Printing Outlook is the BPIF's quarterly printing industry trends survey, compiled primarily from an online survey of BPIF members. It covers topics such as: your top business concerns, orders, output, price levels, capacity, costs, margins, investment, pay reviews, productivity, late payment and payment terms, public sector procurement, Web-to-print and paper & board prices and supply.
We are very pleased to continue our partnership with Canon, we'd like to thank Canon for their support - this will ensure all survey respondents receive a printed copy of Printing Outlook.
As well as reporting on the BPIF's latest quarterly survey of trends in the printing industry, Printing Outlook now incorporates:
- UK headline economic data
- CBI forecasts and assessment
- Paper and board consumption statistics from the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) and sector insight from EMGE (paper industry consultants)
- Printing Ink sales volumes and values from the British Coatings Federation (BCF)
- Energy sector commentary from Schneider Electric
- The latest print and printed packaging Red Flag Statistics and Financial Health statistics compiled especially for the BPIF by Red Flag Alert
- Insolvency statistics for the printing sector
- Advertising sector data and analysis from the Advertising Association / Warc Expenditure Report and the IPA Bellwether Report
Printing Outlook is widely reported in the trade press, and feeds into the Bank of England and their provision of data to the Monetary Policy Committee. It is required reading for many suppliers to and investors in the industry, and is used by the BPIF to help represent the interests of our industry to other trade associations, the CBI, Government and the European and worldwide printing industries.
BPIF members can download the full report below; Printing Outlook press releases are available here.
SLIGHT RECOVERY IN OUTPUT AND ORDERS FALLS SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS IN Q4 - CONFIDENCE CONCERNS MOUNT IN 2024
Performance in the UK's printing and printed packaging industry did improve in Q4, as far as output and orders are concerned. However, it didn't come close to what would historically be considered the seasonal norm, nor quite match the subdued expectations for Q4. Output was expected to return to growth in Q4, and that did indeed happen - on balance. Unfortunately, a few more companies than expected experienced a downturn, and that limited overall growth.
Previously, a fragile economy, lingering concerns over inflation levels, for both consumers and businesses, and the possibility of further interest rate increases; were restricting growth. These concerns have now diminished, inflation is expected to hit its 2% some time in Q2, market expectations are that interest rates will fall to 3.25% at the end of next year, and UK economic growth is expected to pick-up - albeit very gradually. However, caution over costs remain and, with rising tensions in the Middle East, and forthcoming elections in the US and UK, the geopolitical situation remains uncertain.
Printers continue to concentrate on controlling costs, increasing productivity, and be largely cautious regarding investment. Some cost pressures have eased, and whilst energy is expected to ease further, there is mounting concern over future paper and board prices, and labour costs - which will come under additional stress when national minimum wage increases add pressure to maintain wage differentials in the workforce.
However, capacity utilisation has improved in each for the last two quarters, some significant cost pressures have levelled out, a majority of companies seem to be in a decent financial position with positive investment intentions - and a particular focus on innovation, efficiency and sustainability related improvements.
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