A Cost Comparison and Profit Margin Study of Six South Dakota Printing Firms in Five Major Population Areas

This study should be helpful in suggesting various ways in which commercial printers in the general area of the plants studied might review their businesses by comparing cost figures, ratios, and profit margins wit firms in other states. From a thorough study of the material gathered from each plant, and by comparing costs and dollar volume, areas hitherto vaguely noticed as “leaks” in profit margin may be studied, and corrective measures taken. Six firms were chosen for this study from five of the larger cities in the state of South Dakota. A questionnaire was used in conjunction with on-site interviews. Tables are compiled and presented in this paper which define and compare costs in and between plants. Comparisons and contrasts are drawn from the tables for the purpose of analyzing the plants and for determining business trends and policies from one firm to another. Various conclusions were drawn for the purpose of determining strong and weak points in the individual firms