Supply Chain Links

He counts two primary schools of thought emerging among package printers in regards to e-commerce: first, proactive printers interested in marketing Web-based service, and second, converters reacting to customers' demands for such services.

Tailored Solutions, which services the narrow-web converting market with its Label Traxx system, has observed a distinct rise-and-fall pattern in regards to e-commerce buzz. President Ken Meinhardt saw a considerable build-up through 1999 and 2000, but laments, "As the markets changed and companies were further educated in what is involved to effectively integrate e-commerce, interest dropped off." The sluggish economy has further discouraged potential investment, Meinhardt adds, because printers are now focusing solely on sales and profit generation.