Trade shows have restarted. Are you coming?

 Our first show of the 2021 season is fast approaching.  We are truly excited.  There are so many positives to the trade show experience that it is hard to list them all.  Most importantly is the direct connection we get with our customers.  We are on the phone all day, we have many emails, and we have taken full advantage of new tech with FaceTime and TeamViewer and Zoom.  But there is a different connection when the interaction is face to face.  Or mask to mask as these will be.  

It is also better for our customers.  It is harder to determine what is the right path when purchasing a capital good if you cannot touch the product.  Consumables are easier, but hard goods are similar to buying a car or a house.  The user needs to be in direct contact with the product to understand all of the benefits and how they will affect their personal production floor.  We find that very fitting with manual screen presses.  These are certainly a "feel" item.  The operator has to like how the press flows with their hands.

So now both the exhibitor and the attendee have new opportunities. Visit us in Irving and in Indianapolis.  We can't wait to see you.

The new marketplace economy, does it apply to all sectors?

 In our whirlwind of 2020, everyone is adapting.  On demand commerce is bigger than ever.  One-off garment demand has not slowed.  And now Amazon is in the mix with their latest addition.  

Amazon to Buy $400M in Kornit Digital Printing Equipment, Open New Merch by Amazon Facility

Our BrownDigital line of machinery is a solution for a production issue within DTG printing and Brown has benefited from the on-demand increase.  However, our smaller community printers have been highly impacted.  Their business is face-to-face and relies on local events, schools and tourism.  Thanks for the gradual reopening in some states we are seeing those customers printing again.   They have gotten a small boost from the mask mandates and this is a new product line for many of them.  Brown's new mask platen is a nice solution to making this a profitable product.

One of the largest issues that has affected industrial goods is how to show people what is available.  Trade shows have become virtual.  Online video presentations do a nice job.  But, like buying any large item, many people would prefer to personally see an item run.  As an example, in a recent car purchase there were 2 vehicles.  They were the same cars, only a sedan versus a hatchback.  They were similar mileage and the same age and the same price.  The hatchback would have been preferred and if we could only have purchased sight unseen it is what we would have chosen.  However, we were able to drive both and the sedan was a better choice.  So when selling large ticket items, most people would prefer to see what they are buying.

Brown and BrownDigital have spent time establishing customer connections so that there is confidence that what we manufacture is well designed and will be well supported.  However, we are looking forward to in-person sales events.  Contracts for these events are signed and we know that the hosts are spending time creating a safe environment for visitors.  But will they come?

The pondering of this whole conversation is how to move either back to in-person sales events or how to present large ticket items in a remote world.  As time passes and more time becomes available, Brown will be presenting more video information for both new items and repair tips.  Let us know what you would like to see.

 

 

Award winners from SGIA 2018

BrownDigital earns Product Of The Year in 2 categories

FireFly Curing System 
U.S. Patent No. 10,011,136

FireFly™ 

What an honor.  Our patented FireFly eared the SGIA Screen Printing Drying Equipment Product of the Year.  This system is unique to the industry in its design and function.  Thermal imaging cameras monitor the temperature of the substrate and adjust the amount of energy applied to ensure perfect cure for each item. Paired with our proprietary software that connects to our Linx Control System software, this is a product designed to cure any decorated garment, whether screen or digitally printed.

Synergy Pretreat Module

Synergy™

And double the accolades.  The Synergy pretreat module earned the SGIA Pre-press (Sprayers/Dryers) Product Of The Year.  The Synergy combines with the FireFly to pretreat goods for direct to garment printing. Configured to spray two different pretreat solutions, and to mix them from concentrated form, the Synergy system is a large scale solution to a production bottle neck.  Simple to operate and easy to clean, this unit features software scheduled maintenance of the nozzle heads with built in flow sensors.  

Additionally, this system connects to our Linx Control System software to provide complete control of any product in your on-demand production floor.

See these and our full line of products at the SGIA show in Las Vegas on October 18, 19 and 20.

2018 Event schedule

The 2018 trade show circuit jumps to a quick start with back to back shows on the west coast.  The PPAI show is in Las Vegas on January 16-18.  The Imprinted Sportswear show is in Long Beach on January 18-20.  Both of these events are historically, exciting due to new products launches and innovations.  The added bonus that it should be above freezing in both locations makes them fun venues to spend time.

However, for those who are on different coast lines or whose schedule does not permit, we are action packed for 2018.  We are sure to be at an event near you soon.  For a complete list of our upcoming events check out this calendar.

Why should you attend?

Many reasons are listed for not attending trade shows.  Though they are legitimate reasons to pick your events carefully, it is a wise choice to attend one event a year.  Let's see if we can balance the pros and cons.

Reasons for not attending.

1. We are not planning to upgrade our equipment.
2. We are too busy with orders to get away.
3. Our place needs management to run the facility each day.
4. There is never anything new that would change our company.
5. We can't afford anything new.
6. It's so expensive to go.
7. We train our own employees.
8. Etcetera.

Seriously these are the reasons we hear.

So let's go through these and see if there is another viewpoint.

1. Nope, you probably are not planning on an upgrade.  However, looking for ways to optimize performance of what you have is always worthwhile.  With updated maintenance information and tools, machinery will last longer.  This is a major cost savings for any business.
2. Too busy FOR THE WHOLE YEAR?  There are events all over the country every month.  Small regional shows have information that is worth knowing just as much as big shows. 
3. This is an excuse screaming for show attendance.  There are seminars on production management just so that the production floor can run seamlessly without upper management intervention.  If "I'm essential for every day" is the reason, then take a seminar and lighten your load.
4. Sometimes there aren't new things.  True.  However, we could all use a refresher course.  As you are driving in the mall parking lot and thinking that all these people need a driving course, remember your shop.  Everyone could use a quick study in everything they do from time to time.
5. Your budget is tight has some validity.  So don't buy anything!  Just learn.  Sit with other business people and ask questions.  Not about your favorite sports, but about how their business handles day to day activities.  
6. The shows typically have free passes to enter.  Pick one you can drive to.  Talk to people.  Free info.  Sounds reasonably priced to me.  Seminars cost money, true.  Talking to people on the floor is free.
7. So, you are up to date on all new technology, right?  So how you train your people is top-notch?  Um huh.  Think again.  Quality people learn fast.  They can learn new things that will help your business grow and be more profitable.
8. Should we keep going or do you get the idea?

So what do you do if you are looking for something new.

Attend all events with an open mind.  We see many people who go to a show thinking that they know exactly what they are there for.  That is good.  They have probably done their research and are comfortable with what they are planning.  However, look around.  There are rows and rows of interesting products that might shed new light on old problems or change your mind on what you think you need.

If you are looking for one thing, talk to everybody who know something about that issue.  Different manufacturers can give insights on solutions from different perspectives.  Be open minded.  You are there to learn something and, though you may have years of experience, new technology changes the game.

One final note.  Have some fun.  Walking a show is tiring.  It is physically and mentally challenging.  But there are new things to see and new people to meet.  Wear comfy shoes and a smile.  It is a long day that should lead to improvements and new insights.