to be had in adopting
these principles. Take a look at what you do and how you do it and whatever
improvements you make, send the cost saving right to the bottom line.
Talking to Prism can help members to understand and implement
lean manufacturing successfully, utilising the strength of its
combined expertise.
Prism is a member of Fespa and the UK association for print
specialists and manufacturers. For more information on Prism, go to
www.prismuk.org. If you have any comments or questions, please call
When times get tough, there is strength in numbers on 01737 240792.
Visit us online at www.spdi-online.com May 09 | Screen Process & Digital Imaging | 27
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