6 October 2004

Print & Publishing Sectors in the City

Response to PrintWeek concerning the report: Understanding the Print & Publishing Sectors in the City Fringe’, September 2004. By Chris Patefield, BPIF South East Regional Director To conclude (as the Guardian 04/10/2004 does) that the UK printing industry is in terminal decline on the basis of its performance in the City Fringe of London does require quite a considerable leap of logic particularly for those familiar with the industry. The industry has changed almost beyond recognition in the last 25 years, let alone since the days of Caxton! The rapid and effective application of technology has pushed the boundaries of productivity and price so that we can now produce more volume, in higher quality more cheaply and with less people. To use the parameters of turnover, population and number of companies to conclude that it is an industry in ‘terminal decline’ is akin to comparing the blacksmith trade to the multi-million pound global tyre industry. However this is not to challenge the basic facts and powerful recommendations of this report. The ability of print companies to thrive, throughout the UK and not just on the City Fringe, will depend on their ability to innovate and adapt their business models. Technology is re-shaping customer needs at the same time as it affects print processes and the BPIF is working with Regional Development Agencies across the country, as well as the London Development Agency to help companies address these challenges. Of course we must appreciate that printers in the City Fringe face additional challenges as a direct result of higher property and staff costs and congestion. We need to work the City Fringe Partnership and the LDA to assist printers in the area to offset these constraints by maximising the benefits of proximity to the many significant customers who are based in the locality. The recommendations of the report are extremely valid and the BPIF is already addressing a number of areas, nationally and locally to address the issues. In particular improving production processes (through Vision in Print) and assistance with strategic reviews (through BPIF Business and the ViP Print Specific Module of the Benchmark Index). In addition to the considerable work that the BPIF is undertaking nationally to increase the uptake of Modern Apprenticeships and Upskilling programmes, within the next month the BPIF is also meeting with the LDA to specifically promote print as a career for young people as well as ensuring that high quality vocational training is accessible to all within the London area. The Report’s final recommendation for printing is extremely pertinent and as yet, relatively unexplored. This is the recommendation that networking between the sector and its customers be improved. This is a key tenet of the soon to be launched Print Yorkshire project and is undoubtedly a model which could be expanded on in other regions. We hope to work more closely with the LDA, our members and the very considerable London print-buying community to take this recommendation forward in the medium term. The BPIF has contributed to this report through our work with the City Fringe partnership and is currently working with the LDA through the London Production Industries Commission (LPIC) to identify the needs of the sector in London and how these can be met. The LDA had already agreed to accept a proposal from the BPIF to support the industry in London and the BPIF will be using the recommendations of this report to prepare a proposal in the near future. The BPIF is assisted in this work by Des Brennan and Louisa Moger of London-based member companies Copyprint Ltd and Richard Edward. Downloads