The Slave Labor Panel Discussion Was Great! Really?

by ray stasieczko September 09, 2023

The Slave Labor Panel Discussion Was Great! Really?
Our industry has gotten so used to gratuitous nonsense that sometimes I wonder if the industry's actors can evaluate realities.

A month ago, I challenged the Business Technology Association on a couple of issues, one regarding my insistence on Ninestar Corporation, the banned PRC company that owns Lexmark, to be removed from the BTA's website as a sponsor. I also suggested that the BTA discuss the subject at the Boston Event; both suggestions were accommodated.

Unfortunately, as I suggested in my recap episode after the event, I believe the BTA did not put the effort into the discussion. It seemed as the BTA had the forum because they thought they had to instead of wanting to.

This Boston BTA event could have been a profound meeting regarding a serious issue. The print industry could have set the tone regarding (PRC) companies, People's Republic China being banned by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over the Uyghurs Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). Instead, the BTA is taking the wait-and-see approach. Sadly, the BTA is following over leading.

The Panel discussion started as I suggested it should in my video. The first thing shown was the invitation to Lexmark to participate and the response from Lexmark declining the invitation.

Unfortunately, the BTA missed the opportunity to express more details regarding (why?) The BTA wanted Lexmark as a participant. It is within that why where the details of Lexmark's realities reside.

The BTA could have shared the details of Lexmark's response posted on their website regarding their owner Ninestar being banned. That response was complete nonsense, and the entire industry knows that.

Lexmark has and continues touting that they are self-governed with an independent board. So, Lexmark is hiding from reality, and its leadership is attempting to cover up the facts of Lexmark's owners, a PRC company called Ninestar.

The Moderator/panel should have expressed their true thoughts regardless of how painful those thoughts would be to Lexmark. After all, Lexmark received an invitation, one they refused to accept.

Unfortunately, with this issue as others, our industry's leaders seem too focused on appeasing everyone over dealing with reality.

The BTA started a conversation in Boston. Now, they must decide if they intend to play politics and appeasement or if they intend to help dealers navigate through a very serious issue. The BTA should be fighting for the dealers, not appeasing OEMs or the CPC.

In closing, I want to disclose that, I volunteered my time and efforts to help the BTA with this panel, but they declined. Of course, I don't need the BTA's permission to help them. Hopefully, this article provides them with food for thought.

Ray Stasieczko