Production Track

Session 1:
Nov 5th, 8:30 am to 10:00 am
Speaker: Jim Clark

Session Title:
Keeping Costs Down (Print Buying 101)

Session Outline:

• Better inventory control – look at the total cost of the book, not just the unit price (inventory costs, returns, etc.)
• More advanced planning (fewer rush jobs!) – keeping our costs down helps keep theirs down
• More standardization (paper, trim sizes, etc.) - Differentiate your products without increasing costs
• Use fewer printers – Each relationship you maintain costs you time and money (maybe even additional staff)
• Choose printers wisely – Segment your work based on production niche
• Use printers wisely
  • what can they do for you besides printing?
  • rate your current printers and give them feedback

Speaker Bio:
For the past 20 years Jim has been a leader at McNaughton & Gunn, Inc., a book manufacturer, located in Saline, Michigan. As one of the Leadership Team members, he holds the job of Director of Customer & Business Services. As a senior leader he works with the management team to improve processes and throughput, through education and teamwork. His areas of management responsibility include Process Improvement, Training, Purchasing, Estimating, Planning and Sales Support.

Jim has been instrumental in establishing many educational programs throughout Michigan and the printing industry designed to enhance graphic arts and business education. He is a Past President of the Association for Graphic Arts Training (AGAT), and a member of the Association’s McMillian Society. He is also a member of the NAPL Soderstrom Society and was part of the last group of inducted into the GATF Society of Fellows, which is now known as the Ben Franklin Society.

Prior to McNaughton & Gunn, Jim taught in the School of Printing and Management Sciences at the Rochester Institute of Technology, following his graduate study in Printing Technology.

Jim Clark
Director of Customer & Business Services
McNaughton & Gunn, Inc.