Shelf Space: It's All About Support
What has your trade association done for you lately?
If you are a member of TLMI, the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, chances are it may have done quite a lot. Standing at the epicenter of the tag and label industry, TLMI is an integral part of the success of its member companies and, as its mission statement says, is committed to providing business solutions that enhance the prosperity of its members and the narrow web tag, label, and packaging industries.
Most trade organizations provide targeted support for member companies that usually includes research, market and business intelligence and numerous networking opportunities that enrich the personal and business lives of members. But few describe how this support adds real value more fully than do TLMI members.
Partnering
"TLMI has been a great partner for many years," says Joel Carmany, President of Consolidated Label Company in Sanford, Florida. "Their continuous effort to promote the label industry has been tremendous in helping our business grow. The resources and knowledge within the organization have been invaluable."
Inspiration
For others, TLMI provides inspiration, a commodity every business owner needs to drive his or her business forward. "TLMI has inspired me to action," relates Thomas Dahbura, President of Hub Labels in Hagerstown, Maryland. "I come back from every event motivated and inspired to propel my business to the next level. TLMI is an indispensable business tool. Its members are industry leaders and an inspiration to me. I couldn't and wouldn't want to be in business without TLMI."
Networking
Members also emphasize that TLMI is a network that works. Member Mike Lane heads up Lofton Label in Iver Grove Heights, Minnesota. "TLMI membership provides us with outstanding business insight and networking opportunities with the industry's most successful converters. The financial ratios, compensation and North American Label studies provide cutting edge business acumen to zero in on specific business activities to drive performance improvement." This is all actionable information for Lane, as you'll see in "Smart, Tough and Nimble," this month's cover story that takes you inside Lofton Label to see how the company balances offset and digital technologies to enjoy profitable growth.
Market Insights
Another key aspect of TLMI is the support it provides for both converters and vendors. Steve Schulte, VP of Sales and Marketing at Mark Andy, says the benefits of TLMI membership are countless. "We utilize member resources and reports when analyzing market and product opportunities. Networking with converters and supplier members has helped us drive product innovation and strategic direction. We're proud to have been charter supplier members since 1965 and can't wait to see what the future holds."
And one more thing
This month also takes a look at some of the changes that are happening on the shop floors of label converters who have brought in digital technology. None of them see digital presses as replacements for offset or flexographic machines, but rather as part of a viable and profitable path to growth and stability. We checked in with some industry analysts who have been talking with tag and label converters to find some details.
Kind regards,
Noel Ward/Editor-in-Chief
nward@napco.com
603-672-3635
