More graphics suppliers are retiring, consolidating, closing, or being acquired. Here’s what manufacturers should be doing now.
For years, manufacturers have focused on supply chain risks involving electronics, metals, molded components, and critical assemblies.
Few have given much thought to graphics.
But across the industry, something is happening that more purchasing, supply chain, and operations teams are beginning to notice:
Screen printers are disappearing.
Some are retiring. Some are struggling to find skilled operators. Others are being acquired by larger organizations. Some have simply decided it’s time to close shut down their screen printing department or close down the doors entirely.
Whatever the reason, manufacturers that have relied on the same graphics supplier for years are increasingly finding themselves asking an uncomfortable question:
What happens if our supplier isn’t there tomorrow?
Why Are Graphics Suppliers Disappearing?
The graphics industry is consolidating. As owners retire and companies consolidate, many long-standing screen printers are being sold, merged, or closed altogether.
Even when a supplier remains in business after an acquisition, customers often find the experience changes. Technical expertise can be lost, manufacturers divest in screen prinitng for digital printing (learn the benefits of screen printing here), service models evolve, and smaller programs may receive less attention as organizations prioritize larger accounts.
For manufacturers, the real risk isn’t losing a supplier. It’s losing the knowledge, responsiveness, and support that have kept their graphics program running smoothly for years. Learn more about how we our ISO quality controls and customer service helps programs run smoothy.
The Hidden Cost
Many organizations unknowingly rely on a single graphics supplier for years. It makes sense on the surface. The supplier understands the application, quality is consistent, and reordering is easy.
The problem is that convenience can create exposure.
If one supplier is responsible for every decal, label, overlay, or printed component in your operation, any disruption immediately becomes your disruption. That’s why more procurement, operations, and supply chain leaders are asking a simple question:
“If our graphics supplier disappeared tomorrow, what would we do?”
Most companies assume the challenge is simply finding another printer. In reality, that’s often the easy part.
The real cost comes from rebuilding years of program knowledge, including:
- Missing artwork files
- Obsolete materials
- Product requalification
- Recreating color standards
- Production delays
- Engineering resources
- Procurement time
- Quality validation efforts
What appears to be a straightforward supplier transition can quickly become a significant internal project, consuming time, resources, and attention across multiple departments.
If the answer to that question isn’t clear today, the risk may be larger than you think. Take this 60 second risk assessment test to learn how insulated you are.
Why More Manufacturers Are Looking For A Backup Plan
Forward-thinking manufacturers are increasingly looking beyond a single-source strategy.
Not because they plan to move the business.
Because they want options.
Qualifying a backup graphics supplier can provide:
- Business continuity
- Capacity flexibility
- Cost benchmarking
- Reduced supply chain risk
- Additional manufacturing capabilities
- Faster response during emergencies
A qualified secondary source acts as insurance.
You hope you never need it, but you’re grateful to have it when circumstances change.
The Unexpected Benefit
Something interesting often happens when manufacturers begin evaluating an alternative graphics partner.
They discover opportunities.
A fresh look at an existing program frequently uncovers:
- Cost reduction opportunities
- Material alternatives
- Improved durability
- Better lead times
- Consolidated vendors
- Additional print technologies
- Process improvements
- Inventory efficiencies
Sometimes the exercise starts as risk mitigation and ends with a stronger graphics program.
Learn more about our high level added benefits here.
Program Rescue
Program Rescue was designed to help manufacturers reduce risk, recover from supplier disruptions, and establish qualified production alternatives before problems occur.
Whether you’re dealing with a supplier closure, looking for a secondary source, consolidating vendors, or simply evaluating your current program, the goal is straightforward:
Protect production and improve results.
Our team reviews existing graphics programs to identify potential risks, cost savings, quality improvements, and manufacturing opportunities before production begins.
Learn more about Program Rescue.
Who is Program Rescue for?
- Manufacturers looking to reduce supplier risk
– Qualify a secondary source before a disruption occurs and get centralized documentation. - Printers extending their capabilities
– Access large format screen printing, die-cutting converting, or specialty processes without additional capital investment. - Companies navigating supplier changes
– Whether a supplier retired, was acquired, or can no longer support your program. - Organizations consolidating vendors
– Simplify procurement and reduce supplier complexity.
Don’t Wait For An Emergency
The worst time to find a new graphics supplier is when you need product immediately.
The best time is before there’s a problem.
If your current supplier doesn’t have large format screen printing or die-cutting, closed, was acquired, or simply can’t keep up with demand or lead times, having a qualified backup plan can mean the difference between a smooth transition and a costly disruption.
And even if nothing changes tomorrow, understanding your options today may uncover opportunities you didn’t know existed. Take the risk assessment quiz, learn more about Program Rescue, or sign up for next month’s knowledge drop to learn more!
On the other hand, if you can’t wait or are ready to get help RIGHT NOW – click here, and we’ll talk today!