A survey conducted before the outbreak of the coronavirus and the postponement of drupa shows a global print industry that remained positive but reflected more challenging global economic conditions. "Printers are recognising the need to innovate – by launching new products and services in their existing markets or by entering new markets."
The full 7th drupa Global Trends Report will be published later in April 2020
“North America remains buoyant but confidence has slipped in Europe and across all other regions,” says a Global Trends Report preview released by drupa. “Developing regions are held back by concerns about political instability and corruption, while developed regions are nervous of an inevitable cyclical economic downturn.
“There is constant pressure on margins but increasingly the better companies counter this by continual innovation. Investment plans remain strong, as printers and suppliers all recognise the need to remain competitive."
The results, from a survey conducted before the outbreak of the coronavirus and the postponement of drupa to April 2021, show a global industry that “remained positive but reflected more challenging global economic conditions. Packaging and Functional market sectors are better placed than Publishing and Commercial.”
The findings come from the 7th major annual survey issued last November to the drupa Expert Panel of senior decision takers recruited from printers and exhibitors at drupa 2016 and run by Printfuture (UK) and Wissler & Partner (CH).
Almost 600 printers and almost 200 suppliers participated with all regions well represented.
“Globally 17% more printers described their company’s economic condition as ‘good’ compared with those who reported it as ‘poor’. For suppliers the net positive balance was even stronger at +32%.
“The Packaging market sector thrives best with Functional, Commercial and Publishing following in that order. Indeed, an increasing number of Commercial and Publishing printers are attempting to diversify into the other two markets. Financial measures confirm these trends with margins struggling in all market sectors, but Publishing showing the clearest evidence of active decline in revenues.
“For several years printers have responded to the constant pressure on margins by increasing turnover and keeping costs to a minimum. Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa and Global Head Print Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, commented: ‘Increasingly we are seeing clear evidence that whilst cost reducing steps will continue, printers are recognising the need to innovate – by launching new products and services in their existing markets or by entering new markets.’
“Hence, investment plans remain strong with more printers in all regions reporting they will raise capital expenditure next year than those reporting a decrease. Again, the balance of those increasing investment by market was positive for all, but strongest in Packaging then Functional, Commercial and finally Publishing.
“Finishing is the most popular investment target followed by Print technology and then PrePress/Workflow/MIS.”
The full report in English will be released by the end of April and available for sale from www.drupa.com The executive summary will be available for free in German, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian and Chinese.
