10.01.09
NPES Sponsors Print Outlook Conference
The Association for Suppliers of Printing , Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES) recently hosted its 20th annual Print Outlook conference in Washington, D.C. The conference, which was held December 4-5, brought together economists, political observers and other industry experts to explore the theme, “Balancing the Challenges and Opportunities of Changing Times.”
Among those speaking at the conference was Frank Romano, chairman of the School of Printing Management and Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology, who concluded that the printing industry will continue to grow at 1-2 percent over the next 20 years. He stated that at this rate of growth will result in major changes in industry structure, including the reduction of the number of printing companies by at least half, and the creation of more larger companies.
Also in attendance was NPES consulting economist Michael K. Evans, who said that several factors will return the economy to strong growth in the second half of 2001. Among these factors were a reduction in interest rates, a decrease in oil prices and a return of parity between the U.S. dollar and the euro.
Andrew D. Paparozzi, chief economist and director of the printing economic research center at the National Association for Printing leadership (NAPL) predicted that commercial printing sales will rise 5.5 to 6 percent in 2001. However, he added that a majority of members of NAPL’s Printing Business Panel are reporting a decline in profits. According to Mr. Paparozzi, printers are responding by diversifying, adding new services and pursuing opportunities in emerging markets.
Complete proceeding of Print Outlook are available in print and interactive CD-ROM. For more information, contact the NPES Publication Department at (703) 264-7200; or E-mail publications@npes.org.
Plastic Resin Production Gains
Production of a variety of plastic resins showed gains in January 2000 from January 1999, with polypropylene and linear low density polyethylene leading the way.
According to the American Plastics Council, polypropylene production rose 4.5 percent, while linear LDPE production increased by 2.7 percent in January 2000. High density polyethylene resins increased 2.1 percent over a year ago.
Low density polyethylene showed a decrease, declining 0.2 percent from January 2000 to January 1999.