Briefing

Is the decline in skilled print workers a cause for concern?
On the face of it, statistics released recently that revealed the number of skilled tradespeople working in the print sector fell by 73% between 2006 and 2021 seem alarming.

Offset Solutions focuses on value
The Offset Solutions Value Conference in November discussed innovations in plate development and related software and set out how the company will operate when it separates from Agfa.

Paper landscape taking new shape
Do you know of Aurelius? This is not a quotation from the film Gladiator, it’s a reference to Aurelius Group, the huge investment business that owns a diverse range of businesses from comfy shoes...

Investing in mental health makes good business sense
‘Once in a lifetime’ events have almost become day-to-day occurrences of late, with the pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and resulting effects including rising inflation, interest rate hikes,...

Perfect storm of factors create ideal conditions for M&A deals
Barely a day has gone by in recent months without reports emerging of yet another industry acquisition or merger.

The paper market and energy crisis
Raw material and energy price hikes have left parts of the European paper industry in a fragile state, exacerbating recent mill closures, and are likely to have far-reaching consequences for printers.

Fespa Berlin brings reality and normality
Fespa was able to deliver its full-scale Global Print Expo for the first time since 2019 – to the delight of exhibitors and visitors.

Is the popular four-day week with no loss of salary the future of work?
Working four days a week on full pay is becoming popular in certain sectors, but the model can present challenges as well as benefits. A new trial is looking at whether it is a viable flexible option

Mail sector has learnt plenty of new tricks
The world has changed immeasurably since the start of the Covid pandemic and while it has clearly been a devastating crisis in so many ways, there have been some positives, particularly in the ways...

YM Group: what went wrong?
There are lots of odd things about the current situation at YM Group, where more than 500 people are out of work after the sudden fall into administration of its three web offset sites.

Navigating the paper supply crisis
The issues currently affecting paper supplies are well-documented. Seismic changes in European capacity involving machine closures and mill conversions over the past four years have now taken effect.

Pack sector fends off mounting challenges
No industry has been unchallenged over the past two years since Covid-19 took a stranglehold on our lives, with even the most pandemic- proof sectors at the very least needing to quickly adapt to new...

MacroArt’s change mentality is at the heart of its post-Covid recovery
Branding and signage specialist MacroArt has, it’s fair to say, been quite busy during 2021. Like many wide-format businesses, but particularly those with a big presence in the live events and...

Power of Print to highlight print's effectiveness and sustainability
The 11th annual Power of Print event, which seeks to foreground the effectiveness of physical media, is set to the be the biggest yet with getting on for 700 delegates signed up.

Go green or go home
Being sustainable is not only good business practice but increasingly a crucial requirement for many customers.