Graham Smith, marketing manager, MBA Group
Last year saw the celebration of Darwin’s centenary, and I believe our industry should celebrate its ability to evolve. The strongest printers have embraced new technology in print, but also realised they need to provide multi-channel services to support their printed matter. The development of the internet has affected print more than any other sector, none more so than newspapers, but even here we see the development of variable content publications using new laser print technology. The value of print is undeniable, it helps build long-term relationships with customers that electronic media struggles to match.

Peter Morris, managing director, Friedheim International
The bringing to market of high-speed roll-fed digital and the realisation of automatic folding machines were both big developments, but the single biggest impact was the development of automated delivery systems for folders and saddle stitchers by Palamides. It has meant one person can handle a machine, when before you had two guys on the end and one feeding it. Going forward, the step-by-step realisation that finishing is important will be seen as a huge development. Now is a time when printers are realising that print is a commodity – finishing is where you make your money.

George Clarke,managing director, Heidelberg UK
Look how print has changed to meet the challenges of the past decade. The rise of the internet, the adoption of CTP wholesale, implementation of digital print, the rise of print management and ever shortening run lengths. Also, massive reductions in prices that can only be met by innovation, investment and the radical overhaul of cost structures. And all this while customers demand quality like never before, hence the adoption of colour standards.  We have seen the transformation of print from a craft-based business to a modern industry with a wide variety of innovative business models. Print can be proud of its adaptability.

Ralph Bell, divisional general manager, CPI
I think two achievements stand out over the past decade, although the first is not directly related to print: the creation of the ‘biggest deficit in the country’s history’. Not a mean feat considering we were never going to go ‘boom and bust’ again. The second biggest achievement in my opinion would be the continued adoption and investment in new technology by forward-thinking print companies, which has been coupled with the response from equipment manufacturers to the ever-changing market opportunities created by these printing companies. Together the two have produced results that are truly outstanding.