The Great Lakes Graphics Association is partnering with other regional printing associations to sponsor a quarterly study analyzing the performance and outlook of the print and graphic communications industry. The study is conducted through the Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.

The primary goal of the current study is to assess the labor shortage and supply chain effects on our industry. In addition, this study seeks to identify effective approaches to addressing labor shortages and supply chain issues. Given that we are addressing two critical issues this quarter, this survey may take up to fifteen minutes to complete.

Your support of this survey is critical: the more input we receive, the more we will all benefit. Please complete the survey by October 29, 2021. We will report the findings in mid-November.

August 2021 printing shipments came in at $6.87 billion, up from July’s $6.47 billion. Year to date, January-to-August shipments are $53.42 billion, not far off 2020’s January-to-August number of $53.68. Read more in this analysis by WhatTheyThink.com.

To assist employers in the decision-making process, the Husch Blackwell Labor & Employment practice group has developed a flowchart to simplify the religious exemption analysis and enable employers to make better decisions in less time. Click here to read more and download a pdf of the flowchart.

This year once again proved to be challenging as we continued to work through the various economic stimulus programs as well as the constantly changing tax deadlines for federal and state returns. Listed below are tax provisions currently in place that businesses should consider as we approach the end of 2021 and prepare for a fresh start in tax year 2022. Read more by GLGA member BKD.

One way to address the labor shortage – while also addressing companies’ commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion – is to focus on hiring people with disabilities, who are disproportionately under-employed or unemployed. In August 2021, just 19.2 percent of people with disabilities were employed, compared to 63.9 percent of people without disabilities. Read more on Human Resource Executive.com.

Innovators and industry leaders can make managing a complex business look easy. What I often see is a focus on their people, their processes, and their procedures as three key factors they focus on to achieve these results. Read more by Mike Philie of The Philie Group.

The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation has announced the Halvorsen family has funded a new endowment scholarship in honor of industry veteran Allen Halvorsen of Wisconsin. Read more.

John Wallace, President and CEO of GLGA member SG 360°, Wheeling, IL, discusses how he plans to grow the company, the recent appointment of former IWCO Direct CEO Jim Andersen to its board of directors, shifts in customer requirements due to COVID-19, and more.

The 2021 Wage and Benefit Survey Report is now available. From top management to the shipping department, the 2021 Wage and Benefits Report captured compensation data from more than 15,000 employees from nearly 500 participating companies. This year's survey finds a significant increase in wages across many employee segments. Read more.

All GLGA members who participated in the survey received a free copy of the report. Non-participating member companies may purchase the report for $250; the non-member price is $1000. Please contact Debra Warner at (262) 439-8992 or [email protected] to get your copy of this insightful report.

Pictures from the 2021 Women in Print Leadership Awards presentations, which took place at the GEAs Celebrations in Addison, IL, and Milwaukee on September 30, are now available in one album. The nominees in attendance also were recognized that night. Please click here to view and download.

The Awards Annual from the 2021 Graphics Excellence Awards Celebration is now available as a pdf. Please click here to view or download your copy.

Pictures from 2021 Graphics Excellence Awards Celebrations are available for viewing and downloading.

Click here for the complete Milwaukee album.

Click here for the complete Addison album.

Mid America Paper Recycling, Chicago, IL, has announced its participation as an official recycling partner in CELAB (Circular Economy for Labels), a first of its kind sustainability program to increase recycling of spent release liner used in the North American self-adhesive label and package printing industry. Read more.

Posted on LinkedIn by Schumann Printers, Fall River, WI:

Make sure to check out TMJ4-Milwaukee's article & video segment on our special partnership with Life Academy. Hear two amazing employees share their story about working at Schumann Printers. Read and see more.

Plum Grove Inc., an award-winning integrated marketing agency, has announced its $4M expansion. The 2021 growth plan includes the relocation of its headquarters to Cary, IL, and investment in additional print capacity, including the purchase of a Komori Lithrone 6-color offset press. Read more.

Posted on their website blog by Tactive, Indianapolis, IN:

It can be tricky to garner support while maintaining budget restrictions and encouraging a new donor base. As a nonprofit, you want to make sure that you are making an impact while appealing to your donor prospects in a personalized but mindful way. Read more.