Visit to Printex 15, held at Sydney (Australia) was supported by the Government of India, Ministry of MSME under I/C scheme.
Organised by the Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) and Graphic Arts Merchants Association of Australia (GAMAA), PRINTEX is the biggest print exhibition in Australia. On the other hand Australia is one of the largest importers of printed boxes and books. It is noted that the market for print is open in Australia and the Indian printer has the opportunity for the outsourced printing and packaging work from Australia.
The printing industry is the fourth largest manufacturing industry in Australia and the third largest manufacturing industry and employer worldwide. One of the key factors driving competition is the number of competitors and the size of the industry. In Australia, printing and related industries (excluding pulp and paper manufacturing) are comprised of approximately 3,800 firms, employing more than 104,000 people.
The printing industry within Queensland is very developed and competitive. It is predominantly populated by small to medium sized firms with only a few large operators. Consistent with the Australian market, the Queensland printing industry comprises firms that provide a complete in-house production service incorporating printing and binding functions, whilst other firms may specialise in certain types of printing and contract out other work including the binding function to specialist organisations.
The printing industry has undergone significant change with advancements in technology and the integration of printing equipment, graphic arts technical skills and revolutionised production processes. Technological innovation has virtually reinvented the printing industry. The pace of innovation is the biggest challenge facing the printing industry. Companies must continually reinvest in new computer-based hardware and software as last year’s technology becomes obsolete. They also identified that several craft-based skills and equipment have been rendered obsolete. New processes and new equipment are being introduced continually requiring continuous training and retraining of highly qualified people.
The Printing industry has been hit hard over the past five years, as consumers have increasingly received information via online platforms rather than via printed materials. This trend has led to a decline in demand for the services of professional printers. Online media continues to encroach into the domain of book, newspaper, magazine and directory publishers. As digital technology has progressed, the printed word has proven slow to produce and costly to distribute. Consumers and businesses have increasingly traded and conducted business online without using printed materials. As a result, industry revenue is estimated to fall at a compound annual rate of 5.2% over the five years through 2014-15. Revenue is forecast to drop by 4.6% in 2014-15 and the profit margins are decreasing. The other noteworthy fact of Australian printing industry is the printing industry is transitioning to print management by providing a holistic document lifecycle service. Print managers are undertaking this role for customers, enabling customers to focus on core business. In undertaking this role print managers are finding process, equipment and material savings for customers.
Some facts and figures of the Australian printing and packaging industry are -traditional print products are being complemented by digital products, often CD/DVD and Internet based, creating new markets and changing traditional print business models. Shorter print runs, document customisation, data and knowledge management and faster print turnaround are features of this emerging industry. The industry which is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in Australia has also strong service features making it a hybrid industry. It is in many ways a truly national industry with a physical presence in every region and electorate of Australia.
Official employment data tends to underestimate the size of the industry as thousands of people are employed in printing and associated activities outside the traditional segments of the industry. The 2006 Census for instance showed that more than 27,000 were employed in printing specific occupations outside traditional printing industry classifications. Small to medium businesses dominate the industry with more than 85.0 per cent employing less than 20 people; and only 4 per cent employing more than 100 people.
Printex 15 (13 – 15 May, 2015)
PrintEx15 has surpassed expectations and succeeded in its two most important aims – to provide a showcase of the very latest innovations in the print and graphic communications industry and a successful environment in which to conduct business. Importantly, it also lived up to its aim to provide the ideas, information and resources required at a pivotal time for the industry. Organisers report that pre-audited attendance numbers show that PrintEx and the co-located Visual Impact exhibition attracted over 6000 visits from industry professionals at its new home at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.
Around 67% of PrintEx15 visitors came from New South Wales, 12% from Victoria, 7% from Queensland, 2% from WA and another 5% from other States. A further 7% came from overseas destinations including a strong contingent from ‘across the ditch’ in New Zealand, making up 4% of total visitors. Just on half those who attended were business owners or top level managers and the intensive discussions held on stands across the three-day event proved that they were there to conduct genuine business.
Visitors, too, have been delighted with the value offered at the show, providing very positive feedback not only on the quality displays, range of products and enthusiasm of the 100-plus suppliers on display, but also of the ideas and inspiration which have been provided during their visit. They were also very appreciative of the associated activities, particularly the comprehensive PrintEx Forums program, which concluded today with sessions looking at meeting the industry’s future challenges, energy efficient supply, and building capital through social investment, as well as several presentations from vendors providing information about specific systems and technologies.
As well as gathering all the latest and most innovative technology under one roof, PrintEx15 also provided the opportunity to meet with suppliers and peers and we have seen this borne out not only on the exhibition floor, but also at a host of functions which have extended the Printex ‘experience’ and provided a welcome chance to catch up with colleagues and friends from around the industry.