26 February 2021
Confidence eroded as Q4 output curtailed
A further downturn is now underway in Q1 but vaccine roll-out provides hope.
The recovery in the UK printing and printed packaging industry suffered a setback in Q4 and is now expected to see a decline on the volume of orders and output in Q1. The Covid-19 outbreak hit at the end of Q1, Q2 bore the brunt of the impact and whilst Q3 exhibited a recovery, of sorts, Q4 experienced a halt on that recovery path. Unfortunately forecasts for Q1 suggests that the Covid-19 resurgence and resulting mix of lockdown measures and post-Brexit disruption will be a drag on recovery for many businesses.
The latest Printing Outlook survey reveals that 29% of printers managed to increase their output levels in the final quarter of 2020. One-third (33%) were able to hold output steady, whilst 38% were adversely affected by a decline in output. The resulting balance (the difference between the ups and the downs) was -9, only just below the -8 reported in Q3 and just much in-line with the Q4 forecast (-7).
DownloadsIntergraf Economic News (Paper Prices) - August 2024
22 August 2024
Access the latest edition of the Economic Newsletter for the European Printing Industry for data on paper consumption, and pricing data for pulp, paper, and recovered paper.
Help shape the future of printing with Keypoint Intelligence
3 September 2024
Help shape the future of printing by joining Keypoint Intelligence’s Production Workflow Software and Automation survey. The BPIF is helping to drive participation in this new research - and you'll receive an Amazon gift voucher for your trouble.