June 2020
Demand and confidence decimated in Q1 as COVID-19 impact strikes the printing industry
Q2 to bear the brunt of the downturn.
The UK printing and printed packaging industry suffered a dramatic shock at the end of Q1 2020. 2019 ended with two successive quarters of marginal improvements in output, and a more positive forecast for Q1 - the COVID-19 outbreak hit hard and fast to negate the forecast and sink both output and order performance balances deep into record negative territory. Orders and output are forecast to deteriorate further in Q2, despite the stabilising effect from much of the packaging sector.
The latest Printing Outlook survey reveals that 17% of printers increased output levels in the first quarter of 2020. Slightly more respondents (23%) held output steady, whilst 60% experienced a decline in output. The resulting balance (the difference between the ups and the downs) was -43, a long way below +6 in Q4 and the Q1 forecast (+15).
The worst quarterly report for 11 years - since Q1 2009 and the immediate aftermath of the financial crisis.
DownloadsPay Review Data, Wage Benchmarking and Cost of Living – FEB 2024 UPDATE
February 2024
We have collated data from multiple sources that should be useful for BPIF members that are approaching internal pay reviews, and/or are having a closer look at their pay and benefits structure. The datafile, first published in February 2023, has been updated with the latest available data - and additional content on factors exerting pressure on pay settlements in 2024.
Slight recovery of output and orders falls short of expectations in Q4 - confidence concerns mount in 2024
February 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.