Alexandria, VA (April 1, 2002) How do your operations compare with high performance printers of similar size, process and market focus? Are your payroll and benefit costs higher or lower? Are your employees more or less productive? Is your bottom line better or worse? More importantly, how can you improve your operations to achieve better cash flow and profitability? These and other questions can be answered by data from the Ratio Reports. There are 18 specialized volumes that provide specific data for sheetfed printers, heatset web printers, general commercial printers, book manufacturers and other markets. The Printing Industries of America is currently conducting an annual survey to generate the Ratios Report series. This series of 18 reports, to be released in June or July, includes an extensive breakdown of statistics sorted by particular demographics. Statistics on profitability, cost drivers, balance sheet items, leverage and funding ratios, and general compensation levels are available. "We converted our cost accounting system to conform to the Ratios chart of accounts to benchmark our cost to industry profit leaders. This helped to keep a tight rein on costs as our sales have grown, moving more income to the bottom line. Three years ago we used the Ratios to help us make the decision to bring digital prepress in-plant and have used them to track the financial benefits from the move," said Jim Barker, President, Richardson PrintingKansas City, Missouri (50 employees). With the business conditions you face in 2002 from the challenging economy, competitive print markets and energy issues, you need up-to-date information from PIA Ratios -- the premier printing industry benchmarking tool since 1921. High performance printers use the Ratios reports every year to maintain their edge. "The PIA Ratios provide Colorcraft with invaluable information to enable us to plan our capital expenditures and to benchmark our profitability against industry leaders of similar size and process," said Jim Mayes, Colorcraft of Virginia Sterling, Virginia (100 employees). There are a number of changes in the 2002 survey that make it easier to participate and provide more useful data. PIA has introduced on-line collection of survey data in addition to current postal mailing system, which allows for automatic submission of survey data through MIS systems. The surveys have been re-designed with a modern look, enhanced graphics and improved narrative and explanatory text.