Landmark Australian study to scope printing industry

Printing Industries Association of Australia (Printing Industries) has commissioned consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte) to undertake the project to examine the paper and printing industry by sector (commercial printing, security printing, instant printing, etc.), by major product category (book printing, magazine printing, newspaper printing, label printing, general printing, etc.) and by process (web printing, sheetfed printing, screen printing, digital printing).

The study is being sponsored by Swanbank Paper, the fine paper mill on the drawing board for Queensland.

Printing Industries CEO, Gary Donnison, (pictured) said the study was the first to profile the entire paper and printing industry value chain. The Print21 Action Agenda had identified the need for a comprehensive industry study as a major industry priority.

“It will examine products produced, print processes, emerging trends and major industry issues as well as making projections for the future,” he said. “This project will provide the information necessary for companies to make critical business development decisions. The findings will act as a key sustainability driver for the industry.

“We are very grateful for the support of Swanbank Paper to help us to undertake this study on behalf of the industry,” he said. “The information will provide new market intelligence for the industry and be a very important tool for Printing Industries to fulfill its lobbying and industry development objectives.

Swanbank Paper CEO, Joe Foster, said the company was pleased to sponsor the industry study of paper and printing in Australia.

“The industry has long needed a comprehensive survey and we are confident that this study will be valuable to industry participants and other interested parties,” he said.

The study will examine industry growth for the past five years and projected growth for the next five, focusing on turnover, gross product, employment and numbers of establishments.

It will identify market segmentation and size in products including books (uncoated and coated), magazines, catalogues and inserts, newspapers, labels and pressure sensitive adhesives, greeting cards, calendars and diaries, stationery, directories and copy paper (office versus digital).

Process demographics such as web printing (both narrow web and wide web), sheet-fed printing, screen printing and digital printing will be documented.

Technology impacts on the industry will be assessed for industry sectors and projections made on anticipated impacts.

Current and future profit and capital expenditure trends will be examined. Trends in paper consumption by types of paper, grade, and grammage and production process will be surveyed as well as ink consumption.

The study will also look at import and export trends, the impact of digital and electronic media and the Internet and current and future environmental pressures. The paper supply chain will be analysed and future trends identified.

The research project is expected to take about two-three months to complete. Researchers will be contacting companies immediately to schedule face-to-face interviews beginning in early November. The research findings are scheduled to be released early in 2005.