With printing efficiency becoming ever more important to the entire industry, the Book Manufacturers’ Institute will hold its first conference to address the topic February 10-11 in New York City. Book Manufacturing Mastered, BMI said, has been designed to provide production professionals and book publishers with information on the latest technologies and practices for efficient print book manufacturing.

The event will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on February 10 with a panel discussion on digital print-on-demand technology, which will be produced by BISG, moderated by David Hetherington of knk Software, and feature supply chain experts. That two-hour session will be followed by a BMI session which will address how publishers can select the right partners for their printing and binding needs.

Programming on Tuesday includes a session on planning, with a focus on cost estimating and budgeting for the lifecycle of the book. This panel will feature Brad Sharp of Bookmasters, Mike Collinge of Marquis Book Printing, and Kathleen Lewis of Publishers’ Graphics.

Other Tuesday sessions include:

  • “Pre-press Success,” a talk delivered by Dirk Hiler of LSC Communications
  • “Standardizing to Streamline Book Production,” which will be moderated by BISG executive director, Brian O’Leary
  • A discussion on innovations in paper and understanding the paper market with Bill Rojack of Midland Paper, Jeff Hansen of Horizon Paper, and David Elovich of Rolland
  • A panel on finishing and cover options with Joe Dunham of LBS, Irene Richard of Neenah Paper Inc., Andy Fetherman of Muller Martini Corp., and Kent Larson of Bridgeport National Bindery
  • A dialogue regarding warehousing, fulfillment, and distribution featuring Mike Seagram of Publishers Storage and Shipping and Carrick Wilkie of Publiship Logistics

Matt Baehr, executive director of BMI, said the inaugural event will focus on actionable information for publishers. Committed speakers, Baehr said, are knowledgeable professionals who will provide “practical information that [publishers] can use right away to improve the way they approach all stages of book manufacturing, from estimating to finishing.”