SGIA and PIA Merge

The “new name” of the combined association:  

PRINTING United Alliance

SGIA/PIA Merger Explained:  The much-anticipated merger of SGIA and PIA has finally occurred. In this interview with Ford Bowers, President and CEO of the combined organization, by Senior Editor Cary Sherburne, many of the behind-the-scenes details are revealed.

https://www.printingnews.com/business-and-operations-management/article/21132722/sgiapia-merger-explained

Blog Publisher’s Comment:

For older folks (like me), this is a “historical event” in the Print & Graphics Industry, for this merger is a perfect example of how advances in imaging technology – over the past 25 years - have blurred the lines that used to exist between the sub-industries that operate under the larger Print & Graphics Industry umbrella.

Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) is the trade association of choice for professionals in the industrial, graphic, garment, textile, electronics, packaging and commercial printing communities looking to grow their business into new market segments through the incorporation of the latest printing technologies. SGIA membership comprises these diverse segments, all of which are moving rapidly towards digital adoption. As long-time champions of digital technologies and techniques, SGIA is the community of peers you are looking for to help navigate the challenges of this process.

Although I am a veteran of the “Reprographics” Industry, I did attend an SGIA expo/trade show back in 1991.  At that time, I was the COO of one of the country’s then largest “contract” textile screenprinting companies (plants in GA, AL and CA.) Back then, the SGIA was attended by two types of firms – those involved in textile printing (T-shirts, sweatshirts, cut pieces) and those involved in screen printing parts and paper (like posters.) Back then, you would not have found a reprographer at an SGIA expo….. that came later.

We all know the PIA as the association that used to cater specifically to firms in the offset printing business.  Years ago, very few “offset” printing companies had digital printing equipment, nor did very many offer any sort of wide or grand-format print services.

Anyway, due to the “lines blurring” and overlapping, the PIA and SGIA have now come together, forming one association that serves offset printers, screen printers, and digital printing companies of all types.  (For now, the APDSP remains a separate association serving the “Reprographics” Industry.)