Of the companies responding to the survey, 25.7 percent provide installation services only, 59.1 percent provide both printing and installation services, and 13.5 percent provide only printing services.
 
Companies were asked to indicate the total number of employees on staff in their company, followed by the number of installers employed. Companies providing both printing and installation services were most likely to have between one and ten full time employees, and between one and three installers on staff. Companies providing installation only were also most likely to have between one and ten full time employees, and between one and three installers on staff.
 
The survey asked companies to select from a provided list all applications they serve. Among print and install companies, the top three applications served were vehicle marking, glass and interior walls. The application least served by this group was buildings, 21 feet or more above street level. For installation-only companies, the top three applications served were semi-trucks and trailers, transit vehicles and vehicle wraps. The applications least served by this group was walls, interior, non-pressure-sensitive wallpaper.
 
Companies were asked to select from a provided list all areas served by their businesses. Print and install companies ranged from 85.1 percent serving local clients, to 22.8 percent serving international clients. Installation-only companies ranged from 95.5 percent serving local clients, to 27.3 percent serving international clients.
 
Next, the survey asked companies to select from a list their expected sales growth for calendar year 2010. Companies providing both printing and installation services had an optimistic outlook. A strong majority (more than 80 percent), expect positive growth. Companies offering installation only had a slightly less optimistic response, with nearly 70 percent expecting positive growth.
 
Survey participants were asked, in a open-response question, to provide their opinion on the biggest challenge for their installation business. Among companies that both print and install, the top two responses were decreasing prices, followed by finding and keeping good installers. Among installation-only businesses, the top two responses were getting business and decreasing prices.
 
Next, survey participants were asked, in an open-response question, to provide their opinion of what the biggest challenge is for the graphics installation industry. Among companies that both print and install, the top two responses were decreasing prices and competing with unqualified installers. Among installation-only businesses, the top two responses were decreasing prices and economic conditions.
 
Of those companies responding to the survey that are print providers who offer no installation services, 60.9 percent report that they utilize the services of graphics installers. 65.2 percent said seeking a certified installer was either important of somewhat important.
 
Members of PDAA will have access to a full survey report, available late March.
 
Submitted by: Dan Marx, PDAA (more…)

 
In the process of growing their businesses from local or regional service to national service, the successful delivery and installation of wide-format graphics has become a critical factor, and significant challenge.
 
For many graphics providers, the printing and in-house finishing they do is often the easy part, mainly because they, their company and their staff have control over process variables. When the job moves outside the walls of the facility, however, challenges can arise, particularly when the graphics must be installed. Installation is a crucial, final step in the graphics creation process, and is often done out of their view and out of their control.
 
A significant challenge is to find a graphics installer that can not only do the job right, but also do so professionally. Graphics producers can easily manage this challenge by working with the Master Certified Installers of PDAA. PDAA Master Certified Installers have undergone stringent proficiency testing, and have proven their ability to apply the materials of numerous manufacturers to a wide variety of surfaces and objects.
 
Using the services of PDAA Master Certified Installers, graphics producers are able to produce printed, finished graphics for truck and bus graphics, vehicle wraps, window graphics, floor graphics, wall graphics and more, and put them into the hands of a group of installers – positioned across the country – that can successfully complete that final, critical step.
 
Connecting with PDAA Master Certified Installers is easy, simply use the PDAA Find an Installer Search at www.sgia.org/pdaa.