APTech elects board and executive committee

Increases participation from PSPs as excitement builds for 2021

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IPP Desk
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APTech
Image: The Climate Reality Project on Unsplash

Last month, the Association for PRINT Technologies (APTech) elected its board of directors for 2021 and added to its ranks several new members, including five new printing and mailing members who join the four print service providers (PSPs) already serving on the board. Nick Bruno, chief executive officer of Harris and Bruno International, was elected as Chair of APTech for 2021, succeeding Deirdre Ryder, chief executive officer of VITS International, who had a brilliant year as the 2020 Chair.

This exciting development, which brings greater inclusivity and diversity to the board, follows closely on the heels of news, announced earlier this year, of APTech’s newly-established partnership with the Innovatis Group, US. They specialize in driving value through customer engagement and will work with APTech closely to identify ways to bring the print industry together. The APTech board is comprised of industry professionals who embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, who are not afraid of new ideas and perspectives, and realize that for our industry to thrive—change is needed in our approach and attitude.

At the association’s annual membership meeting APTech president Thayer Long expressed his and the board’s appreciation to the outgoing chair, “We want to thank Deirdre Ryder, who selflessly devoted so much of her time and energy to help navigate APTech through this unprecedented time. As a result of Deirdre’s passion and leadership, APTech was able to persevere through a very unplanned year, and secured a strong partner in the Innovatis Group and a great platform for APTech to connect people in the industry.”

APTech has already conducted a soft roll-out on its 2021 plan, announcing, among other items, two virtual events scheduled for next year and products and services it can offer equipment manufacturers and suppliers to connect with their customers. Several key manufacturers are already on-board for these events, and more announcements are coming soon.

Incoming chair Nick Bruno outlined his desire for the organization to continue its current trajectory. “In hindsight, we could not have anticipated a global pandemic. Thanks to Deirdre’s strong guidance and the board’s resilience, we are looking towards a bright future with an inventive partner and a strong resolve to meet challenges head-on with creativity and an innovative mindset for the benefit of the industry. And we will come out of this ahead of the curve.”

2021 executive committee, with terms expiring year-end 2021
Chair: Nick Bruno, Harris & Bruno International
Vice-chair: Steve Mattingly, Southern Lithoplate
Treasurer: Gina Danner, NextPage
Secretary: Gavin Jordan-Smith, Ricoh USA
Past chair: Deirdre Ryder, VITS International
APTech board of directors
Kevin Abergel, MGI
Steve Antoni, Cloud-Lab, USA
Michael Aumann, LasX Industries
John Bracamontes, Acumen Studios
Jon Budington, more vang
Lisa Henrich, SupremeX
Jacki Hudmon, Komori Corporation
Cheryl Kahanec, Quantum Group
Steve Metcalf, Baldwin Corporation
Brent Moncrief, Image Craft
Rick Neumann, IWCO Direct
Erik Norman, Bolger
Bruce Peterson, Colter & Peterson
Steven Portrude, Harwill Express
Steven Reny, Standard Finishing
Robert Ross, Xante Corporation
Andy Schipke, W+D
Clint Seckman, Parkland Direct
Warren Werbitt, ReelMotion
Tom Wittenberg, HP

APTech provides a forum to inspire the development of new and valuable print products. It educates, provides market research, and fosters collaboration between those who create and those who make.

2023 promises an interesting ride for print in India

Indian Printer and Publisher founded in 1979 is the oldest B2B trade publication in the multi-platform and multi-channel IPPGroup. While the print and packaging industries have been resilient in the past 33 months since the pandemic lockdown of 25 March 2020, the commercial printing and newspaper industries have yet to recover their pre-Covid trajectory.

The fragmented commercial printing industry faces substantial challenges as does the newspaper industry. While digital short-run printing and the signage industry seem to be recovering a bit faster, ultimately their growth will also be moderated by the progress of the overall economy. On the other hand book printing exports are doing well but they too face several supply-chain and logistics challenges.

The price of publication papers including newsprint has been high in the past year while availability is diminished by several mills shutting down their publication paper and newsprint machines in the past four years. Indian paper mills are also exporting many types of paper and have raised prices for Indian printers. To some extent, this has helped in the recovery of the digital printing industry with its on-demand short-run and low-wastage paradigm.

Ultimately digital print and other digital channels will help print grow in a country where we are still far behind in our paper and print consumption and where digital is a leapfrog technology that will only increase the demand for print in the foreseeable future. For instance, there is no alternative to a rise in textbook consumption but this segment will only reach normality in the next financial year beginning on 1 April 2023.

Thus while the new normal is a moving target and many commercial printers look to diversification, we believe that our target audiences may shift and change. Like them, we will also have to adapt with agility to keep up with their business and technical information needs.

Our 2023 media kit is ready, and it is the right time to take stock and reconnect with your potential markets and customers. Print is the glue for the growth of liberal education, new industry, and an emerging economy. We seek your participation in what promises to be an interesting ride.

– Naresh Khanna

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