In April, Printing Industries of America alerted you to a major scam involving a fraudulent direct marketing agency operating out of Montreal and Toronto. Federal authorities believe the targets in this case have been operating under the following names: Direct Market, DMW Direct, API Global Fulfillment, DMG Group Corporation, Global Media, Slim-Tab, and LipoCitrex. The scam artist purports to represent clients marketing weight loss products such as Axera International, BeSlim, and Nutrim. The scam is simple but effective and has claimed a number of victims. The marketing agency contacts printers via their website with a potential windfall job to produce millions of marketing pieces. The marketing agency literally banks on printers offering a line of credit based on initial feedback from credit references, which are similarly fraudulent. When printers ask for a check to cover postage, it is promptly sent via UPS. The check looks completely official, including a hologram, and printers deposit it thinking all is well, not realizing that any check drawn on a foreign bank account will take 2–3 weeks to validate and collect funds. This is the scam—some companies will drop the printed pieces and mail them before the check clears leaving the printer to cover the postage and printing costs. Sadly, a significant number of PIA members are now out tens of thousands of dollars because of this scam. The United States Postal Service (USPS) and law enforcement officials on both sides of the border are investigating the matter, and in fact progress has been made. USPS officials now want to hear specifics from those who have been injured by this scam. If your company has fallen victim or you were approached by any of the aforementioned entities, PLEASE CONTACT POSTAL INSPECTOR MATT SCHMITZ at 920-869-3719 or via email at...

Key performance metrics (KPMs), used to evaluate the success of a business, differ for businesses based on various factors. These factors can include the size of business and geographic location. One KPM that should be on every business’s must-have list is the metric for before tax profit as a percentage of sales. Before Tax Profit is a measure of profitability as it allows for a company to view profits before they have to pay corporate income taxes.  The above graph tracks before tax profit as a percent of sales for the past ten years for profit leaders and profit challengers. The Dynamic Ratios take this profitability measure and turn it into a proportion of sales. Turning before tax profit into a ratio of sales allows for this figure to be comparable across many companies. How do you compare to your competitors? Over the past ten years, the average profit leader was around 10 percent more profitable in before tax profit than the average printer each year. How do you align your company to have great before tax profit as a percentage of sales? First, you need to know where you stand. The new dynamic ratios will provide an easy to understand graphic that will easily show where you are and where your company has room for improvement. Complete the survey today at...

Key performance metrics (KPMs), used to evaluate the success of a business, differ for businesses based on various factors. These factors can include the size of business and geographic location. One KPM that should be on every business’s must-have list is the metric for before tax profit as a percentage of sales. Before Tax Profit is a measure of profitability as it allows for a company to view profits before they have to pay corporate income taxes.  The above graph tracks before tax profit as a percent of sales for the past ten years for profit leaders and profit challengers. The Dynamic Ratios take this profitability measure and turn it into a proportion of sales. Turning before tax profit into a ratio of sales allows for this figure to be comparable across many companies. How do you compare to your competitors? Over the past ten years, the average profit leader was around 10 percent more profitable in before tax profit than the average printer each year. How do you align your company to have great before tax profit as a percentage of sales? First, you need to know where you stand. The new dynamic ratios will provide an easy to understand graphic that will easily show where you are and where your company has room for improvement. Complete the survey today at...

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) announced today major alterations to the overtime exemption classifications under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). These changes have dramatic ramifications for all employers and it is strongly advised that you familiarize yourself with them as they may affect your budgeting for 2017. Beginning December 1, 2016, the salary threshold for overtime exempt employees will increase from $23,660 to $913 per week or $47,476 annually for a full-year worker. This means that any employee whose salary is less than $47,476 will be eligible for overtime pay beyond their normal 40 hours per week schedule. Updates to the salary threshold levels will occur automatically every three years (with at least 150 days notice and effective January 1, 2020).  DOL will be allowing up to 10 percent of the salary threshold to be met by a non-discretionary bonus (including commissions).  However, these bonuses must be paid quarterly (or more frequently). DOL will permit employers to make a “catch-up” payment if the bonus and salary falls short of satisfying the salary threshold in a quarter. DOL decided against making any changes to the “duties tests” for the Executive, Administrative and Professional occupational classifications. This is good news for industry because DOL suggested that it mirror various tests currently in effect in California. PIA, and a few other industries, asked that specific occupations be deemed exempt from overtime under certain conditions.  PIA asked for Customer Service Representatives to be classified as exempt if they had the authority to “stop a job” anywhere in production. DOL decided not to write any new exemptions in the regulation but left the door open for employers to argue their position on a case-by-case...

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) announced today major alterations to the overtime exemption classifications under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). These changes have dramatic ramifications for all employers and it is strongly advised that you familiarize yourself with them as they may affect your budgeting for 2017. Beginning December 1, 2016, the salary threshold for overtime exempt employees will increase from $23,660 to $913 per week or $47,476 annually for a full-year worker. This means that any employee whose salary is less than $47,476 will be eligible for overtime pay beyond their normal 40 hours per week schedule. Updates to the salary threshold levels will occur automatically every three years (with at least 150 days notice and effective January 1, 2020).  DOL will be allowing up to 10 percent of the salary threshold to be met by a non-discretionary bonus (including commissions).  However, these bonuses must be paid quarterly (or more frequently). DOL will permit employers to make a “catch-up” payment if the bonus and salary falls short of satisfying the salary threshold in a quarter. DOL decided against making any changes to the “duties tests” for the Executive, Administrative and Professional occupational classifications. This is good news for industry because DOL suggested that it mirror various tests currently in effect in California. PIA, and a few other industries, asked that specific occupations be deemed exempt from overtime under certain conditions.  PIA asked for Customer Service Representatives to be classified as exempt if they had the authority to “stop a job” anywhere in production. DOL decided not to write any new exemptions in the regulation but left the door open for employers to argue their position on a case-by-case...

The 2016 Premier Print Awards deadline is coming up fast! This June, expert judges from all segments of the print industry will come together to meticulously examine entries from across the globe. You’re not going to want to miss the opportunity to have your best pieces judged—all for a chance at receiving the coveted Benny statue. If you’re still on the fence about submitting your pieces to the “Oscars of the Industry,” we’re here to help make your decision easier. Michael Klyn, the 2016 Premier Print Awards chairman and decades-long veteran of the graphic communication industry, knows a thing or two about what goes on during this intense competition. Check out our video series where we got his two cents on some of the biggest trends seen throughout the Premier Print Awards.  The 2016 Premier Print Awards Using a PPA Win for Synergy with Your Clients Digital Printing in the Premier Print Awards Synergy Between Designers and Printers in PPA Pieces Adding Extra Information with your PPA Pieces The deadline for this year’s round of entries is on May 25. Enter your pieces today at awards.printing.org. For questions regarding this year’s entry process, contact Mike Packard at...