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IntroductionWelcome to the first issue of Digital
Media, the main purpose of thispublication is to establish some means of
communication with our customer base. It
has often been a criticism of printers that
we spend all our time assisting other
companies with their communication
issues, yet completely miss the point
ourselves. It is our intention to address this
area through this publication and the
appointment of our new marketing
manager Miss Cathy Burton.
This subject is becoming increasingly
important as digital technologies merge,
marketers are not only looking for new
ideas in respect to design but are more
closely measuring the costs and return on
investment which brings new media into
play. In this issue you will note we have
made a significant investment in digital
presses, however whilst this takes the
focus, the investment in finishing
equipment is not to be understated. To
achieve our goals it has been necessary to
replace almost all our finishing plant for
more automated equipment, where at the
touch of a button the product is produced
from 1 to 100,000. This saves on time,wastage of material and addresses the acute
shortage of skilled personnel in this field. It
also aids our new proofing concept, to
produce a proof of the finished product, on
the material specified for the job. The
demands on buyers have broadened as
companies have downsized and often the
knowledge of print is limited to the product
required, and it is of little interest how it is
achieved. Our role and relationship with
clients is changing, we are becoming more
involved at the conceptual stage of projects
where a range of media is to be utilised. Tothis end we have set up a division NEXUS-
D-MEDIA to work alongside customers and
develop strategies for a multimedia
approach to campaigns.
Digital Media
NewsletterJuly 2003Issue 1
Left to right: Richard Bottomley Thomas Cook, John Grogan MD grgprint.com.
OPEN DAY
grgprint.com were pleased not only by the numbers attending
their open day, but also the quality of interest generated, in fact
it may be necessary to have another open day, although next
time the company will employ door men, and last
demonstrations will be called at 8.00pm. Everyone recognised
digital is the future, but many were impressed with the roledigital print can play right now. It was commonly accepted by
all attendees the quality of print achieved was equal to that of
conventional print and there were those who considered it
better. It is certainly the best medium for proofing, and the
imagination runs riot with the possibilities around variable
data. The food wasnt bad either (Thanks Susan).
Variable dataThe personalised calendars produced on the day were also a
success, and from the tone of many clients, designers will beworking overtime on concepts for 2004. The personalised wine
labels and mini brochures also proved of great interest, and the
car park was as full the next morning as the previous day.
DL-100 Text
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WELCOME TO THE FUTURE
Following an investment
programme in excess of
1 million grgprint.com
held an open day to giveits clients a picture of
the possibilities
available to them. The
intention was to change
the perception of the
role a print company can
play. In fact the ultimate
objective is not to be
recognised as a printcompany, but a service
provider in the field of
communication, where
print is just one
alternative. Whilst there was an impressive array of new plant, much of which was making a UK
debut, the purpose was to focus on the handling of data as opposed to paper.
The message in principal was all information is now digital and depending at what stage in the
process the data is captured will dictate how effectively it can be used. The concept on offer from
grgprint.com is to develop a complete management information system for clients incorporatingCRM, database management, and billing system. This data will hold all information about a
company and its products. Processing bills will give up to the minute feed back on the activity
of a business by sales, which can be analysed by product, region, sales person, profitability etc.
At this point the data can communicated by many of the print options grgprint.com offer,
variable or static, equally it can be communicated by e-mail or SMS messaging. The data will
be available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Managing Director, John Grogan, argued on the day that cost is not an issue, a specific live
product they were developing demonstrated how to advertise products at absolutely no cost
whatsoever, whilst proving that this product was more effective than a leaflet or brochure (this
was not an email). His second example was a prestigious product which had a cost of 1.00, yet
he argued it generated revenue from 10.00 to possibly hundreds of pounds, therefore cost was
immaterial. Its about thinking smart, we are now talking to directors as opposed to print buyers,
and are deeply involved in the marketing of a companies products or services increasing their
levels of business, reducing their marketing budgets, and improving communication both
internally and externally.
Welcome to the future, its arrived, was the message of the day!
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Business Cards
A major corporation have expressed interest in the development of
their own personal web site specifically for the purpose of
producing business cards for a global operation. The majorattraction is the cost savings in their own administration time
procuring business cards up to the point of final sign off. Equally the
lead time is a fraction of what they had previously experienced, and
finally the cost of the business cards alone are less than half of what
they were previously paying.
Ticketing
grgprint.com have been approached by a national travel company
to investigate producing travel tickets, baggage labels, invoicesand statements, direct from their sales outlets, generating daily
graphical sales reports for the management of that company by
various catagories.
Manuals
Managing director John
Grogan will be returning to
Japan to visit several corporations for the on demandproduction of manuals. The benefits are up to date manuals of
the latest specification, personalised for the customer with the
actual serial number of the product acquired printed on the
manual. This will only be required in the language of the
country for which the product is intended. This process meets
the principal of just in time management, a fundamental part
of Japanese business philosophy, from which we can all now
benefit.
The company have also been approached by an American
company, specialising in manual publishing, based in
Sacramento, primarily for the publication of software manuals. For reasons similar to the above
this process is attractive.
Direct Mail
As one can imagine a great deal of interest has been generated from
this market sector and discussions are taking place with numerous
companies in the region. Laminator
THE PRODUCTS
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Personalised Calendars
For the purpose of our open day and to demonstrate the possibilities with variable data,
we developed a concept of producing personal calendars, not
simply for the company and its particulars but also those
of the recipient. A great deal of interest has been expressed
in this product about which we are very excited.
Personalised Postcards & Jigsaws
Along the same principal of variable data for business cards and calendars, postcards and
jigsaws are generating interest.
NCR
A major contract has been won for the production of NCR pads which due
to the high volumes, these will be pre-printed conventionally in full colourand overprinted on the Digimaster 9150, serialised, collated, and padded on
the BQ270, to on demand principals. The company is also able to collate in
large volumes with its SRA2 Setmaster Collator.
Database Management
The company has formed a new division, namely NEXUS-D-MEDIA, whose
role will be to work with companies on a consultancy basis, evaluating the
marketing mix of companies media and sales activities. Key to this
consultancy will be the utilisation of a companies most valuableasset, its database. The company will look to develop and maintain
companies databases, incorporating CRM, direct mail, and email.
Taking on billing and statements will
build an impressive
database of
a companies
activities.
Conventional PrintFor those not familiar with
grgprint.com, it should be stated
we are a B1 colour printer
employing full in house repro
including Ctp and scanning,
and a comprehensive finishing
department, offering fullfillment
and a unique nationwide
delivery service.
Heidelberg NexPress 2100
Mitsubishi B1 5 colour press
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Managing Director John Grogan
No one quite knows quite how long he has been in the business,
however his countless stories of carbon arc lamps, dragons blood,
gallery cameras, and working in complete darkness (nothing newthere!) would suggest the radio would have been blasting out Vera
Lynn numbers during his apprenticeship. Equally his countless trips
around the world in a sales and marketing capacity before McDonalds got
there would suggest he met Mr Livingstone on his earlier travels. He eventually
returned to Gods country and settled down at grgprint.com in 1990. He is an evangelist for new
technology boasting having acquired the first Ctp system in Europe, and exported Karaoke
multimedia fashion to Japan, where he spent much time in his formative years. Outside of
software much of the plant he has acquired is Japanese as he believes their attitude
to innovation and efficiency is second to none.
Production Manager Andrew Birch
Andrew has recently joined the company after many years in print. During the
last few years his experience has been focused on direct mail, digital print and
fullfillment, from which we hope to benefit.
Business Development Manager Martin Baker (BSc Print)
Another old codger whose been around the block too many times. Martin waseducated at the college of print in Watford (and boy doesnt he let you know
it). He ran his own large format printing business for over 20 years and again
his knowledge of print is huge.
Marketing Manager Cathy Burton (BSc)
Cathy is new to the company and print, her background is Product
Management with an emphasis on IT and database management. She has
experience of working in the UK and overseas.
IT Consultant Emma HoddinottEmma is working with ourselves on a consultancy basis developing an
internet based management information system. This is taking place on a
Linux platform, with an Apache web server, MySQL and PHP language.
This will incorporate CRM, Database management, and Data collection.
Most importantly it interfaces with clients and suppliers improving the
workflow which will be transparent to clients.
Andrew
John
Martin
Cathy
THE TEAM
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Emma
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Production controller
Andy Newton (half-job) has been with the company since leaving college
some six years ago and has worked in all departments. To coin a
phrase jack of all trades yet master of none is sure to be his
epitaph.
The Studio
The studio is managed by a trio of techies with youth and
enthusiasm on their side. James (wanderlust) Hopkin focuses
on the design requirements of clients, whilst for those who dont
know, Johns sons Francis and Jamie Grogan work on the digital
workflows through to production. In their youth they often
complained of not seeing enough of their father (not any more).
In Bryn, Sean and David there is over 125 years of print experience, dating back
to when print was a craft. This knowledge serves the business well on the more
demanding jobs.
Production
Phil Umpleby, Finishing Manager, is almost coming up to his gold watch
(dream on Phil). A more than capable manager supported by a loyal finishing
troop. The finishing quartet keeps Phil on his toes Susan, Judith, Alison and
Angie are all skilled workers.
The company employs 24 people
who all form part of the team
that delivers service to our
client base, and are prepared to
work all hours to ensure the client
is happy.
Phil
James
Jamie
Andy
Sean David
Susan
Bryn
Digital Media Newsletter
Judith
Alison
Angie
Francis
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Finishing
The open day was not about digital print, but about solutions. Visitors saw the importance of
finishing in the production cycle. One of the most amazing
machines was the CT420 card cutter that cut down business
cards in seconds after they came off the digital press. Equally
impressive was the BQ270 perfect binder, the Stitchliner
SPF30, and the AFC 6 plate folder, all capable ofautomatic set up in minutes to deliver an actual proof of
the finished job or indeed the job itself. This is genuinely
print on demand, although it is not anticipated the
machinery will be standing idle. Also on show was the
Setmaster horizontal collator and stitcher taking
grgprint.com into the A3 multipage market and down to 90x
120mm format. The Setmaster is also capable of producing work 2 or 3 up for
the smaller formats.
Software
Everyone was impressed by the software DL100 and Personaliser X,
but the programme that stole the show was Planet Press. With a
client base of Chase Manhattan Bank, HSBC, Orange, and UPS to
name but a few this package could do some serious number
crunching, however it didn't stop there. From the variable data input
Planet Watch (part of the Planet family) can produce on the fly
graphical reports in full colour which in
addition to being printed can despatch
the same documents by email keeping
clients abreast of cumulative data
such as sales by region, product etc and reports can be
generated for the local sales manager, regional manager or
indeed the national sales manager or MD at whatever
frequency specified.
Markets
One may well ask where is the
market for this package of solutions, the answer to
which is very difficult, as there are almost too many
opportunities and the danger is to lose focus. This is
where NEXUS D-MEDIA comes into play. Its role is to
work closely with clients developing systems and
products that genuinely deliver results that count, such
as more sales and more profit!
Horizon Perfect Binder
Setmaster Collator (SRA2)
Horizon 6 Plate Folder (B2)
Horizon Stitchmaster
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MISSION STATEMENTSuccess in business means providing quality work and greatcustomer service at a competitive price. It means keeping up
with technology, staying ahead of the competition and
tailoring solutions to meet customer needs
NEWS, NEWS, NEWSMailsort
The Royal Mail (Consignia) Ha! have announced a reduction in the charges for Mailsort, once
again improving the cost ratio and effectiveness of direct mail against other media.
Email Marketing
Email marketing has replaced print as the mosteffective means of promotion, it is suggested
recipients have a preference to an e-mail over a printed
product, and are less likely to bin it. New legislation
however is coming into place where recipients will no
longer have the opt out clause option, but will have to
state they wish to receive emails. What a shame our
friends in parliament didnt look into fax promotions
which actually cost the recipients and almost always
go straight to the bin! At least we do.
Telephone: 0113 383 3888 Fax: 0113 383 3889 ISDN: 0113 253 1772 web site: www.grgprint.com email: [email protected]
Printed onthe Nexpress 2100
Printed onthe Nexpress 2100