What trend (business or technology) do you think 2015 will be remembered for?
Without a doubt 2015 will be known as the year that technology started to gain traction, leading to higher than ever print quality, an increasing capacity for personalisation, shorter lead times and greater insight for clients.
The printing plant of 2015 and beyond is beginning to look significantly different to that of previous years. Enhanced quality reporting and management systems mean print operations are becoming more computerised than ever before and the development of advanced management information tools means that office-based technology has had an impact on production.
Finally of course, technology has increased the value of paper communications by making them more interactive and linking them to digital communications.
What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in 2016 and why?
The growth of digital media as a communication channel is a threat to the print industry as a whole, but also an opportunity for printers to be able to diversify to take advantage of it. In 2016 we’ll continue to offer our clients capability and experience in multi-channel communications so that they can serve their increasingly digitally savvy customers. We’ll also be continuing to offer expertise in workflow solutions and services that connect digital and print for our clients and their customers.
What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in 2016 and why?
There is no doubt that the growth of digital media, including the internet, is the single most important threat to the printing industry – and this will continue to be the case in 2016. The growth of digital media as a transactional and marketing channel means that many commercial printers are finding the pace of technological change too onerous. They’ll need to adapt very quickly to changes in the ways that people obtain content if they’re going to survive and thrive in the years to come.
What’s the one thing that the industry should do more of, or do better, in 2016?
We should be investing in our staff and in recruiting a new generation of employees who are able to get to grips with the technology needed to run the business of the future. At Opus Trust Marketing we will be continuing to work hard on our training programme in 2016 and recruit to attract the best in the industry.
What was your highlight of 2015?
Breaking through the £20m turnover threshold. Our half year results also show continued growth.
If you’re thinking of going to Drupa next year, what are you keen to see?
We believe that attendance of these shows are key to successful innovation, we are keen to understand any new technologies that can further enhance our wide range of services.
