The annual All Party Parliamentary Print Group Reception will take place at the Church House Conference Centre in Westminster on 9 July this year. The event, which usually takes place at the House of Commons, has been temporarily moved this year across the road to Church House, a grade II listed building in Dean’s Yard, which is located behind Westminster Abbey. The theme of this year’s reception is ‘Adding Value’ and the event will take place between 3.30pm and 5.30pm. This is a great opportunity to meet your local MP, leaders of the printing industry and your BPIF representatives from across the regions, over a glass of wine.

A copy of the BPIF Annual Review 2008 is being sent to all members and associate members this week. Under the heading of Focusing on the future, the Review sets out how the BPIF has added nearly £145m in value to our members over the past year. Individual sections cover our work in membership services, commercial activities, industry representation and environmental support, as well as a financial review and the audited accounts for the year ending 31 March 2008. To download a PDF of the report click here

The BPIF-Printing World 2008 Excellence Awards were held at the London Hilton on Monday night (30 June) and attended by over 450 people. We would like to extend our thanks to all our sponsors, particularly our headline sponsors Antalis and Konica Minolta. For a full list of the winners click here

The optimism that preceded last quarter’s Directions survey was not carried along into the latest report of the BPIF’s survey of industry trading trends published on Wednesday (25 June), covering the period from March to May. Instead the reality of the economic slowdown came knocking on the doors of print companies, as rising prices and a tightened market cruelly dashed any hopes of defying the downturn. View the latest press release and download current and back issues here.

A programme developed jointly between the BPIF and Loughborough University for the print and graphic communication sector. It unlocks the approach to management and leadership skills and allows candidates the opportunity to share experiences with like-minded individuals.

Earlier this month, Richmond Printers, based in Leicester and owned by Martyn Kube concluded a deal to acquire Cavendish Printers also based in Leicester to create a £9 million turnover B1/2 sheet fed business.

Cavendish Printers formerly part of The Clondalkin Group is well known for producing high quality print for corporate marketing collateral. Richmond is known for its passionate approach to customer service and Martyn Kube comments. ‘ This is a fantastic opportunity to blend the best of two businesses and create a stronger business model for the future. There is a future in print, but you need to constantly look to adapt and change. What customers always want is strong customer service and we have built our business on delivering this. I look forward to developing a relationship with Cavendish customers and its workforce. I am looking to develop complimentary range of services.’

BPIF McInnes corporate have been working with Martyn Kube for some time reviewing options for growth and positive change and the timing of the opportunity could not have been better as it offers the chance for Richmonds to relocate into Cavendish, a purpose built site.

The Modular Improvement Programme (MIP) developed specifically for printers with less than 25 staff allows small companies to see how they can gain significant savings through applying systematic, continuous improvement techniques to their businesses. The flexibility afforded by the modular nature of MIP is ideal for small, busy businesses where time and resource are at a premium.

Click here for further details or contact Helen Dunn on 020 7915 8320 or Helen.dunn@visioninprint.co.uk

Bookings are now being taken for Team Leader Training 11, this course takes place in the South East of England and will commence on 10/11 September. This is the final course for 2008 so book now to avoid disappointment. Team Leader Training is a print-specific training programme designed and run by ViP engineers and BPIF HR experts who really know what printers need to manage their businesses better.Places are filling up fast, for further details contact Helen Dunn on 020 7915 8320 or Helen.dunn@visioninprint.co.uk
To book your place click here

The April inflation figure effectively eliminated the chances of another rate cut this year. After all, cutting interest rates and the imminent prospect of writing letters to the Chancellor to explain why inflation is above target are uneasy bedfellows. Inflation seems likely to keep the MPC's fingers away from the 'cut' button at least until the end of the year. This means that the MPC is almost certain to keep rates on hold, even if the domestic economy starts to feel the pinch. Further economic commentary is available from the RBS UK Monthly Economic Update here.

RPI inflation rose to 4.3 per cent in May, up from 4.2 per cent in April. The main upward contribution came from changes in the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages, with additional upward contributions from gas and electricity bills and books, newspapers and stationery. The main downward contribution came from mortgage interest payments. CPI annual inflation - the Government's target measure - was 3.3 per cent in May, up from 3.0 per cent in April. Now that CPI inflation has risen more than one percentage point above the government's 2% target, the Bank of England governor must write a letter to the government to explain what it action it is taking to control consumer prices. The Bank governor has only been required to do this on one occasion before, this time more letters are expected in the forthcoming months. For more information click here

PRICES JUMPED by 8.9% from the same month a year earlier, the Office for National Statistics said. Input prices also shot up, 27.6% higher on the year.

The quickest growth since records began in 1986, it was driven by higher food, scrap metal and energy costs.

The data was much worse than analysts had expected, and came amid signs that the UK's economic growth is slowing and consumer confidence is crumbling.

A survey from the British Retail Consortium on Monday claimed that consumer confidence in the UK had tumbled to a record low due to rising prices and falling property values.

Month on month, the output prices measure for all manufactured products rose 1.6 per cent in May, mainly reflecting rises in other manufactured product prices and petroleum products.

For more information, click here

Too many overs and too much stock may become waste and can sap a business’s profits. It’s not just overs and stock, too much make ready or run waste, poor quality, plate defects, incorrect job specs, scrap and reprints are lost money. With the trend in materials prices upwards, it makes sense to tackle waste issues urgently.

For further details click here or contact Helen Dunn on 020 7915 8320 or Helen.Dunn@visioninprint.co.uk

If you are, then you need to be at the first European Young Leaders in Print conference, to be held from 7- 8 November 2008 in Barcelona, Spain.  

Intergraf and the Spanish print employers’ federation FEIGRAF invite you to join them at this event, which offers a unique opportunity for young printers to meet with colleagues from all over Europe, and discuss current trends and issues in the industry.

Do you know the exact costs of your business? Most printers use cost rates, but many don’t know how to calculate them accurately.  

Expert help is available from BPIF Business.   The Cost Rate Review is designed specifically to meet your company’s needs and can include the full range of systems and advice to staff across all areas.

If you would like more information on a Cost Rate Review, click here or contact Ryan O'Neal on 020 7915 8322 or Ryan.O'Neal@bpif.org.uk