Clancy . . . overflow . . . the best bits . . . funnies

Emphasizing the trend of companies to adopt opaque acronyms as their names, EFI, DES and GSB Chemical are new companies at the table. Ben Taylor, EFI, Russell Cavanagh, DES and Jason Kent, GSB Chemical will take part in the merchants’ deliberations. It brings to 28 the number of companies participating in one of the industry’s more altruistic bodies.

Check them out at www.gamaa.net.au

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bangkok is determined to wrest the title of regional printing centre from its rivals in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong. Building on the Thai Government’s multi-million subsidies to the industry, the country’s printing associations have joined with Messe Düsseldorf to combine two trade shows into one major event – Pack Print International. The show is scheduled for April26-29 2007.

Although the spelling is slightly different and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Clancy is of the opinion our local PacPrint organisers should lodge a strong protest at them pinching our name.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

STOP PRESS … STOP PRESS … It’s long been a favourite fantasy of Clancy to use that compelling slogan. Word has just arrived on this Wednesday night that up to 500 Fairfax journalists have walked off the job in an indefinite strike. Journalists, sub-editors, photographers, artists and other editorial staff at the Sydney Morning Herald and the Sun-Herald were in talks over 65 redundancies and work conditions.

It’s a baptism of fire for David Kirk, former printer and current CEO of Fairfax. It was never like this at PMP.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In a fine case of the bleeding obvious, two UK reports have found that there’s a definite link between customer service and profitability. What Makes a Good Printer? and Competitive Advantage through Customer Service Excellence between them interviewed 40 print firms and 200 print buyers to arrive at the conclusion that there is a clear correlation between the level of service provided and a company’s profits. The reports publication coincided with the launch of the BSI- and BPIF-developed PAS 75 Specification for print production and services, which focuses on what makes effective customer service.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

And finally … here’s a Christmas gift of an Irish joke.

Paddy was fishing with Mick in a rented boat. They could not catch a thing.

Paddy said "Let's go a bit furder downstream."

So they did, and they caught many monstrous fish. They had their limit, so they went home.

On the way, Mick said "I marked dat spot right in de middle of de boat, Paddy."

"Now dat's stupid," said Paddy. "How do you know we’ll git de same boat next time!"