Cover story
What do you expect your investment to be over the next
two years, as a percentage of your annual sales?
5%
3% or less
10%
30%
13%
16%
3-6%
6-9%
9-12%
27%
12-15%
More than 15%
If you plan to invest more over the next two years, tell us
why?
To operate more efficiently 64.2%
Invest to stay competitive 63.4%
Need to keep up with growth 39.0%
Starting a new division
17.1%
If you plan to scale back your investment over the next two
years, why is that so?
Economic uncertainty 47.4%
Lack of financial resources 19.0%
Lower sales 31.6%
Scaling back the company
7.4%
At capacity, so we have no need 28.4%
Borrowing ability stays the course
This is usually a contentious topic. But for our respondents,
this year, financing seems to be a stable topic.
Would you say it’s becoming easier or harder to obtain
financing for equipment purchases?
Significantly harder 7.0%
Moderately harder 12.7%
Somewhat harder 13.4%
The same
52.8%
Somewhat easier 9.2%
Moderately easier 2.8%
Significantly easier 2.1%
Reasons for investing
The most crucial reason for investing is to increase efficien-
cies, though almost half of our respondents say they plan to
enter new markets or offer more services. That’s encouraging.
As for investment choices, it’s bindery, wide-format inkjet,
automation, and colour toner presses that lead the way.
22 | March 2018 | GRAPHIC ARTS MAGAZINE
Please tell us what your investment goals are for the next
two years.
Increase efficiencies
Enter new markets
Offer more services
Replace obsolete equipment
Environmental considerations
Reduce labour costs by
increasing automation
59.9%
48.2%
54.0%
43.0%
11.0%
35.0%
Indicate what you plan to invest in over the next two years.
Digital infrastructure, servers, etc.
Workflow systems
Database management systems
Other software
Computer-to-plate (CTP)
Mailing equipment
Fulfillment and kitting
Offset presses
28”
40”
larger than 40”
Web offset presses
Digital colour (toner) presses
Inkjet wide-format printer
Inkjet sheetfed presses
Inkjet continuous-feed presses
Inkjet packaging presses
Inkjet label presses
Bindery/finishing equipment
Digital finishing equipment
Other
34.33%
30.60%
18.7%
11.94%
6.7%
5.97%
5.22%
4.5%
3.0%
1.5%
3.0%
27.61%
34.33%
5.97%
1.5%
3.0%
7.46%
31.34%
34.3%
10.5%
Tell us more about your inkjet equipment investments. If
you plan to invest in a large-format printer, what type are
you looking at? Choose all that apply.
Aqueous
Latex
Solvent
17.86%
28.57%
13.10%
Eco-solvent 33.33%
UV-curable 28.57%
Dye sublimation 17.86%
UV Gel 9.52%
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