The BPIF’s quarterly Printing Outlook survey of its members views showed that the general state of trade remained positive throughout the first quarter of this year.
The survey, of around 80 printers, showed rising demand for printed products, leading to higher rates of production. More than half of those printers surveyed claimed to have boosted output in the three-month period for the second consecutive quarter. However, there were still some firms that have not benefited from an improving market with close to a fifth of survey respondents stating that output was lower than in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The main concern for most printers was that competitors would price below cost. But other concerns were the risk of major customers failing and of cashflow problems caused by late payment of customers, with 41 percent of printers saying that this last is increasing.
The survey also found that staffing levels have remained static despite increased production, that most costs are under control apart from energy charges and that future investment levels will be lower than last year.
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