Team Impression MD hits out at 'unjustified' pricing in litho market

Team Impression managing director Peter Crowson has condemned what he claims are "nonsensical" pricing policies being adopted by printers local to his Leeds-based office.

He alleged several printers had employed "totally unjustified" and "seriously silly" pricing strategies in the sheetfed litho market, forcing his company to turn down jobs.

As an example, Crowson told PrintWeek of a £4,673 quote for a 300,000 print run for a local client. He said the purchasing alone of the 130gsm laser compatible silk paper, plus the ink and cartons for the job, would cost in the region of £4,000.

He said: "This leaves £673 to print 37,500 B1 sheets in five colours plus spot sealer both sides, including a full plate change on the run and delivery to London."

"We are trying to run a commercial enterprise properly, looking after our clients and giving value to our customers.

"I don't mind competition but other print companies are literally taking prices we are offering and cutting them in half with no business sense. It is daft, my kids could do that," he added.

Crowson said he has been forced to lay off 11 members of staff temporarily as a result of clients being drawn to the cheaper prices. He added that he and his company were putting all their efforts into bringing these staff back into the company.

His comments will ring true across the sector, which currently is plagued by low margin pricing and moratoriums on kit purchases, enabling loss-making prices to be offered by rival companies.