Print Markets Update — Where Print’s Hot, And Not
Foods/Beverages: Foods/Beverages (+3 percent) are a mixed bag, at about one-tenth of print. Packaged Foods is boxed in at $9.8 billion in packaging, POP and promotional work. The trend toward “de-packaging” that’s happening in Europe is several months away, but will have a major negative impact.
Similarly, Beverages (less than 1 percent) are flat at $8.8 billion to print. Most segments are saturated, and new products in energy and negative-calorie drinks are not pouring well. Digital wide-format, flexo and roto plants are overbuilt for future demand. Only Food Service (+12 percent) is heating up, with new chains and menu lineups. The transfat phase-out is appetizing for small press and digital print shops; and outdoor, FSIs and signage will be full-course for heatset half-web, large-format sheetfed and wide-format digital providers.
Vincent Mallardi, C.M.C., is a the chairman of the Printing Brokerage/Buyers Association International (PBBA) and is a Certified Management Consultant in the paper, printing and converting industries. He is also an adjunct professor in economics. Contact him via email at vince@pbba.org
