Editor's Note: The Reprographic Services Association (RSA) is holding its mid-year Shareholders' Conference in New Orleans May 15-17. In anticipation of that meeting, RSA Executive Director Mark Beilman answered some questions from IRgA.
1) First tell usa little about yourself - how long have you been RSA executive director? What did you do before that?
My how time flies, it’s now been a dozen years with the RSA. Prior to the RSA, there were a number of field sales positions with K&E / Azon and regional sales and marketing manager positions. The K&E name will give you an indication as to how many years I have been in the industry.
2) What do you feel your biggest accomplishment as RSA exec dir has been?
The RSA is a member owned Cooperative and as such accomplishments are truly a team effort. In thinking about what has provided member value, staying on point to provide success strategies and resources to adapt to industry changes and new revenue models is a big one. It has been a focus for several years now and we have many members who have transitioned well and are on a steady growth path. Despite the economic climate, over the last 5 years member growth in RSA new revenue initiatives has been significant.
3) What is the key role of the RSA? Has that changed over the years, or has it always played that role?
Our key role is again defined by our Cooperative structure. Cooperatives by nature provide open sharing of vital business information in non-competitive forums. The RSA role is to provide the mechanisms to help turn this into the bread and butter of revenue. Lower costs and higher efficiencies & margins can often be a byproduct. What we do to accomplish this has changed, but the key focus of providing tangible member benefits has not.
4) How has the RSA membership changed in the past few years - up, down, the same? Are there metropolitan areas that are not represented? What about international members?
The RSA was not immune to the effects of the Great Recession or in experiencing a slight pull back. However, the effect of this appears to be short term and we are once again in a growth phase.
Though we have representation in most major markets we do have open and underserved markets where we are actively seeking shareholders. Currently we have members in the US, Canada and Bermuda.
5) What will members get from the meeting in May? How many members attend?
We are very excited about our May meeting in New Orleans as we are introducing a new educational format with in depth breakout sessions. Our spring topics include: Integrating CRM systems; Equipment Sales Strategies; Technology & Trends; The Intricacies of Service Management and Financial Planning. Coupled with our traditional Vendors Reception and networking opportunities, it will be a value packed event in a great city.
We are preparing for over a hundred member attendees and a record setting number of vendors.
6) The reprographics industry has suffered in the past decade - what are your feelings about its future? Are you optimistic, pessimistic? Neutral?
Ah the future, if we only knew. Cautiously optimistic best describes what I am hearing from several of our affiliates. We know from the support functions that we provide that Q1 was a good start for many companies. Though the design and construction process has changed so has the line card for most members. With a majority of companies servicing a broader customer base and market, if the economy continues to strengthen it should be a good year. Past that, my crystal ball is cracked!
7) Do you think the reprographics industry will remain an identifiable group, or will the companies that call themselves reprographics firms eventually align themselves with other industries, like quick printing or sign making?
Great question and a simple answer would be yes I believe that the reprographer will remain as an identifiable group for the foreseeable future. Though we see overlap and convergence with many of the industries you note, the unique relationship that the reprographer holds within the AEC industry would be hard to replace. Reprographers for the most part have never been only printers and most have played an important role in document management and distribution, equipment and supply and to some degree technology in the design and build process. Through an RSA initiative, a number of RSA affiliates have become CSI certified, enhancing their ability to partner with the AEC community.