This study of the book production industry (JIS) was driven by a Steering Committee of publishers and printers representing the Printing Industries Association of Australia and the Australian Publishers Association (APA) to:
- establish industry best practices
- identify the opportunities the industry has for future growth and
- make recommendations as to how opportunities for future growth can be realised.
Among the findings the study found that the main opportunities for Australian book printers to reduce their paper costs would be to:
- move down in grammage;
- switch to lower-quality papers, for example, from a woodfree sheet toa mechanical sheet;
- rationalise the number of sizes they carry, so that they can reduce theirworking capital commitments;
- increase their usage of digital printing for the smaller run lengths or
- review minimal run lengths for web-fed printing;
- reduce wastage through reduction in reprints due to quality or errorissues.
The JIS also identified 12 characteristics of successful companies. These included:
- Have defined goals that are clearly understood by employees at all levels.
- Demonstrate inspiring and enthusiastic leadership that fosters confidence and loyalty in both employees and customers.
- Develop a proficient team, competent in administrative and production tasks.
- Develop close relationships with customers, listen to their requests, and offer fair prices, adequate quality, and a quick response to their needs.
- Have a special and significant niche market that attracts hard-core profitable business and is the feature of the company.
- Have technology that is adequate for efficient fulfillment of their chosen market.
- Have ready access to basic raw materials procured from best sources.
- Do not attempt to be 'all things to all men'
- Sub-contract work out to strategic alliance partners to widen market possibilities.
- Promote continuous learning to all employees, attract suitable apprentices to ensure competent tradespeople, and suitably reward merit.
- Have a knowledge of quality management and an understanding of total value chain processes.
- Create and develop additional complementary services that are of higher value to customers.
- Keep a lookout for strategic partnerships, joint ventures, networks, beneficial industry or government programs.
The reports, while focussed on book production, contain intelligence and strategies that can be adapted to any print business environment. (see below)
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Joint Industry Study (pdf - 594.1 kb)
The JIS looks at opportunities for growth, improved performance and best practice in the book production industry |
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JIS - PowerPoint summary (ppt - 165.5 kb)
Summary of the JIS findings. |
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