What do you think will be the greatest opportunity for and threat to the print industry next year?
A printer changing into a 'marketing service provider' type of company is the greatest opportunity for printers. This approach will help print to thrive in 2012. Those who ignore the changes in the industry and don't adapt will not survive – so prints biggest threat is ourselves!
What do you believe is the most under-recognised aspect in printing that is likely to gain more prominence in 2012?
Finishing, of course; digital finishing in particular.
What do you hope to get out of Drupa 2012?
Sales. Duplo is launching a raft of new products focused on fully automated production, which should help!
What new technology do you expect to see at Drupa 2012 in your sector?
Very intelligent PC-controlled booklet-making and saddle-stitching machines – the from entry level up to the high end, these production devices finish both digital and offset print.
What new technology do you expect to see at Drupa 2012 in other sectors?
A B2 digital press is rumoured to be surfacing again
What do you think the main trends will be at Drupa 2012 in your sector?
The deskilling of the basic bindery functions, as automation takes over and enables the digital press operator to also finish the documents, leaving the bindery to add real value on complex finishing tasks
What trends do you think will emerge at Drupa 2012 in any other sectors?
Low initial investment web-to-print solutions from vendors like VPRESS will enable printers to get into this space.
What can the industry do to increase its profile next year?
Get behind three things to increase print's profile: Firstly, print IT, which will attract youth to our industry; secondly, Two Sides, which will fight the misconceptions about paper & print; and thirdly, Print Power, to excite creative and marketers.
What will you do differently next year?
I'll try to utilise social media in a more structured way to better communicate wiyh our customers, and run to the new office in Weybridge at least twice a week, as I live only 3 miles away.
