The Only Association for Print Managers, Print Distributors,
Brokers & Trade Manufacturers/Suppliers
of Print & Print related Products.
Founded in 1990, the "Independent Print Industries Association" [IPIA], undertakes a range of activities that reflect the current activities and requirements of our members and acknowledges the changing times that are effecting our industry.
The Chief Executive and Staff, with the support of the elected National Council who represent the interests of the Members, implement the range of services, which varies according to the demand in our rapidly changing industry.
This information gives an indication of the current variety of services which The Independent Print Industries Association offers to members.
BENEFITS:
IPIA Print Management CD & Support Packages
In a recent major print survey, Print Management was the top “New Market Sector” that companies will be entering during the next year. The IPIA is very well placed to ensure that it’s members get their share. We have been active in this area for over 2 years and have a full range of materials available to help our members win this business.
Print Management divides simply into 3 sections:
Marketing the Benefits to the Customer & Gaining the Opportunity.
Carrying Out a Print Audit, Preparing & Delivering the Proposal.
Closing the Sale, Implementing & Running the Contract.
The IPIA can help with all 3, also to get you on the net as an “IPIA Print Management Expert”, via our website.
We have a CD/E-mailable Marketing Presentation to help sell the Benefits of Print Management to the Customer, which members can have personalised with their Logo & house colour at a minimal cost. Secondly we can supply the full range of documentation you need to complete a “Print Audit”, along with “Service Level & Confidentiality” agreements. We can train your staff to feel confident in selling the wider range of products & services needed for print management. Thirdly, via our “Associate Members” you will be able to Implement and Run a print management contract.
IPIA Training, Educational & Seminar Programmes
These programmes are aimed at assisting your staff to achieve their own personal self development, as well as expanding their knowledge and boosting their self confidence in dealing with both customers and suppliers alike.
Over the last 8 years we have developed a unique & comprehensive series of training & seminar programmes geared to the needs of our industry. They are the only training programmes that exist to ensure your staff acquire all the knowledge they need to do their job more efficiently and effectively for you. These unrivalled programmes have been widely acclaimed by both distributors & manufacturers alike and many of our associate members have contributed to the research and development. The programmes cover all the New & Existing products & Skills your staff need, plus many management training topics too. Any company is only as good as it’s staff and if you wish to succeed, then this is where you must put your efforts now!
IPIA Code of Practice - Improving Your Business Performance
The Association has developed and introduced it’s own code of practice to improve the standards & performance of it’s members. It includes 12 clauses that ensure ALL IPIA members operate at the highest levels.
All members are asked to sign up to this code and display the certificate prominently within their company.
A Valuable NEW Benefit - Legislation Issues
With today’s current flow of “New & Up-to-date Legislation” pouring down on you from both the current Government & the European Parliament it’s a very difficult task for you to keep up to date with all the new rules and regulations that may affect you or your business. A lot of this new legislation has hidden powers & fines, and if they bite, they can cause you severe problems both financially and the time it may take to resolve. The IPIA will be keeping you up to date with the most important pieces of legislation. Including: Employment Law, Health & Safety, Quality Issues, including ISO, Waste Regulations & Packaging. Providing a list of useful documents and policies for you to access and use when necessary.
Developing Long Term Business Relationships
between Manufacturers, Print Managers, Distributors, Brokers and Associated Suppliers
We organise & run Workshops, Forums, Social Events and Networking Opportunities where members can meet and talk. We also have our Annual Conference & AGM, ask yourselves the following questions: Are you Prepared for the Future? Do You Know What Changes will Affect our Industry? What Strategic Marketing Plans Do You have to Cope with the Changes? All these issues are covered here! IPIA Recognition Awards, sets the standard with it’s very own company and individual award scheme, designed to promote and reward those who excel in every aspect of our industry.
Company Marketing & Diversification
We can offer help and advice with the marketing and the diversification of your business, from a simple visit to your premises to discussing new ideas or organising and designing direct mail campaigns and even helping with those follow up calls!! (Or if you require help in the preparation of a comprehensive marketing plan or long term strategy planning for the development and profitability of your Company for the future.) Many members find it useful just to bat their ideas about confidentially with somebody thoroughly entrenched within the print sector, and some members have very set ideas but not the time or manpower to implement them.
Major Independent Print Exhibition
"The Print for Business Show"
As a Manufacturer or Associate member you will be able to exhibit at our major Independent Print Industries exhibition, with priority bookings at discounted rates. Where else can Manufacturers see representatives who are the decision makers from over 700 companies? Where else can any Print Buyer see the key people from over 70 suppliers, discuss in detail customer print requirements or find new suppliers?
"The Print for Business Show" is a 2 day show held at:-
International Centre
Telford
M6/M54
This year on the 5th & 6th October 2005
See Home Page
Customer Credit Checking & LedgerCheck Services
The IPIA is in a position to offer you professional credit checking services from both Experian & Equifax Plc they are the largest players in this field. IPIA members can receive their services and enjoy up to 40% discount. In conjunction with Equifax Plc members can use their LedgerCheck service. It provides members with a 1st Class service at a cost effective price, special member’s fee of £2.50 per customer. LedgerCheck takes your sales ledger and matches the business entities on the list with those on Equifax’s databases. They then attach a range of data items [see below] to the list and return it to YOU.
Find New Customers
Wouldn’t you like to know all the “New & Existing” businesses that move into your area? Finding and developing “New Customers” is the life blood of your business, we will update you with this information and identify the best types of customers for you. The data will provide you with a unique combination of data selection options from over 2.8 million BtoB in the UK.
Key areas for profiling businesses will include: Geographical/ Post Code Regions, Business Groups, Turnover, Employee Bands, Credit Banding etc. The data is E-mailed back in either Excel or CSV data file and normally within 2-3 days from receipt of request
Printopia
An online Print Management service for IPIA members, it is an Internet based service which streamlines the processing and production of print jobs and minimises administration costs, to the benefit of all involved. It allows members to benfit from e-commerce at minimal cost and effort. Many members recognise that e-commerce is an increasingly important means of doing business, many are unsure of how it could benefit them and what they should do about it. To address these concerns, the IPIA has introduced Printopia as another one of it’s many professional services. This fits very well with the recent introduction of the Print Management CD also available to members.
Members Handbook
Lists all IPIA members, as well as special sections from our manufacturers & associates detailing their products & services. Also includes details on all benefits available from the IPIA, a useful binder full of information at your fingertips.
Product Sourcing
A comprehensive product sourcing database has been developed and established at the IPIA office over the years, this can help you to market your products more efficiently, if you are a manufacturer or associated supplier, so let us know when you have something New to offer! We can usually source a supplier if you are a Print Manager, Distributor or Broker.
This facility is free to our members.
Pages on the World Wide Web - The Internet & IPIA Electronic News
We have developed an Electronic News Service via the Internet and are actively persuading members to subscribe to E-mail and Internet services so they can take advantage of the facilities available through our own web site.
Visit the Association’s website and look at the activities, news of members and new products etc.
The IPIA ‘home page’ on the Internet is becoming a major attraction - it is linked to our members’ pages, and as a result has increased their number of ‘visitors’ by as much as 300%.
Commercial Insurance
"The Best Value for Money Package in Our Industry"
This scheme has been negotiated via "AON Ltd", the world's premier insurance brokerage and consulting services organisation. It is available to our Manufacturing Members and includes many innovative features specifically designed for the Printing Industry. Core Cover:-
Property damage all risks including computers
Public/products liability including financial loss
Business interruption all risks including increased cost of working
Personal accident assault
Employers liability - £25m limit
Personal accident inching and crawling
Workplace violence
Options:-
Engineering breakdown
Computer breakdown
Security printing/cheque indemnity
Company drivers
Libel and slander
Business Travel
Bookbinders liability
Directors and officers liability
Personal accident 24 hour cover
Engineering inspection
Internet liability
Features:-
Low claims rebate
Premium by instalments
The cover has been tailored specifically for the modern printing industry and offers the widest cover available in the insurance market.
Human Resource Service - IMPROVING BENEFITS TO MEMBERS
We are now recommending the UK’s leading employment law and health and safety consultancy, Citation plc, to help all our members meet their legal obligations. We have negotiated preferential rating for members and are delighted to recommend them to you. Their service includes the production of the necessary documentation and procedures, a 24 hour advice line and guarantees to provide for financial reimbursement in the event of employment tribunals and health and safety prosecutions.
Key Health and Safety Areas Covered
The Company Health and Safety Policy Statement
Safety rules in respect of employees, visitors, accident, injury, first aid procedures and dangerous occurrence recording (RIDDOR)
Fire rules and procedures
COSHH procedures and guidelines
Advice on safe working practices
Electricity at Work Regulations
The Environmental Protection Act
Advice and guidance on the completion of risk assessments
Key Employment/Personnel Areas Covered
Employee Contracts and Terms and Conditions whether written, verbal or implied
Employee handbooks
Advice on recruitment and selection
Advice on absence control
Employee Rights & Disciplinary Procedures
Grievance Procedures
Holiday Entitlement
Maternity
Sexual Harassment
Sexual/Racial Discrimination
General Working Rules
We have also negotiated a FREE Business Health Check for your Company.
Canditate Verification
This service is available 24 hours a day - 7 days a week via the internet for a special IPIA annual member rate.
Experian offers a simple cost-effective pre-screening service for employers. Ensure you recruit the right candidate before the person is employed! The candidate verifier includes the following services:
Financial check
Check for adverse data eg. CCJ's & directorships
Confirms qualifications and grades achieved
Employer reference check
Confirms dates of employment and positions held
Check for professional memberships
Education check
Innovation in Print
The IPIA publishes a unique bi-monthly magazine ‘Innovation in Print’ which supports the promotion and growth of the “Independent Trade Sector” of the printing and graphics industry & associated suppliers. Members receive preferential advertising rates and priority for press releases. It keeps members up to date with new developments, new members and new products & services and helps them to communicate effectively with each other.
‘Innovation in Print’ should be used as part of your Company Marketing plan, advertising is very competitively priced & ensures you are targeting the correct companies & people, the current circulation is to over 1800 print buyers.
Specialist Business Advice
Tenon is a ‘Top 10’ UK Accountancy Company who have grown to become a leading provider of professional services to privately owned businesses by blending skills from many strong regional practices around the country. They are top specialists in particular fields offering a wide range of business services. TLG’s Packaging & Print team have a long track record of completed company sales, acquisitions and MBOs. The IPIA has negotiated a member discount of 10% off their fees for services in all of the following areas: •Acquisitions
Disposals
MBOs/MBIs
Turnaround
Fund raising
Mergers
VAT and tax investigations
Professional Business Practices
The Association supports the improvement of business standards through a comprehensive set of Business Practices, researched and developed specifically for members, to improve business relationships, operations and customer service.
Stake Holder Pensions
The association has also made special arrangements with the Printing Industries provider of Stake Holder Pension [PIPS], as you are all aware you should have an approved scheme in place by now. For a detailed pension booklet and more information on the provider then contact the office.
Employee Private Healthcare Schemes
Again the Association has also made special arrangements with a major provider of Private Healthcare Schemes, at special IPIA discounted rates. For a detailed booklet and more information on the provider then contact the office.
Affiliation to the Document Management Industries Association of America [DMIA]
Our members enjoy automatic membership of the DMIA within membership of the IPIA. They are entitled to use the International Hotline for product sourcing, and receive a free copy of ‘Print Solutions’ magazine, monthly - a colourful and informative guide to our industry.
The IPIA Quality Logo on your Stationery
Members are entitled to use the IPIA logo on all it’s stationery as a symbol of Membership, a ‘Quality Supplier’ and reflects your crediblity.
Support with Personnel & Management Practices
Model contracts and policies developed by the IPIA for members include Contracts of Employment with optional non-competition clause and advice, Policies of Health & Safety, First Aid at Work and Equal Opportunities and Race Relations. Members are also kept informed of new laws and offer assistance for compliance e.g. COSH, Waste Management, VDU Operator, Eye Care, EEC Working Hours Directives etc.
The Association's Secretariat
Members know that they can regard our Secretariat as their own personal consultancy service, friendly, efficient and always eager to help. Members who need information, product sourcing or advice on personnel matters, public relations, technical information, European or UK business law and so on and use the facility, know that the Secretariat is their starting point, and, as a member it doesn’t cost anything more than your telephone call.
This list of benefits is not exclusive, as
The Independent Print Industries Association
is continually working on items, issues and services
of importance and interest to our members
