Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1451361
8 2 G R A P H I C S P R O A P R I L 2 0 2 2 G R A PH I C S - PR O.C O M A W A R D S & C U S T O M I Z A T I O N T he eects of labor market strain and shifts in corporate culture caused by the pandemic leaves many graphics businesses wondering what the future holds. According to our industry experts in the awards and recognition segment, the market is making a comeback. "e pandemic slammed this industry as it did most others," says Cathy Garcia, Marco Awards Group."ere is no question we lost many of our customers." However, moving ahead and away from this pandemic, Garcia sees signs of "'light at the end of the tunnel, 'survival', 'gaining strength' and other points of light that we might not have seen a year ago." e awards and recognition markets have been on a roller coaster the past two years, but things are looking up in all areas, says Dan Messerschmidt, JDS Industries. SUPPLY CHAIN AND LABOR STRAIN e pandemic led to several supply chainissues. Garcia reports: "For some it was not ordering enough merchandise and now strug- gling with trying to catch up.For others, enough merchandise was ordered, but due to competitor shortages, they are getting hit hard with potential challenges for the spring rush." Additionally, the vendor turnaround for oshore has been a challenge.It is not uncommon these days for many vendors, whether based in the United States or oshore to struggle with "labor force" issues. "Suce it to say that there is not enough labor, and it is increas- ingly expensive," Garcia explains. As a distributor with 31 warehouses, Garcia says Marco experiences labor issues at most of its locations. With the dicult labor market, more companies understand that to retain employees they must create a culture that not only rewards their employees but also acknowledges them for the work they have accomplished, says Bill Vitto, PDU CAT. "I feel in a tighter labor market companies who give recognition to their employees will fare better than those that don't. We see this with the growth of corporate awards this past year." As the "war for talent" continues, Messerschmidt says companies are realizing that a robust recognition program will help them attract and retain the best employees. The Current State of Corporate Awards and Recognition (Image courtesy Conde) How have awards accom- modated to labor strains and changes in the market? B Y J U L I A S C H R O E D E R he eects of labor market strain and shifts in corporate culture caused by the pandemic leaves was ordered, but due to competitor shortages, they are getting hit hard with potential challenges for the spring rush." been a challenge.It is not uncommon these days for many vendors, whether based in the United States or oshore to struggle with "labor force" issues. "Suce it to say that there is not enough labor, and it is increas ingly expensive," Garcia explains. As a distributor with 31