The study focused on two sectors: magazine and catalogues, and books, and was carried out by Strategem and Pira International.

The emerging competition from low wage economies in Eastern Europe and Turkey was of concern for both sectors, as was the low level of training in the UK an average of just two days per employee in magazines and catalogues, and three days in books.

Pira International managing director Mike Hancock said that three tiers of performance had emerged among magazine and catalogue printers: "Those in the third tier require immediate and radical action if they are to remain viable," he stated.

In books, press productivity was slightly higher than on the continent, but finishing needed to improve, as did makeready and waste levels. "There is a mindset that book production is still a batch process, and we need to change this".

A qualitative analysis of management practice found that in magazine and catalogues UK managers needed to spend more time on policy and strategy, and do more to pro-actively seek customers' views and needs as part of strategic planning.

Book printers could also be more active in assessing client needs.

"Strategy and development needs a higher priority. We are all guilty of falling into the trap that we think we know what clients require," Hancock added.

Nineteen UK printers took part in the study, which involved a detailed questionnaire.

"The best of the UK is comparable to the best in mainland Europe, but a lot can be done to improve competitiveness," he added.

The full report and an executive summary can be downloaded from Vision in Print's website, www.visioninprint.co.uk.