DIEMAKERS GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

Half of responding die shops are banking on service, whether customized, specialized, or value-added, to set them apart from competitors and lead them to their expansion goals. Another third believe quality will make their work consistently stand out from that of other shops.

Diemakers choose to market these competitive strengths in a wide variety of ways, led by developing a Web site (used by 46 percent), conducting onsite events/demonstrations (used by 35 percent), and exhibiting at trade shows (used by 31 percent). There was a definite undercurrent of renewed sales/marketing determination in diemakers' comments. "We are forced to be more aggressive by stronger selling and marketing," wrote one respondent. Commented another: "We have strong business strategies and are determined to succeed."