19 May 2015

Output and orders exhibit growth in Q1 - optimism for Q2 is tempered by some uncertainties

The year kicked-off almost precisely as expected in terms of output; and significantly better with regard to the number of orders. One-third of printers increased output in Q1, marginally more than had expected to, according to the latest Printing Outlook survey. Two-fifths were able to hold output steady whilst 26% reported a decline in output – again, slightly more than had expected to. The overall Q1 improvement (the balance between ups and downs) was 7; well below the Q4 seasonal high of 27, but just less than the 8 that had been forecast for the quarter. The positive run for output has now extended to two years.

Also in Printing Outlook this quarter:

• Pay Reviews – what have companies done and what do they expect to do?
• Web to Print - just how much of printing companies turnover is currently derived through Web to Print?
• How do respondents view the current position of their business?
• Consumables – paper consumption data and printing ink volumes and values.
• A more in-depth look at energy costs.