Top 5 most-read stories
1. Stealing the top slot right at the last minute this month was the breaking news that TPF had lost its £20m-a-year contract with Sky following the broadcaster's decision to set up its own in-house print management team. This story sparked off a very interesting debate in the printweek.com forum about print buyers and print managers that is still raging as we speak. Just visit the printweek.com community section to join in!
2. As in April when we broke the news of Butler & Tanner (B&T) going into administration, July has been a month that has brought yet more twists in the book printer's troubled story. However, it has been good news that has taken the limelight this time, with the second most popular story of the month being the surprise that was B&T set to re-open following the offer of a lifeline from publishing entrepreneur Felix Dennis. The news that the re-named BT&D was geared for an August relaunch also took our fourth most-read slot.
3. Also making the headlines frequently this month was the follow-up to the sad tale of Capital going into administration. The news that the London Development Agency (LDA) was investigating Capital was the third most-read story on printweek.com. However, three other Capital stories made it into the top 10 – the fact that rivals had spurned the chance to buy Capital; the LDA denying Capital's claims over late payment; and the company selling off its equipment.
4. July brought news that press giant Heidelberg was suffering in the tough economic climate and had announced it was to axe 500 jobs across Europe.
5. Lastly, the fifth most-read story was the dispute between Kall Kwik UK with the Independent Kall Kwik Franchise Owners Association (IKKFOA) which led to a vote of no confidence in its management.
Comments
The printweek.com community forums have become a hotbed of debate and discussion of late, inspired by stories such as those concerning the potential recession facing the UK, the latest installations, and the sad news that several print companies have gone under. There were dozens of stories which got you all talking, and here are some of the comments which we felt summed up this month's news:
"Ah what a debate! The Print Buyer vs Print Manager. Why is there always such a debate about the difference between these two great pillars in the print community and weighing up the pros and cons for each? What it actually boils down to is the skill set and performance of the individuals carrying out that function. It doesn't really matter if the person(s) responsible for buying and managing the print, works for the end customer, or an outsourced company – does it?"
Lee Deacon also on TPF losing its £20m-a-year deal with Sky
"The UK print industry as well as the booktrade owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Felix Dennis; well done to Kevin Sarney who never lost faith in completing what must have, only a few weeks ago, seemed a near impossible task.
A fresh start assisted by many old hands; what's recently passed is best remaining in the past – concentrate now on beating the foreign printers and assuring long-term employment for Frome."
Clive Keeble on the breaking news that B&Twas set to re-open in 10 days with the help of Felix Dennis
"I think there are going to be a large number of high-profile print business failures over the coming year. Red tape is costing more and more but customers want to buy print for less and less. The government and the unions have to take a lot of the blame for these failures as when things get tough they offer business owners / managers NO support at all and the unions see financial weakness as a crack in the armour and try and capitalise on it by increasing demands and making veiled threats that they know will finish a company off if they are ignored. Print Company Bosses across the UK are between a rock and a hard place. Generally they do not want to lose their businesses, income and often their homes any more than employees do. At least when a company ceases to trade an employees liability is limited to unpaid wages. A Print Company Boss' liability can run into millions of pounds."
PrintCoBoss on the news that staff at Capital had been told to leave the site
"The last time I checked the average number of employees per company responding was in the region of 50, however it is my understanding there are in the region of 13,000 printers in the UK with over 95% of companies employing fewer than 12 people. From a manufacturing perspective print has in my view been in recession for over 15 years The benefits of new technology has allowed us to become so much more efficient, yet margins are diminishing year on year. This leads me to believe efficiency is not the issue at all; price is the issue as that determines the profitability. The issue is supply and demand, and the food chain for the procurement of print. It's a buyers market swamped by middlemen, basically due to a diminishing market, more efficient machinery we are all fighting for a diminishing piece of the cake."
John Grogan on the BCC saying a UK recession was 'now a serious risk'
