Opinion
BPIF skills fund is first step towards a brighter future
It's difficult to see a downside to the news that the BPIF has won over 1m to offer free management training to the print industry.
Things have started to get better and not before time
The Holt review into access to and delivery of apprenticeships in the UK aims to identify the issues that are discouraging businesses - particularly SMEs - from recruiting new blood in this way.
Claims should be judged on their specific circumstances
On 29 June, the FSA published its agreement with the banks on compensation to be paid for mis-sold swap products. Many have assumed that all interest rate swap products marketed by banks will lead to...
Confused energy strategy is hobbling UK manufacturing
The recently published BIS report on future electricity costs for energy intensive industries (EIIs) only reinforces the view that many have held for some time - that current costs are higher here...
DM sector demands more transparency in mail surcharges
Royal Mail has gone some way to addressing the direct mail industry's concerns over reversion charges, but fears about implementation remain
Royal Mail is playing a straight bat, but there's much to do
The passion surrounding reversions is hardly surprising, given that there are millions of pounds in lost revenue at stake - a huge figure for mailing houses whose profits are built on slim margins.
Industry calls for clarity over HSE's 'inflexible' FFI scheme
SMEs up and down the country are furious over proposals to levy an hourly fee for investigating H&S breaches at the discretion of HSE inspectors
It's only fair that those who break the rules foot the bill
It is recognised that good health and safety is good business, but some firms may seek to gain a short-term competitive advantage by cutting corners and putting workers and the public at risk.
Olympics: a double-edged sword for the print sector
With just seven days to go until the Olympics, the headlines have rightly focussed on the unmitigated disaster that is G4S's failure to fulfil its 284m contract to provide security for the London 2012...
The packaging proposals are dangerous and unprecedented
In addition to being heavy handed and without giving due consideration to previous regulation introduced into the sector, this legislation would give the UK a reputation as a bad place to do business,...
PrintIT!'s tangible feel-good factor is great for our sector
Coming at a time when too much of the industry is still in the doldrums, last week's PrintIT! Awards offered welcome respite from the depressive fug.
This Drupa found its identity in the variety of technology
I have never seen so many printing technologies in one place at the same time as at Drupa 2012. We had offset, gravure, and digital to name but a few. While this level of choice is a good thing, it...
Print frameworks promise much, but do they deliver?
The so-called Wider Public Sector Print Services Framework Agreement is the latest in a long line of public sector print contracts to follow the trend towards appointing print managers rather than...
We've listened to clients to ensure we improve services
Royal Mail is working very hard to improve its efficiency to ensure we provide the service levels that our customers expect at the right prices. We face a number of challenges, including declining...
Ipex's woes reflect the state of the global print industry
Inkjet Ipex, Nano Ipex or Excel Ipex? The show may still be two years away but so many column inches have been devoted to it already that we may as well start trying to come up with a suitable...