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Each business day for more than fifteen years I have
been speaking to printers. They are the experts in their
field and one would think I could get a clear preference
over used printing equipment versus new printing
equipment. That is not the case. In fact, I doubt if a
clear consensus could be reach with any printer or group
of printers on any topic. The printing industry is
dynamic and attracts independent thinking individuals.
I've often said that if one gathered up all the print
shop owners in this country and laid them end to end on a
stretch of highway, one would never be able to make a
line long enough to reach a conclusion.
On the topic of printing equipment, some prefer new while
others only buy used printing equipment and used bindery
equipment. I've heard some stories that make me envious.
I was getting a tour of one printing facility and the
owner proudly showed me his latest book making purchase.
It seems that he was a smart and shrewd operator. When a
large companies in plant operation was being phased out
after a short time in operation, my client got wind of it
and was able to buy this nine month old machine for 20%
of he value. He even got them to deliver it over six
hundred miles at no charge. A good deal by anyone's
standards. In is case, the used bindery equipment
acquisition paid off.
Printing equipment can be very durable, but they
depreciate rapidly. May smaller shop never purchase
anything new. They are on a budget and their printing
equipment purchases are made very carefully. That doesn't
mean that larger companies agonize less over their
purchasing decisions. In most cases, the more well heeled
companies purchase new printing equipment. It appears to
me that the more successful a company, the more likely
they are to purchase new equipment. The less expensive
route by smaller shops suits their needs. They generally
have lower volumes, smaller payrolls, and less need for
the efficiency offered by new printing equipment. The
larger shops have tighter deadlines, larger orders,
sometimes more demanding clients, and they purchase the
equipment to suit their needs.
Who is right? The probably both are right. I cannot judge
or even begin to offer an opinion to them without knowing
their exact financial strength, production capacity and
their goals. Some shop owners made a conscious decision
to stay small when they went into business. They probably
enjoyed working in the trade and decided to venture out
to become their own boss. Many of them are my clients and
fine people meeting their personal goals. Used printing
and bindery equipment is perfectly suitable for them.
Others decided early on that they were gong to be more
successful and push their personal envelope in the
printing business. The grew quickly, hire and trained a
sales staff to fuel the growth, and added production and
administrative personnel accordingly. Their goals were
entirely different and so are their printing equipment
purchase.
They want new machinery that is installed by experts and
installed right. Their facility does not shut down for a
week while the owner is personally installing new
equipment. They want service, training and on site
support contracts to keep the printing equipment and
bindery equipment humming and producing revenue. One
doesn't see the owner of these shops involved in the
repair of the equipment. Their managers call a toll free
number and the proper repair personnel are dispatched to
get their equipment back on line.
Just as some made a conscious decision to stay small,
others made a decision to explore all avenues of growth.
What I find interesting is that the majority of larger
operation owners never worked in the trade. They either
acquired and existing shop or started one and hired the
right people. They kept up the training so that they know
that the printing equipment would be in good hands. As
they grew, they hired managers to oversee departments
while the owners concentrated on sales and management.
The more they the more qualified personnel they could
bring in to run the printing equipment. In all cases,
their goals are being met.
What's right for you? Only your personal goals will
determine that along with careful analysis of the payback
or return on investment. Analyze where you want to go,
then set your path within your budget.
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