INDUSTRY / NEWS 6 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Rising sustainability demands and changing requirements FESPA has revealed the headline findings of its 2023 Print Census which highlights the impact of rising sustainability demands and evolving customer requirements on business models and investment plans. With the last Print Census conducted in 2018, this year’s study explored the longterm trends that have emerged over the past five years such as revenue and industry outlook as well as future investment and purchasing plans, and business models and strategies. The Census was conducted in partnership with InfoTrends, a division of Keypoint Intelligence, and saw 1,778 printers and sign-makers from across 120 countries take part. Since 2018, the survey reveals market outlook to be positive with 71% of respondents stating they are optimistic about the future of their business. Despite the economic challenges that have taken place across the past five years, respondents are adapting to the changing landscape and finding new opportunities for growth with 7% of respondents reporting a 7% average revenue increase since 2018. When the last Census was published, the mean annual revenue was reported as €4.4m (£3.81m), compared with a mean annual revenue of €4.7m (£4.1m) which shows a €330k (£286k) increase. Another area highlighted by the 2023 Census is the growing demand for sustainability with 72% of print buyers requesting environmentally friendly products and practices. Although perceived cost increases can be a barrier to sustainable production, 70% of respondents said that they can address sustainability demands without increasing prices, with an additional 22% saying they have already raised their prices without feeling an impact on sales. Customer demand in general is said to be shaping the industry at present with expectations such as quicker turnaround times, more personalisation and versioning options, and shorter print runs all having an impact. Also analysed in the Census were wide-format purchasing plans and with multiple responses allowed for this question, 55% of respondents want to enter new markets, 53% are focused on enhancing print quality, and 52% want to reduce the unit cost. The 2023 Census by FESPA looks at the issues affecting and the trends shaping the print and graphics industry Webmart responds to Sycamore Gap felling The famous Sycamore Gap tree, a 300-year-old tree which stood beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was callously cut down on the night of Wednesday, September 27th. In response to the act, Webmart, which offers a range of services including letterbox marketing and print services, took action to try and inspire others in the wake of the bad news. The company took immediate action by planting ten Sycamore trees at its eco-asset Grange Wood. With an office based in South Yorkshire and the company having many roots in the North of England, the felling of Sycamore Gap felt particularly impactful to employees of the company especially as the famous tree was situated between Webmart’s Yorkshire office and its eco base in Scotland. Chief executive officer at Webmart, Richard Boon, commented on LinkedIn: “After waking up to the news and reading posts of high despair from my network, family, and friends, sometimes you have got to just act. “I’m personally very proud of the ability we have to divert profits for good at Webmart, so here we are with what we can do today to provide some optimism in a time where bad news dominates the news cycle.” By planting the ten sycamore trees, the company said that it ‘tried to right a wrong’ by creating what it has dubbed “Hadrian’s Corner” which will grow over time north of the historic wall in the Grange Wood eco asset. Speaking to Print Monthly about the project, Boon says: “We are looking to create an area at our eco site which will have a dedicated sign along with wildflowers and the new trees to pay tribute to Sycamore Gap. We’ve already spoken to the forestry manager who helped us clear an area near our Lodge and the entrance.” Based in Oxfordshire, Barnsley, and London, Webmart describes itself as a sustainable marketing agency. The company achieved B Corp status in 2021 and has raised over £700,000 for charitable causes. Webmart says it has planted the trees due to its “Do Good, Be Kind” ethos By Carys Evans By David Osgar
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