Coronavirus News


Roland study points to cautious optimism in digital print sector A


major Roland DG study of more than 340 digital print companies in the UK has revealed that despite the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is currently cautiously optimistic about its future. The study discovered that digital printers' most common three-year goal is increasing production capacity, with over a third (36%) describing it as their key objective.A further quarter (24%) of respondents described ‘expansion’ as their key business objective over the next three years. This includes expanding into new applications or markets with existing devices (9%) or into new technologies/ devices such as fabric or UV (9%). In light of the turbulence over the last six months, another third (34%) of those sampled were focused on digging in and maintaining what the business is currently doing. Encouragingly though, just 3% said they were looking to reduce and rationalise their offerings, and only 4% of


those polled expected to close or exit the business in the next 36 months. Paul Willems, director of business development and product management, EMEA, said: “We’re living through one of the harshest business environments in history, and yet this data shows that digital print shop owners are determined to look forward, stay positive and seize new opportunities. If ever you needed evidence of the resilience and entrepreneurship that defines our sector, this data is it.”


In a further sign of confidence, the majority of the respondents (51%) indicated that they would replace or purchase at least one new printer, cutter or engraving machine in the next 12 months, with one in eight (13%) planning to


replace or purchase two or more machines.


The study was conducted between November 5 and 22 with 343 respondents in the UK.


Screenworks provides Richard House Children’s Hospice with face coverings


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creenworks has donated 1,000 of its Bumpaa anti-viral face coverings to East London-based children’s hospice Richard House, through a


campaign called ‘Wear to Care’.


The initial donation of masks will be provided to Richard House staff; those working in the hospice and also in the community. They will also be given to volunteers working alongside the children and their


Staff wearing Bumpaa anti-viral face covering


families, and as gifts to the 200+ families who rely on the hospice for care and support. The work won’t stop there, both organisations have further plans to design a bespoke Richard House Children’s Hospice mask, which Screenworks can then create.


Vaccination campaign against COVID-19 begins D A


ubbed V-Day, the UK’s vaccination campaign against COVID-19 began on Tuesday, December 8.


The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was found to be safe and effective by the UK medicines regulator and has been approved for mass use in over-16s.


Initially only people aged over 80 will receive the vaccine, along with frontline health and care staff.


People will need to vaccinated twice, 21


days apart, with full immunity starting seven days after the second dose. Two other vaccines – developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna – could also soon be approved for widespread use. The second phase of the vaccination campaign, which will focus on the under-50s and professions such as teachers, transport workers and the military, is not likely to begin for several months.


Labour leader praises Alexandra for role in supporting NHS during pandemic


lexandra has been praised by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for its role in equipping and protecting frontline workers during the COVID-19 crisis. The Thornbury-based company turned its operations around in a matter of weeks, with over 90% of manufacturing capacity in its UK and international factories being switched to producing scrubs for the NHS.


Alexandra also marshalled and expanded its extensive supply chain network to source millions of pieces of personal protective


| 20 | January 2021


equipment (PPE) such as masks, nitrile gloves and aprons to support frontline NHS and care workers.


In a Zoom call with Alexandra’s leading figures, Sir Keir said: “Those who are on the frontline need the protective clothing you are producing and could not do what they are doing without you doing what you do. “You must have a special sense of pride in what you have done over the last few months and knowing the role you have played in the national effort.”


COVID-19 shock heralds a decade of digitisation and disruption for global print


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orth a total of $743.4 billion in 2020, the global print industry will see this as a liminal year that will redefine its future across the 2020s.


The coronavirus crisis will act to accelerate trends already evident in the market – a diminishing importance of publications and graphics work pushing print businesses towards packaging print, and the implementation of smarter, more digitised, short-run printing.


Post-COVID scenario projections in the new Smithers report – The Future of Print to 2030 – shows total output in 2020 will be 41.4 trillion A4 print equivalents; down 13.4% on 2019. This has seen global value drop from $814.7 billion to $743.4 billion. Publication, advertising and graphic applications have been worst affected; while packaging and label print is proving more resilient.


A revival of normal business activity in 2021 will see the market rebound slightly to reach $752.8 billion; but much of the volume lost in 2020 will not return. Value growth will return to push the market to $846 billion in 2030, as it undergoes a profound redefinition.


● To read the report in full visit www.smithers.com


www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk


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