How Printing Innovation Drives Supply Chain Efficiency & Profitability

Print production is evolving rapidly, reshaping both the economics of publishing and the way supply chains are designed. From advances in inkjet printing and digital finishing to growing domestic capabilities and new inventory models, publishers now have more options—and more trade-offs—than ever before.

This May Lunch & Learn will examine how print technologies and production choices intersect with inventory strategy, distribution, and cost efficiency.

Topics will include:

• How developments in digital and inkjet printing are changing production economics
• The expanding range of domestic print and finishing services—and when overseas production still makes sense
• POD, microstock, economic ordering, and automated replenishment: how different inventory strategies work and combine
• Balancing printing technologies against inventory risk and service levels
• The operational foundations required to support these models, including file management, PO systems, and distribution workflows

Designed as an interactive discussion, this session will help participants better understand the universe of printing and inventory options available today—and how to align them into a cohesive, resilient supply chain strategy.

As with all BISG Supply Chain Lunch & Learns, the session will be participatory, with time for questions, shared experiences, and practical insights. 

Featured Speakers

ASHLEY GORDON is Vice President, Digital Print Solutions for Sheridan, a unit of the CJK Group. Her experience in the publishing industry includes previously held positions as the Vice-President of Business Development for technology start-ups Sprout and SharedBook, Director of Channel Development for Ingram Content Group’s Lightning Source, and strategy consultant to clients including National Association of College Stores, Cengage, SIPX, and FlatWorld. She is the former editor of River City Publishing and the founder of Mockingbird Publishing, an indie press that partners with nonprofit organizations to create custom book projects, including Every Mother Counts, Library For All, and Aid to Inmate Mothers. Ashley is a member of BISG's Board of Directors.

MATT KENNELL is Executive Director of Sales and 4th-generation management at Versa Press, an industry leader in U.S. Book Manufacturing. Matt works at the cross-section of book publishing and book manufacturing, bringing a deep understanding of the global book publishing supply chain to the company and its book publishing clients. At Versa Press, he is responsible for managing its ERP system, advising on and integrating new technologies and equipment in its operations and rolling those capabilities out to publisher clients. Matt currently serves at the Chair of BISG's Board of Directors.

About the Supply Chain Lunch & Learn Series

BISG's Supply Chain Lunch & Learns are always highly interactive, so you'll have a chance to contribute at the session. If you have any specific questions you'd like us to cover in this Lunch & Learn, you may send them in advance to info@bisg.org or simply add them to the chat during the session.

To allow participants to speak—and not just type questions—these sessions are conducted in a Zoom meeting (rather than webinar) format. Please take a moment to ensure that your microphone is muted until you'd like to contribute. While we encourage you to attend the live session, the conversation will be recorded and shared with registrants after the session takes place.