CONTENTS SPDI Editor’s comment


MANAGING EDITOR Jon Barrett


jbarrett@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01622 850044 Fax: 01622 851378


SALES MANAGER Richard Smith


rsmith@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01622 699172 Fax: 01622 757646


DIGITAL FEATURES EDITOR Tracey Rushton-Thorpe trushtonthorpe@datateam.co.uk Tel: 01733 266990 Fax: 01733 266990


SCREEN FEATURES EDITOR Peter Kiddell


peter.kiddell@pdsinternational.com Tel: 01226 770772 Fax: 01226 294797


Profits up but so are costs


In a departure from my traditional leader style, I’m devoting the first of 2011 to highlighting some ups and downs in the latest BPIF Printing Outlook report. Respondents were asked to cite their top business concerns. In order of priority respondents said: Predatory pricing (65%); paper or board prices (55%); survival of major customers (18%), followed closely by private sector cutbacks, public sector cutbacks and late payment. The past three months saw a marked improvement in profit levels, with more than two-third of print firms recording earnings of 4.5 per cent and above. Regarding margins, no less than four-fifths of firms expect margins to remain constant.


There were no surprises regarding paper and board costs. More than three-quarters paid more over the past three months. Three-fifths expect to pay higher charges in the coming three months, with more than a third anticipating increased prices for ink and just under a third expecting to pay more for energy. Investment intentions are looking upbeat, with 93 per cent set to invest in plant and machinery over the next 12 months and 47 per cent expecting to spend more than last year.


The comprehensive spending review and government cutbacks will affect the printing industry, with the uncertainty already having an impact. Over three-fifths of printers working in the public sector noted a decline in the value of public sector work and it is estimated that over one-third of the value of public sector work has already been lost.


Jon Barrett, Editor


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The editorial photographs/materials in this issue/are courtesy of the suppliers whose products they feature. The Editor and Publishers do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept responsibility for any errors in the transmission of the subject matter in this publication. In all matters the Editor’s decision is final.


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vol 61 no 1 January/February 2011 l SCREEN PROCESS AND DIGITAL IMAGING 3


January/February 2011


SHINING BRIGHT! THE VISION SUCCESS STORY


Inside: llll News llll Digital: Large Format Printers llll Screen: Standing its ground llll What's New


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