The paper and board industry "lags way behind the majority of the manufacturing industry in its adoption of e-commerce", with only 17% of companies developing e-commerce strategies and plans.

The statement was just one of the findings of a DTI-sponsored report into the impact of e-commerce which was unveiled at the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) Conference on Competitiveness.

PricewaterhouseCoopers director Mark Ambler, who carried out the study for the DTI, said many of the 50 paper and board sector companies interviewed were hindered by the investment needed to adopt e-commerce technology and the lack of existing skills.

Alan McKendrick (pictured), CPI president and chief executive of Aylesford Newsprint, emphasised the need for the industry to pull together.

"We are part of an industry that is still growing, with some 350,000 employees, and contributing 3.5% of GDP," he said.

DTI permanent secretary Robin Young announced a revamp of the way the DTI plans to operate, with the need for staff to better understand and guide businesses through the minefield of funding and governmental departments.

Young said the DTI would use the CPIs Competitiveness Study report as a benchmark for all other industries.

The DTI is also working on another joint evaluation project, with the CPI and Pira, which will look at the corrugated paper and board supply chain.

Story by Andy Scott