ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA (October 24, 2001) – Quick printers participating in the Printing Industries of America (PIA), Incorporated, 2001 Ratios survey, sponsored by Heidelberg, Printeralliance and printCafé, reported a decrease in profits in 2000. Before tax profit rates, as a percent of sales, declined from 4.11 percent in the 2000 survey, to 3.69 percent in the 2001 survey. Profit rates on sales for profit leaders (those firms in the top 25 percent of profitability) hit 12.11 percent in 2000, down from 13.81 percent in 1999. "The slight fall in quick printers’ financial performance reflects this sector’s tie to general economic conditions with the slowdown that began in the fourth quarter of last year," said Dr. Ron Davis, Ph.D., PIA chief economist. The survey respondents reported average sales per employee of $102,732, an increase from 1999’s figure of $83,888, and sales per factory employee of $136,511, a great deal more than 1999’s figure of $112,778. Profit leaders were more productive with sales per employee of $127,387 and sales per factory employee of $186,181. The major cost item for quick printers were materials cost (30.38 percent of sales) and factory payroll (24.02 percent of sales). Other factory expenses accounted for 21.43 percent of sales and administrative expenses were 18.61 percent. In its 80th year, PIA Ratios is the printing industry’s most accurate and valuable tool for strategic management, investment, productivity and profitability. Owners, managers and analysts use the reports to benchmark individual company operations against industry norms and profit leaders. The data collected are based on financial surveys of printers in the United States and Canada. This year, a total of 800 printers participated in the survey. Volume 11 provides detailed financial profiles of binders, including analysis of specific cost items, balance sheet data and other financial ratios. Published in 18 volumes, the reports are available by size of printer, process, products and geographic area. The cost for PIA/GATF members is $99 for each volume, or $750 for the full set. For nonmembers the cost is $199 per volume, or $1,500 for the full set. Prices do not include shipping and handling. To order the 2001 PIA Ratios, call the PIA/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation Bookstore toll free at 800/662-3916, or order online at www.gain.net.