He said a cooperation agree­ment between the BPIF and Printing Industries of Amer­ica (PIA) was likely to be signed next month, but had been two years in the making.

The agreement is due to be signed at a conference for the European print industry in June, according to Johnson.

He added that, given the rate of consolidation in the sector, “having an international perspective is vital”.
He said: “I have spoken before about my belief that we should have a world print conference on a four-year basis.”

The news follows PIA’s announcement last week that it had signed an agreement with the Printing Industries Association of Australia, which will give members access to information from PIA and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation.

Johnson said the move will not mirror that of union Unite, formerly Amicus, which is in merger talks with its US counterparts.