The first three months of 2001 indicate that there are, at best, uncertain times ahead for printers, according to the BPIFs latest quarterly survey of economic trends in the printing, packaging and graphic communications industries.


And most printers do not share the chancellors view that there is economic sun on the horizon. "Overall its pretty depressing, actually," said Andy Brown, BPIF director of training and commercial products.


Tourism, usually a surefire stimulator of printing activity, has been stymied by a mixture of bad weather and the foot-and-mouth outbreak. "The outlook is very uncertain," Brown added. "The period ahead is better than the period just gone, but that one was worse than we were anticipating. General elections tend to buoy the industry and give a greater degree of optimism."


But that is not the case in 2001, he said. "Printers are battening down the hatches over costs and reducing capital expenditure."


The export market provides a rare bright spot, and printers with work in the retail trade especially tobacco, pharmaceuticals and packaged food and drink have been doing better than those in other areas.


However, 85% of respondents admitted they were working below capacity in the first quarter. And they said that, while seasonal influences will kick in, printers should not hold their breaths for a major upswing.


Competition on prices remains "severe", the BPIF report said. Amid the gloom, a positive balance for prices charged is forecast for the next three months the first time in a year this has been mooted.


Story by Adam Hill