The fourth annual Global Trends report from Drupa supports the thesis print is recovering from both the 2007/8 financial crisis and the global shift towards digital communications.
The results were based off a survey run by specialist print consultancy firm Printfuture, which was completed by senior managers who visited drupa last year, almost 850 printers and over 300 suppliers representing all regions and markets.
The survey found that globally 42 per cent of printers described their business as in a good economic condition in 2016, with just 11 per cent reporting it as poor, a net balance of 31 per cent positive, the highest recorded global result of the report series. Prospects for 2017 are better with a net balance of 46 per cent positive.
This year also revealed a possible pause in the historic rise in the proportion of turnover coming from digital print. 28 per cent of printers in 2015 reported that more than one quarter of their turnover was digital while the figure for 2016 dropped to 27 per cent, moving down for the first time.
Sabine Geldermann, director drupa, Messe Duesseldorf, says, “Last year’s drupa showcased a global print industry that has regained its confidence in the future, with lots of fresh technology and applications demonstrated to enthuse both printers and their customers alike. This report shows that whilst levels of confidence vary between regions and markets, overall the print industry is on the up and will invest strongly to secure a prosperous future.”
“All printers, whatever market or region they are based in, know that if they are to succeed in the long term, they must continue to adapt to the changing market and economic conditions. This needs a ruthless approach to efficiency and automation while at the same time learning new skills and adding new added value services. Nevertheless, it is pleasing to report that overall, print has got its ‘mojo’ back.”
According to the report, the industry has strong plans for capital investment with finishing the priority and sheetfed offset leading press investment plans.
Australian Printer will follow up when the full report is released.
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