October 12, 2004 -- In what is becoming a not-to-miss annual event for Graph Expo show-goers, hosted by WhatTheyThink and sponsored by MAN Roland, Dr. Joe Webb, well-known industry expert, presented to a packed hall. Attended by nearly 200 printers, suppliers, media and consultants, his presentation, entitled Revolutionizing the Printing Industry, gave attendees food for thought as they go back to their businesses following the show. He told the audience that the revolution in the printing industry must come in the way we look at our businesses and manage our businesses in the face of increasing competition from alternative communications media. Yves Rogivue Chief Executive Officer of MAN Roland Inc. the North American division of MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG, kicked off the session with a discussion of the importance of CIM to the printing industry, emphasizing that printers have only two options for increasing profits--increasing revenues or reducing costs. He pointed out that CIM, a common practice in other manufacturing segments, is a key enabler for the printing industry to be able to contain costs and that printers must begin to think of their businesses as a manufacturing operation. MAN Roland joined with several other industry innovators in an operating workflow demonstration at Graph Expo called CIMcity. In his presentation, Dr. Webb indicated that the revolution in the printing industry will by driven by three elements: innovation, change in the way printing businesses are managed, and improved productivity. He included a "to do" list for sustainable print profitability that should be front and center on the desk of every print business owner. Dr. Webb’s presentation, and Mr. Rogivue’s CIM-related comments, stimulated a lively discussion as many members of the audience opted to remain for an extended question and answer session. “We were honored by MAN Roland’s decision to sponsor this important event once again,” said Randy Davidson, President of WhatTheyThink.com. “The dialog that Dr. Webb’s views stimulate is an important catalyst in the transition our industry must undergo.” Dr. Joe Webb is a recognized marketing authority, forecaster and one of the best known speakers in our industry. He contributes a weekly column at WhatTheyThink.com for Premium Access Members entitled “Fridays with Dr. Joe Webb.” The column offers timely analysis of recent economic data as well as management advice for senior printing and publishing executives. A copy of Dr. Webb’s presentation, including audio, can be downloaded here: http://members.whattheythink.com/home/ge041012djw.cfm About WhatTheyThink.com: WhatTheyThink.com is the print and publishing industry's leading online community. The company offers a mixture of free and subscription-based content for industry executives. Additionally, WhatTheyThink.com provides a robust content syndication program serving related web sites. About MAN Roland MAN Roland is taking the computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) concept to the next level at Graph Expo 2004, joining with several other industry innovators in an operating workflow demonstration called CIMcity (Booth 1017). Its purpose is to create a real world JDF production environment that will show Graph Expo visitors how they can combine open systems in prepress, press and postpress to create customized workflows to best serve their markets and their customers. MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG is the world's second largest printing press manufacturer and the world's market leader in web press and newspaper printing technology. (Every third newspaper produced in the world is printed on a MAN Roland press. In fact, every day, 330 million people read daily newspapers that were printed on MAN Roland presses.) With main facilities in Offenbach and Augsburg, Germany, MAN Roland generates annual sales of over $1.8 billion. Exports account for 75% of the figure. MAN Roland produces web and sheetfed offset presses as well as digital printing systems for commercial printers, newspaper printers, publishers, packaging producers, quick printers and in-plant print shops. The company is a subsidiary of MAN Aktiengesellschaft, Munich. The MAN Group is one of Europe's leading suppliers of capital goods, with 64,000 employees whose expertise ranges from commercial vehicle manufacturing to engineering. Its annual sales total $17 billion. For more information visit www.manroland.com.