NPES – The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies recently changed its name to Association for Print Technologies. The step marks a defining moment in the association’s history spanning nearly 85 years. The name change is also being looked at as a part of the strategic business plan for the industry which was launched in January 2017.
“This rebrand of the organization signals a significant turning point, not just for our Association, but for the entire printing and imaging industry,” said Thayer Long, president, Association for Print Technologies. “The convergence in our industry is essentially in the rearview mirror. Now, as our new name more clearly expresses, our broader scope and direction are focused on greater alignment among the commercial printing and imaging value chain. This ‘next phase’ must happen in order for all stakeholders to benefit.”
Following this step, a series of new programs and services are slated in the days to come including the launch of the association’s new website www.printtechnologies.org in the spring of 2018. Further, the offerings will span the areas of research and market data, industry advocacy and standards, events and communications. A new department, Community and Industry Development has been established to improve programming designed to support businesses throughout the industry value chain.
“To drive the industry forward for decades to come, our board made the decision to evolve and reposition the organization. Our new identity, as the Association for Print Technologies, reflects the way forward,” states Mark Hischar, APT chairman, president and chief executive officer, KBA-North America.
In order to encapsulate the developments surrounding the association’s new direction and rebrand, an members-only webinar was held. The broadcast presented by Thayer Long highlighted a broad range of new and on-the-horizon initiatives.
