Quarterly Survey Report Reveals Industry Feeling Impact of Economic Pressures
BOSTON — November 2, 2016 — This week, Semper International, the leading placement firm for skilled talent in the printing, pre-media and marketing industries, launched its quarterly economic insight report. The current survey shows the industry is also feeling the impact of economic pressures, with company profits, sales and hiring all reporting signs of strain.
Based on this quarter’s data, the inflection point Semper reported last quarter has led into something more negative — with this report revealing survey respondents exploring ways to hedge their economic bets by reducing investments and keeping a hawk’s eye on the bottom line.
Since February 2003, Semper International has provided a quarterly survey offering estimates of trends in the printing and graphics industries. Survey participants include a cross section of large, mid-size and small commercial printers, advertising agencies and media companies; both clients and prospects of Semper International. Participants provide data on revenue and hiring as well as estimated outlooks on future trends. Data is requested from a random sample and are not screened. To preserve confidentiality, individual company information is not part of the tabulation.
“In looking for signs of optimism, I have no doubt we as an industry will continue to weather the storms,” insists Semper CEO and Report author David Regan, “Demand never happens in a straight line—it always flexes up and down based on a myriad of trends and annual cycles. In the last 14+ years that we have been conducting this survey, the one thing I can always consistently rely on is how effectively we meet challenges. Our industry has become much more productive, modern and evolving to whatever the economic climate or other realities have dictated.”
Additional insights revealed in the Semper insight report include:
- The general economy rule concerns among survey participants, with 33% reporting it is a primary threat to them right now
- Less than 50% of companies expect sales to increase through the end of 2016
- Good news: two-week sales increases almost doubled in this survey — growing to 39% of all firms
- 57% of firms are currently investing in diversification efforts
- 12% will reduce staff headcount this quarter — but nearly 60% will hire
To participate in the next survey, and get the insights a week before the public, go to Resources.SemperLLC.com or email always@semperllc.com.
About Semper International
Semper International is a temporary help placement firm founded and staffed by professionals who were raised and trained in the printing and graphic arts industry, and who understand the innate needs and demands of the profession. Semper has a thorough understanding of all the positions, equipment, and software essential to the business, which assures a perfect employee - employer match.
The Semper team constantly monitors job market trends in the industry. It understood the changes that occurred in job responsibilities when electronic prepress replaced the typesetter and mechanicals, and similarly understands the impact trends such as direct-to-plate and digital print have on staffing. Semper most recently introduced TechCreative professionals whose skills encompass both artistic, design and technical skills to output to any media.
Semper has offices in Boston (HQ), Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Wayne N.J. Direct Hire services for sales and management positions are conducted throughout the country.
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