Print Manager
Kevin Godfrey, marketing and commmunications manager, Service Point UK
"It does feel as if the recession is coming to an end. However, there are a lot of incidents of printer failures, as well as the positive stories. It's a feeling of there being light at the end of the tunnel that isn't necessarily that of an oncoming train. What may dash cold water on this is the general level of unemployment figures. In a wider sense, consumer sentiment could take another downturn if repossessions rise and housing prices are pegged back - this then spills over into the business side. However, M&A activity is picking up and they say the print industry is usually first in and first out of a recession."

Envelope printer
Suzanne Mitchelson, managing director, Tower Envelopes
Those involved in direct mail print should not expect to see a sustained recovery until the autumn at the earliest. It is mostly doom and gloom at the moment. The effects of the recession have hit the manufacturing sector later than other parts of the economy and, in my view, manufacturing will also take longer to recover. Demand remains inconsistent, and I believe that it is likely to remain so over the next couple of months. This is especially true when we take on board the added effect of fewer direct mail campaigns and reduced volumes in the summer months.

Financial printer
Terry O’Hare, managing director, Stewarts
While it may not feel like the recession is over, there has been an upturn in business levels since February. With demand having hit a low point in the last quarter of 2008, it is encouraging to hear some positive comments from economists. However, it would appear that the supply and demand equation is still out of balance. The question, perhaps, is how will this be realigned moving forward? Wouldn’t it be great to see demand increasing to meet supply? Unfortunately, as we hit the holiday season, will capacity have to shrink to match demand?

Commercial printer
Nick Faint, managing director, Redlin Print
No, not yet. Printers, like ourselves will have to continue to manage costs, manage debts and sales with a very firm hand for the foreseeable future, at least until the feel-good factor returns. We are planning for that to happen in 2011. If you follow the economic indicators, then one might be prepared to believe that there are small signs of a recovery. Our industry is a barometer of the general economy as proved by results last year. We are fortunate in that we supply a diverse range of products to a very diverse range of customers, none of our customers represent more than 8% of our turnover.