Business Management – Market Research

RESTON, VA—August 15, 2008—The Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) announces the recent launch of a number of research studies for the coming 12 months. Trends in Books – PrintCom Consulting Group (Waxhaw, NC) was commissioned to complete research that will document technological and societal changes impacting the book publishing industry in North America. The research will cover all major segments of the book publishing industry, including trade books (adult, juvenile, mass market paperback, book clubs, mail order and religious); educational (elem-high textbooks, college textbooks and university press); and reference (professional books and subscription reference). It will also investigate personal

An detailed analysis of the In-plant Industry in 2008.

EARLY THIS year, In-Plant Graphics completed a major survey of the in-plant market. We asked in-plant managers about the equipment they use, their purchasing plans, how much digital and four-color printing they do, their insourcing activities and much more. We have compiled the results of this survey into a Market Data Report, which will give you an idea of the state of the in-plant industry. To download it, click the link in the “Related Items” column to the right. —Bob Neubauer

PITTSBURGH—Feb. 25, 2008—PIA/GATFPress is pleased to offer the latest Economics and Market Research Reports—Looking Forward: What’s Next for the Economy and Print Markets in 2008–2009 and Expanding the Print Market Space: Printers’ Diversification into Ancillary Services by Ronnie H. Davis, Ph.D. and Ed Gleeson—to help printers as they face an uncertain economic future. As fears of a recession in the United States loom larger and larger, it is becoming increasingly important for print and graphic communications firms to know what to expect and how best to protect their bottom lines in the coming months. “The Looking Forward report provides a comprehensive analysis

NEW YORK—January 22, 2008—In the face of otherwise daunting marketplace challenges—including a substantial postage rate increase, higher raw materials costs and heightened competition from low-cost interactive media—U.S. direct mail spending continued to grow in 2007, climbing 5 percent from 2006 to total $58.4 billion in aggregate investment, according to a white paper released today by Winterberry Group, a leading strategic consulting firm serving the marketing industry. The white paper, entitled Vertical Market Trends in Direct Mail 2008, is the New York-based consulting firm’s fourth annual study of the direct mail sector, inclusive of both mailers and the production service providers who support their campaigns.

IPG's 2007 ranking of the largest In-plants.

Which in-plants are the largest in North America? We get asked this question dozens of times a year. To find out, we surveyed our readership. Most of the largest in-plants replied, allowing us to create two lists: The largest in-plants according to the number of full-time-equivalent employees (half of the part-time/temporary employees were added to the full-time figure). The largest in-plants according to sales. (If a sales figure was not provided, the annual budget was used.)

A recent study of the small commercial and quick printer segment by PRIMIR (Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization) reveals some interesting trends that could impact in-plants. Like in our industry, these print-for-pay providers are losing business due to the increased prevalence of copiers and desktop printers in their customers’ offices. They are trying to broaden their offerings as a result to capture more complex types of work. With much of their “walk-in” business drying up, they are focusing on sales-driven corporate work and boosting their sales forces. This means your customers will be receiving more sales calls. So it’s more

A recent survey completed by International Communications Research (ICR) revealed that even in today’s digital world, consumers prefer mail over other communications vehicles (such as e-mail) for receiving new product information and offerings as well as confidential business communications (bank statements, financial reports, etc.) The study, commissioned by Pitney Bowes, found that the majority of consumers (73 percent) prefer mail for receiving new product announcements or offers from companies they do business with, as compared to 18 percent for e-mail. Mail was also preferred by 70 percent of respondents for receiving unsolicited information on products and services from companies with which they are not currently

A new In-Plant Graphics survey reveals a rise in in-plant managers’ salaries in almost every industry. The three industries that pay their in-plant managers the most are also the ones boasting the biggest salary jumps over 2005: • Banking/Finance (up $24,628) • Transportation (up $17,725) • Utilities (up $16,582) Average salaries for in-plant managers in communications/publishing firms also rose an impressive $11,448. Also notable: salaries for college/university managers climbed $7,862 since 2005, closely followed by government in-plant salaries, which increased by $7,358. Dropping substantially were salaries for managers at architectural, construction and engineering firms. Their checks shrank by $12,000. The only other sector to suffer a salary decrease