| Opportunity
"NOC's" to Save on Energy
A new partnership between Printing Industries of America
and EnerNOC's Demand Response and Energy
Procurement services gives PGAMA members a chance to save
on energy costs. Through EnerNOC Demand Response, printing
facilities are paid to reduce electric usage in response
to electric grid emergencies or high wholesale electricity
prices. Businesses receive payments each quarter for agreeing
to be on standby, regardless of whether or not a demand response
event is called. That means you'll get paid even if you don't
have to power down! Several
PGAMA members have already signed on for this beneficial
program, with rave reviews:
"It's a no-brainer. They pay
you even if they don't need you."
"This program is one of
the easiest ways to be lean and green."
"It helped us monitor
our energy use and see where we could increase savings."
Interested in learning more? Sign up for the EnerNOC Seminar
coming on March 3. Watch your PGAMA communications
for seminar details in the coming weeks!
How
to Comply with New CPSC Children's Book
Regulation
In last week's eNews, we told you about the new Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulation impacting printers.
The regulation goes into affect February 10, so here's what
you need to do to comply. Since the regulation is meant to
keep children's toys and books safe from harmful chemicals,
you must issue a General Certification of Conformity (GCC)
which shows your children's products meet the CPSC standard.
The CPSC does not currently require third party testing.
If you have testing information from your vendors on the
items you incorporate in your product, you may (at least
until August 2009) issue a GCC to customers. For more information
about this topic, go to the Members Only section of pgama.com under
Industry Forms, Facts and Guide Sheets.
Name
Change for GATF
The Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF) has been renamed
the Center for Technology and Research. For over 50 years
GATF provided the printing industry with professional, unbiased,
third-party testing and information, and will continue to
do so through this Center. The name change is part of the
rebranding of Printing Industries of America. PGAMA members,
as affiliate members of Printing Industries of America, have
access to the many free and discounted services provided
by the Center, including: testing of materials, custom research,
reports, articles and presentations, assistance on environmental,
health, and safety issues, technical training, quality and
process controls, consulting, and more. For more about the
Center for Technology and Research, call 800-910-4283 or
email info@printing.org.
Safety
Handbook Mailing
PGAMA will soon be mailing all members a copy of "What You
Need to Know for Safe Equipment Operation." This handbook
can help you reduce the risk of amputations and serious injuries
in the workplace by reminding you about common conditions
and practices, that when overlooked, can contribute to or
cause amputations or serious injuries. Simple tips for dealing
with situations like clearing minor paper james, service
and maintenance activities and dealing with folders, to
name a few, are covered with clear, concise guidelines for
solving the problem safely. This guide is yet another FREE
benefit of your PGAMA membership! Please call the office
if you do not receive a copy of the handbook by February
15.
When
Will Things Get Better?
Economist Dr. Joe Webb has been asked that question a lot
recently. His Four Indicators to an Improving Economy are:
ISM manufacturing and non-manufacturing reports; "proprietors
income" in
the GDP reports; and the NASDAQ stock index. Why are these
factors important? The ISM reports matter because they share
key factors like the numbers of businesses seeking more people.
Proprietors income is a part of the GDP and personal income
reports. It indicates a change in the activity of small businesses,
and small businesses reflect changes in economic decline
more dramatically. Finally, there's the stock market. The
stock market generally indicates a rise in the economy six
months prior to it actually starting. The bottom line is,
the recovery will be slow, just as the situation did not
happen overnight. However, when these four indicators are
all moving in a positive direction, the recovery will be
very real. Read Dr. Webb's complete
article online here.
Time
to Post OSHA 301
Unless you have fewer than 10 employees, your OSHA 301 form
(Accident & Serious Injury Report Log) must be posted
from February 1-April 30, and displayed in a common area
wherever employee notices are usually posted. The summary
must list the total numbers of job-related injuries and illnesses
that occurred in 2008. Even if you had no injuries, you must
post the form with zeros in the total line. You can download
a copy of the form from www.pgama.com in
the Members Only section.
Member
News
Thanks
to member Rusty
Coolidge of Chroma Graphics for
inspiring
some current printing students
by hosting a field trip tour
of his
plant last week. The students
were
from James A. Forrest Career
& Technology Center, and
are
led by instructor Kim Clemments.
Upcoming Events
| January 31 |
Baltimore Litho Club Bull &
Oyster Roast, 1:00-6:00pm
at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore. $33 per
person. For tickets, call Bob at 410-893-2942. |
February
5
|
Maryland Legislators' Reception,
11:30am-1:30pm at the Governor Calvert House in Annapolis,
MD. This annual luncheon is the best way for our Association
to impress the Representatives with the size and strength
of the printing industry, so your presence is vital.
We can only influence business policy by showing we
are a united voice! No charge for first two
executives from a PGAMA member company. Non-member
cost is $75. Call the office to register or sign up
at www.pgama.com. |
| February 10 |
Webinar: Pulling It All Together,
Noon-1:00pm. Xerox continues it's FREE Webinar
Series with this presentation that will help print
providers assess their company's operations, and use
the information to make informed purchasing decisions
to better meet customer needs and increase their capacity
to take on more jobs. Led by Gina Testa, VP of Business
Development for Xerox. Look for email from PGAMA with
registration link! |
| February 12 |
MAGE Dinner Meeting, 5:30-8:30pm
at Copeland's of Columbia (10200 Wincopin Circle, Columbia,
MD.) Find out the secret for successful selling in
a troubled economy from speaker Joe Mechlinski of EntreQuest
during his presentation, "It's Your EQ
Not Your IQ."
Networking is 5:30-6:30, and dinner 6:30-7:30. Presentation
begins at 7:30 to be followed by discussion and more
networking. Cost is $35 for MAGE members, $50
for non-members. Register at www.pgama.com or
call the office, 410-310-0900. |
| February 26 |
Webinar: What is Your Union
Risk? Noon-1:30pm. This webinar is a guided
vulnerability assessment. Participants will walk through
a self-audit of their union risks. If you find your company's
weak spots before the union does, you can immunize yourself
from unionization. Led by lawyer Michael L. Dodd, whose
firm specializes in representing employers with respect
to labor relations and employment law matters. Cost is
$149 for members/$249 for non-members. Call PGAMA to
register, 410-319-0900. |
| February 26 |
Seminar: Planning for
Profit in Tough Economic Times,
9:00am-11:45am at PGAMA. Former AGS President John
Green will teach you how to develop and implement
a proper financial plan for your firm that will
help you increase profits. Designed for businesses
with $1.5-$50 million annual sales.* Cost
is $150 for first company registrant, $75 per additional
attendee from same company. Not open to non-members.
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! If you attend and do not
find it worthwhile, PGAMA will refund your fee!
Register at www.pgama.com or
call the office, 410-319-0900. *Financial planning seminar
for businesses with less than $1.5 million annual
sales coming in April! |
| March 3 |
Seminar: Get a Grip on Energy
Costs with EnerNOC,
9:00-10:30am at PGAMA. Learn more about EnerNOC's Demand
Response program, which PAYS YOU to cut down on electricity
usage when demand is high. Features a Q&A with PGAMA
members already enrolled in the program. NO COST TO
ATTEND! Limited seating--register at pgama.com or call
the office, 410-319-0900. |
| March 12 |
Special Event: Excellence in
Print Awards Banquet,
6:00-10:00pm at Martin's West Ballroom in Baltimore.
Be sure to attend the Association's biggest event of
the year, a night to celebrate print and salute the
best of our industry. Evening opens with networking
while guests enjoy cocktails and very heavy hors'douerves.
Brief awards ceremony follows, then the celebration
continues at Casino Night with plenty of great prizes
for participants. All Casino Night proceeds benefit
the PGAMA Education Trust Fund. Tickets are $55 each
or $525 for a party of 10. Call PGAMA to make reservations,
410-319-0900. |
June 19
Save the Date! |
Save the date to help roast Association
President Art Stowe at his retirement party. After
39 years there should be LOTS of stories and photos
to share! The event will be held at Martin's East in
Baltimore. More details to follow in the coming months. |
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