By Ed Avis
COVID’s not over of course, and the disease’s long tail will almost certainly affect all of 2021. But it’s not too early to look at how the reprographics industry has dealt with COVID.
As noted in the article above (click here), 83 percent of reprographics firms found new work related to COVID – such as social distancing signage, plexiglass dividers, etc. – and many found entirely new clients because of that work, according to an APDSP survey.
But what else have reprographics firms done to bring in more revenue or cut costs? Plenty, according to the survey:
35 percent of survey respondents said they started or enhanced services to help people who are working from home
26 percent said they improved their web sites to increase sales through digital channels
52 percent trimmed payroll by laying off staff or reducing staff hours
68 percent trimmed costs in other ways
“I just looked at everything we have for expenses and say what don’t I really need?” says Bob Kesten, owner of New England Reprographics in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, until he sold the firm last month. “One thing I cut out was our cleaning services. That’s what I had to do get by.”
The APDSP survey had a comment box where respondents could note what else they’ve done to cope with the situation, and one said they started a contactless pick-up and drop-off service.
APDSP worked hard to provide members with resources and guidance during COVID, and the survey showed that many members accessed those benefits:
90 percent read the APDSP Today biweekly e-newsletter
43 percent attended or viewed a recording of an APDSP webinar
20 percent accessed the APDSP Sign Template Library
10 percent accessed the APDSP Documents Library
7 percent attended a Virtual Round Table
7 percent used the APDSP Marketing Toolkit
Wondering how you can use these APDSP member benefits? They are all available in the Member Center. Click here to log in.