The biggest research project ever undertaken for the Australian printing industry began last month, with the Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) commissioning consulting firm Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte) to undertake the project, with sponsorship from Swanbank Paper. The study will examine the paper and printing industry by sector, by major product category, and by process. Gary Donnison, PIAA CEO, says the study is the first to profile the entire paper and printing industry value chain. The Print21 Action Agenda had identified the need for such a comprehensive industry study as a major industry priority.

“It will examine products produced, print processes, emerging trends and major industry issues as well as making projections for the future. This project will provide the information necessary for companies to make critical business development decisions. The findings will act as a key sustainability driver for the industry,” says Donnison.

“The information will provide new market intelligence for the industry and be a very important tool for Printing Industries to fulfill its lobbying and industry development objectives.”

Joe Foster, Swanbank Paper CEO, says Swanbank Paper was pleased to sponsor the industry study of paper and printing in Australia.

“The industry has long needed a comprehensive survey and we are confident that this study will be valuable to industry participants and other interested parties,” Foster says.

The study will examine industry growth for the past five years and projected for the next five focussing on turnover, gross product, employment and numbers of establishments.

It will look at import and export trends, the impact of digital and electronic media and the Internet and current and future environmental pressures. The paper supply chain will be analysed and future trends identified. Technology impacts on the industry will be assessed for industry sectors and projections made on anticipated impacts.

Current and future profit and capital expenditure trends will also be examined. Trends in paper consumption by types of paper, grade, and grammage and production process will be surveyed as well as ink consumption.

The research project is expected to take about two to three months to complete. Researchers will be contacting companies immediately to schedule face-to-face interviews beginning in early November. The research findings are scheduled to be released early in 2005.