NAGASA - The Compass - Winter 2000

• ARCHIVES Winter '98 Summer '98 Fall '98 Winter '99 Summer '99

  President’s Column
• Channels of the Future or Channels of the Past?
• Forum 2000 Preliminary Schedule and Information
• A Guide to Selecting a Computer System/Part II
• NAGASA Financial Ratios Study Now Available

President’s Column
A Note from Peter Brehm
NAGASA President and CEO

As we enter the new millennium I’d like to welcome two new members to the NAGASA team. First, I am pleased to announce that Raymond A. Williams, President, Washington Printing Supplies, has been appointed to fill a Board vacancy created by the resignation of Tom Breese. Williams begins a term that concludes in April 2001.

Washington Printing Supplies is a regional dealer with four branches headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia. The company also operates a subsidiary in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, called Signature Printing Products. Williams has served as president since 1980, when he purchased the business. He joined the company in 1971 as a Vice President. Among its achievements, Washington Printing Supplies has been recognized by Dealer Communicator as a “Top Ten Dealer.”

The NAGASA Board is delighted that Ray has joined us. His business knowledge and understanding of the issues we are addressing in the channel provide valuable perspectives to NAGASA and its members. Breese left Young Phillips to accept a position with Böttcher America, and subsequently resigned his Board membership. NAGASA and its members owe Tom thanks for his support and participation in the leadership of NAGASA, and wish him success as he pursues this new phase of his career.

Second, I am also pleased to announce that Greg DuRoss joined NAGASA on December 1 as Member Services Director. Greg comes to NAGASA after five years with the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association, where he was responsible for the development and launch of a pioneering marketing data program for members. With over 25 years experience in both the non-profit and private sectors, Greg will be involved in all aspects of NAGASA programs and operations, with plans calling for him to attend and begin meeting members at upcoming events this year. Greg brings with him knowledge of associations and an understanding of the distribution industry and the challenges facing distributors today. In parallel with his contacting members, I invite you to call and introduce yourself to Greg.

NAGASA at DRUPA
NAGASA will be part of DRUPA as a co-exhibitor in a booth being staffed by
member Danny Moloney of Moloney Inc. PIC Graphics, Recognition Systems/Dot Works, Burnishine, and Tower Products are also exhibiting in the booth, located in Hall 8, Second Floor, Number E27 (Tower Products is also exhibiting in the Tetenal booth). Moloney is enthusiastic about the opportunity this booth will have to make contact with European dealers interested in North American products and services and European manufacturers interested in the North American channel.

To help facilitate this communication, NAGASA will be inviting members to contribute literature for a NAGASA packet that Moloney will distribute to firms that stop by the booth during this two-week event, which takes place May 18 – 31 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Moloney urges all NAGASA members to use the booth as a place to rest for a few minutes, leave heavy packages while touring the show, or catch up on show and channel news.

For those not attending DRUPA, NAGASA is making available a White Paper on event highlights that will be authored by Terry Nagi, who is attending the show and will develop a report on the new and notable developments that he discerns. Details will follow after DRUPA.

Supporting members and the channel at DRUPA is just one of NAGASA’s many exciting activities planned for 2000.