By Ed Avis
The year just passed was loaded for developments in the reprographics field, from a revival of IRgA’s Bukovsky Award to a growing movement away from per-square-foot pricing. Here were the eight biggest stories in reprographics for 2015:
1. Square-Foot-Pricing Attacked – IRgA, ReproMAX, RSA, and others laid the ground for moving the reprographics industry away from the traditional square-foot-pricing method, which many say leads to the “commoditization” of reprographics services. Response to the campaign has been strong – “what are we waiting for?” is the refrain. Read more about the campaign here: http://www.irga.com/anchorreaction-to-by-the-sheet-pricing-proposal%3A-what-are-we/
2. Color CAD Printing Moves Forward – The printing of CAD documents in color, which has long been a strong business in Europe, moved forward in the United States with increased discussion of the topic online and at industry events. It was further propelled by the advance announcement of Hewlett-Packard’s PageWide printer, which the company says will print color and monochrome CAD drawings at the same price. Read more here: http://www.irga.com/color-cad%3A-is-the-tipping-point-near%3F/
3. IRgA Holds Joint Convention with ERA – After a three-year absence from conventions, IRgA teamed up with ERA to hold a joint convention in April in Baltimore. Highlights included presentations from Paul Doherty, architect and visionary, focusing on the fact that the AEC industry is increasingly dominated by data, and that reprographics firms are uniquely positioned to be stewards of that data; and Achim Carius, president of the German reprographics association, about the reprographics market in Europe. The event was attended by 141 individuals, and 27 exhibitors showed their wares in the tradeshow. Read more here: http://www.irga.com/future-of-repro-on-display-in-baltimore/
4. Bukovsky Award Reborn – IRgA’s highest honor, the George Bukovsky Award, was reborn in 2014 after missing three years. Winners for 2014 were Bob Roperti, Gary Wilbur, and Bob Christy. The three men were honored at a banquet at the joint ERA/IRgA convention in Baltimore. Read more here: http://www.irga.com/wilbur%2C-christy%2C-roperti-named-2014-bukovsky-winners/
5. IRgA Index Established – In 2014 IRgA launched a project to gauge the strength of the reprographics industry called the IRgA Index. The Index is based on a survey of members that asks basic questions about the direction of their business. The first Index was published for the first quarter of 2014. Read about the lastest edition here: http://www.irga.com/q3-irga-index-shows-slowing-growth/
6. Paragon Group Goes Large-Format – The Paragon Group, a Dublin-based print provider, suddenly became a major player in the large-format world in Europe by most of the business of Service Point Solutions in Europe. Read more here: http://www.irga.com/major-new-player-in-reprographics-in-europe/
7. IRgA Board Expands to Six – The IRgA Board of Directors grew to six members from five with the addition of new board members Elmer Rhodes, president of Cross Rhodes Reprographics, and Clint Murchison, general manager of Hub City Blueprint. Paul Fridrich, owner of CyberCopy, advanced to president of the association. Read more here: http://www.irga.com/two-slated-for-irga-board%3B-board-to-grow/
8. New IRgA Searchable Online Directory Established – IRgA members are now listed on a new searchable online directory. The directory allows potential clients to find repro providers in their area, and provides special exposure to IRgA’s Bronze, Silver, and Gold members. Visit the directory here: http://www.irga.com/IRgA-member-directory/