11.02.09
NAPL Printing Business Index Hits Record High
The Printing Business Index (PBI) of the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), the association’s broadest measure of print activity, reached a record high of 62.8 in October 2004, up from 59.9 in September. This marks the 16th consecutive month that the index has been above the critical 50.0–the point at which more printers report activity is picking up than report activity is slowing down.
“We must remember that the PBI, like everything else in our industry, is bouncing off very depressedlevels,” said Andrew Paparozzi, NAPL vice president and chief economist. “This reading is extremely significant, however, in that every component of the index–even those that had been lagging, such as hiring plans, prices and profitability–is now rising. This show that our recovery is finally the real thing.”
The PBI combines input from NAPL’s Printing Business Panel about work-on-hand, current business conditions, expected business conditions (confidence), hiring plans, profitability and other key indicators into a single measure of activity. The NAPL Printing Business Panel is a representative group of more than 300 printers that the association surveys monthly on a range of key printing issues. Since the same companies are surveyed every time, data are strictly comparable from period to period.
The economic analysis comes from NAPL’s Printing Economic Research Center (PERC), which produces research and publications sponsored by Heidelberg, Kennesaw, GA. For more information, contact NAPL, (201) 634-9600, (800) 642-6275; fax: (201) 634-0324; e-mail: information@napl.org; web: www.napl.org.
TWGA Now Offers Customized Research on Demand
Trend Watch Graphic Arts (TWGA) has implemented a newprogram where companies both inside and outside of the industry can conduct their own online research using TWGA’s resources. This newresearch on demand (ROD) program allows graphic arts vendors and suppliers to do customized research.
ROD enables companies to develop online surveys tailored to their particular needs. With the aid of TWGA and its vast database of historical data and expert questionnaire design, companies can now conduct their own initial research investigations, quickly and inexpensively. At a cost of between $3,000-$6,000 for the basic service, TWGA’S ROD program is an affordable means of supporting the success of any marketing campaign, business project or laying the foundation for a more detailed study, according to the company.
TWGA’s ROD service is available as a separate service, or can be added as part of a larger subscription service that includes a combination of survey reports, special reports, and other TWGA products and offerings.
Clients have access to TWGA’s e-mailing lists (up to 6,000 names, depending on the availability of the target market), expert survey designers, experienced consultants and writers who will develop an online survey tailored to the company’s specific needs.
TWGA’s ROD service is comprised of an online survey methodology, which is e-mail driven. The web-based survey are ideal for their cost-effectiveness and the speed at which responses can be received and tabulated, according to TWGA.
TWGA specializes in the assessment of trends and changes in graphic communications markets by providing timely and strategic information, hard-hitting market analysis and concise expert opinion.
For more information go to TWGA’s web site, www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com, or call (866) 873-6310.