Irish Printer - Issue 6 2022

Paul Hogan’s story of persistence with INC. Design

04 News

A look at what’s happening in the print industry

14 Interview

IPF President Diarmuid Dawson talks about a depletion of skills in the sector and why industry engagement is key to the success of the new training pathway

17 Ring out the old

Printers from across the country share their thoughts on rising costs, the traditional Christmas dinner and why they’re quietly optimistic about the year ahead

Cover Story

With the help of Quadient, Paul Hogan at Inc Design has developed a progressive, creative company that always puts the client first

24 The Last Word

A look back at the Irish Printer Awards 2014, when Interpress NI took home the Supreme Award

ED’S LETTER

Welcome to issue 6 of Irish Printer for 2022.

In this month’s cover story, Paul Hogan at Inc Design talks about his career in print which began as a graphic design apprentice, an excellent starting point for his career in the print industry. The next 20 years were spent at Applied Signs & Display and in 2008, he left to set up Inc Design. Based in Dublin, Inc Design operates in the signage industry, marrying innovation and technology with traditional sign making skills. Continual investment in technology has helped the company grow and evolve in line with the industry, aided in part by Quadient. In the early days, one of the first machines purchased by Inc Design through Quadient was a Roland wide format printer, used by Paul to print a 3km hoarding on the Belmaine estate. Since that investment, Paul has purchased a further five machines through Quadient, the latest being a new Handtop machine which enables the company to print direct to solid substrate such as dibond, correx, foamex, wood or glass/acrylic. For more on Inc Design, turn to page 10. Also in this issue, we catch up with IPF President Diarmuid Dawson to talk about skills shortages in the industry and the new training pathway, due to launch early 2023. The success of the new training initiative, led by the Design, Print & Packaging Skillnet and supported by the IPF, depends on industry engagement. It represents an opportunity for the industry to grow and develop, says Diarmuid but for that to happen, print firms must commit to the practical training that needs to take place within their business. The ultimate aim is that the new pathway results in an industry that that can grow its own staff numbers in line with industry demand.

From everyone at Irish Printer, we’d like to wish our readers a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Here’s to a peaceful 2023.

Editor: Denise Maguire

Email: editor@irishprinter.ie

Creative Director: Jane Matthews

Designer: Lenny Rooney

Production: Nicole Ennis

Contact: Irish Printer, Ashville Media Group, Unit 55, Park West Road, Park West, Dublin 12, D12 X9F Tel: (01) 432 2200 Web: www.irishprinter.ie

Printed by: McGowans Print Printed on: HP Indigo 10000 using Novatech paper supplied by Antalis.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. If you have any thoughts on this issue, please drop us a line at editor@irishprinter.ie. Enjoy!

All rights reserved. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate. The publishers cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Reproduction by any means in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. © Ashville Media Group 2022. All discounts, promotions and competitions contained in this magazine are run independently of Irish Printer. The promoter/advertiser is responsible for honouring the prize. ISSN 0790-2026

UPDATES

MIMAKI

Mimaki adds to 330 Series platform

Mimaki has added the TS330-1600 sublimation transfer inkjet printer to its 330 Series platform. One of three models that make up the Mimaki 330 Series, the company says the new machine enables both volume production and high image quality printing for the textile and dye sublimation industry and can achieve a print speed of 69sq m/h in high speed mode, with its fastest mode reaching up to 135sq m/h. An improved take-up system featuring dual motors distributes the load and increases the power, enabling stable winding of printed paper even for long runs, while new heaters enhance the paper transport through the device. A larger 10kg ink tank supply unit which reduces ink costs compared to the standard 2L ink pack and allows for longer continuous printing, as well as a mini jumbo roll unit to load large quantities of transfer paper and further reduce running costs.

FUJIFILM

Fujifilm closes European o set plate production line

Fujifilm has announced the closure of the company’s o set plate production line in Tilburg, The Netherlands. Commenting on the move, Fujifilm said a continuous decrease in the demand for o set printing plates caused by the transition to other forms of communication, particularly digital media, prompted the closure. “This trend has been accelerated by the e ect of the Covid pandemic and the impact this has had on the way people consume print. This situation has been further compounded in Europe by raw material cost increases, the volatility of the energy market and the impact of higher inflation,” said a spokesperson. The company added it remains committed to supplying o set printing plates into the EMEA market and driving the adoption of its processless plates, such as the Superia ZX. Production of plates currently made in Tilburg will be transferred to factories in Japan and China and following the transfer, production of o set plates in Tilburg will cease in late 2023.

SMURFIT KAPPA

European investment by Smurfit Kappa

Smurfit Kappa has completed significant investments in its manufacturing plants in Olomouc in the Czech Republic and Obaly Štúrovo in Slovakia. The company says the investments of more than €20 million highlight Smurfit Kappa’s expansion and commitment to investing in its central and Eastern European operations. New converting equipment has gone into both plants, which will increase capacity by over 100 million regular and offset printed boxes per annum. Commenting on the two upgraded plants, Zdenek Suchitra, CEO of Smurfit Central & South-East Europe, said: “Through these investments, which have created state-of-the-art facilities for our plants, we are excellently positioned to satisfy our well-established customer base, whilst also venturing into the FMCG, eCommerce and electro-technical sectors. We are in a strong position to continue to deliver our high-quality sustainable solutions, as well as a best-in-class efficiency to the market and to be a better place to work for our people.”

Zdenek Suchitra, CEO, Smurfit Central & South-East

FLINT

Flint Group launches online webshop

Flint Group Packaging’s range of inks and coatings are available to order 24/7 on its new webshop platform. Thomas Gray, Vice President Strategy & Market Intelligence at Flint Group Packaging, said: “The concept of a web store isn’t new, but the way we have built this is led by the needs of our customers; an approach which is core to Flint Group’s strategy. For printers, time is precious and every moment counts. By taking the ordering process and translating it into a slick, intuitive online e-commerce platform, we’re enabling procurement to happen in a fraction of the time and on our customers’ terms. We are delighted with what we have

created and the feedback we have had from our customers so far has been extremely positive.”

For more information on Flint Group’s Webshop, email info.packaginginks@flintgrp.com

We are excellently positioned to satisfy our well-established customer base

Europe

Exhibitor numbers up for 2023 Print Show

Organisers of The Print Show have announced the event has reached a major milestone months ahead of time, with floor space for the 2023 show already 30% sold out. Among those to have booked their stand already for the show are ADAPT Amari Digital Printing Technologies, ASL Group, Venture Banners and VB Media, while new additions in recent weeks include Vivid Laminating Technologies, Premier Paper Group, Renz UK, Tradeprint and Flex4. “Returning to the calendar for the first time since 2019 was always going to be a big challenge for us, but from speaking to our exhibitors both during and after the show this year, it’s clear our return was a huge success,” Event Director Chris Davies said. “While footfall may have been understandably a little lighter than in previous years, companies at the show reported a significant number of quality leads and sales, with this having continued in the weeks following the event. This success is highlighted by the number of major exhibitors that have signed up to return next year, with more exciting announcements over returning exhibitors and new companies in the coming weeks and months.”

Spotlight on… durable labels

Labels that require special printing and finishing equipment are made possible with Mark Andy technology

To many people, a label is purely a decorative item used to convey information and draw attention to a product. We are used to using labels to influence our purchasing decisions in a variety of places like supermarket shelves and pharmacies. But what about the environments through which these labels must travel? The label has to be able to withstand different conditions, without compromising quality. According to Mark Andy, growing expectations and requirements for the durability and strength of a label, including those made by climate change, have become an increasingly important issue in many markets worldwide. Brand owners challenged by high temperatures of up to 40oC/104 F are a prime example. These labels need to be manufactured with special printing and finishing equipment. Climate-related challenges include all types of weather, with temperatures ranging from freezing to hot and arid and high humidity as evident in equatorial regions. Labels must also withstand abrasion which may occur during transportation or by coming into contact with sea water, blood, chemicals and more. Our view is that, considering all these factors, a label has become much more than a decoration and means of imparting information on packaging – it must also be durable and resistant to many different external conditions.

The foundation of a durable label is a stronger and heavier gauge substrate than that of a standard label. If they are pressure sensitive, the adhesive will need to be very aggressive to cope with sub-zero or beyond boiling point temperatures. Ink must also be a consideration; it should be lightfast and suitable for harsh conditions with good adhesion, rub and scuff properties.

On the consumable side, Mark Andy digital inks have high lightfastness ratings and excellent adhesion, scuff and rub properties. The ink used on the Mark Andy Digital Series HD hybrid press is also autoclave and boilingwater safe, tested for solvent resistance to ASTM 5402-06 for solvents, grease, oil, fats, alcohol and blood, tape test approved to ASTM 3359, has 7-8 on the blue wool scale, meets rub, scuff and abrasion tests to industry standard ASTM 5264-98, and carries UL 969 certification for durable label applications.

When discussing hardworking and durable labels, RFID tags are a good example, especially with its growing popularity and implementation to meet the evolving requirements of different worldwide markets. To meet these growing needs, Mark Andy has designed and built presses equipped with RFID modules that enable the application of tags.

Lena Chmielewska-Bontron is European Marketing Manager at Mark Andy

Ambiente, the world’s leading consumer goods trade fair, will be held from 3 - 7 February 2023 at Messe Frankfurt

MOVING THE FUTURE

At the 2023 event, a host of exhibitions, special presentations and competitions will demonstrate the diverse range of factors that are set to shape the future. The programme of events at Ambiente is as diverse as the international lifestyles on show, exploring the themes that influence purchasing decisions and identify key market trends.

For example, at the Ethical Style Spots with sustainable exhibitor products and at the Solutions special presentation with genuinely innovative solutions for kitchen and household. Talents 2023 showcases exciting creative design, the German Design Award exhibition presents the finalists of the Newcomer Award, while the Ambiente Academies offer a stage for renowned industry experts to give their views and forecasts for the consumer goods market.

New market, new structure

Only Ambiente offers such a comprehensive overview of the global range of consumer goods. The Dining area at the fair is the number-one showcase for table, kitchen and household products. At the Living area, you will find all the latest styles around interior design, furnishings and decoration. The Giving area presents a diverse array of gifts and personal accessories and now also includes premium stationery and school supplies. The new Working area demonstrates in concrete terms what the working worlds of tomorrow will look like. The Contract Business and HoReCa segments offer intersections with

potential for expansion. It also focuses on major current themes such as sustainability, new work, design, lifestyles, future retail and the Digital Expansion of trade. What’s more, it is the ideal forum for forging contacts and finding new business partners.

Conzoom Solutions Academy

The expert lectures at the Conzoom Solutions Academy are aimed primarily at the retail sector and offer a wealth of insights, information and tips. The focus here is on metathemes such as Sustainability and Future Retail. Gift wrapping expert Jane Means, who has advised Dior and Harrods, talks about sustainable and cost-effective ideas for gift wrapping services in retail. M.A. Andreas Reiter from Zukunftsbüro Vienna explains what he means by the “Revenge of Analogue” and describes the sensual, tactile shopping experience of the future. The consumer goods market is moving: From 2023, Ambiente will be held in parallel with Christmasworld and Creativeworld in Frankfurt am Main, thus creating new synergies. This includes, among other things, the expansion and merging of the Global Sourcing section of the three leading trade fairs into a joint offering.

Save

the date Ambiente 3 - 7 February 2023

Come and experience it for yourself!

McGowans on the Toy Show

McGowans Cardboard Magic made its third appearance on this year’s Late Late Toy Show with a custom-built cardboard airplane cockpit for Aron Gibbons, aged 6, to fly. Michal and Gillian, structural and graphic designers on the cockpit, managed to create such a strong and sturdy structure that even host Ryan Tubridy had no problem sitting beside Aron as it took off.

MCGOWANS

A lack of progress - Two Sides gives its take on the recent climate conference in Egypt

For many, this year’s COP27 climate conference offered a chance for action, an opportunity for world leaders to gather and agree on firm resolutions to reverse the increase in carbon emissions and global temperature rise. However, two weeks after the conference opened on November 6, there was a general feeling of disappointment and frustration as delegates packed their bags and left. Many felt that the event was a failure in terms of reducing carbon dioxide, with several countries trying to pull out of the decision taken at COP26 in Glasgow to keep temperature increases to 1.5ºC and the final text regarded as weak, without any significant progress made.

Amid the tension and disappointment

of the final deal, there were a few positive pieces of news at the conference. It was agreed by over 200 countries that a global fund for “loss and damage” was to be set up, which would provide much-needed financial assistance to countries directly affected by climate disasters. Since many smaller countries had been seeking some form of assistance for over 30 years, this was seen as a victory, especially following Pakistan’s record floods in September.

Those disappointed by the outcomes of COP27 will now be looking forward to the COP15 UN Biodiversity Summit. Held in Montreal from 7-19 December, COP15 will be the nature equivalent of COP27, with governments from around the world expected to agree on targets to stop

the destruction of natural habitats. It’s hoped that this year’s Biodiversity Summit will result in a resolution on the same ambitious scale as the Paris agreement to limit global warming to 1.5ºC. “To have a 50% chance of achieving 1.5ºC and thus limiting tipping point risks, global greenhouse gas emissions must be cut by half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050,” said Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. “Critically, these pathways rely on the continuing capacity of nature to operate as a carbon sink and to buffer against the worst impacts of climate change –1.5C is not a goal, it is a biophysical limit. Nature is one of the best climate solutions for remaining within that limit.”

COVER STORY

PAUL HOGAN’S Persistence story of with INC. Design

From the age of 13 I wanted to be an artist of some description, I didn’t know exactly what that job was, but I knew I would be working in the field of art and design.

After school in 1988 I got the opportunity to work as an apprentice with a graphic designer called Stephen Hollingshead , in a big old beautiful house in Rathgar, Dublin. Everything was hand-cut back then, there were no computers in his studio and remote resources did not exist, so it was good training for the print industry.

Two years later I interviewed for a company called Applied Signs & Display and ended up working with them for the next twenty years. I was their first employee, and when I left, I was a company director, which was an amazing experience.

The service and assistance from Quadient was brilliant, and their support has helped us to develop the business

By 2008 I decided to start Inc Design Despite tough times during that recession, we managed to keep going, and through Quadient we acquired one of the first Roland wide format printers in Ireland, which we used for our first large-scale project. This was a contract to print a hoarding which was three kilometers long, on a large estate called Belmaine. The service and assistance from Quadient was brilliant, and their support has helped us to develop the business.

Our latest work includes supplying all the printing to wrap a bow on the eBay building in Dublin and designing the signage for a cinema in University College Dublin (UCD), from concept through to final finish. Service is a key component of our business, and we always focus on building trust with our clients.

Change has never been so easy

Join the change innovation

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FEEDER-FOLDER

The new module eliminates the need to pre-fold enclosures. It supports Single, C and Z-folds, and pre-folded inserts as well.

HIGHER SYSTEM AND ACCUMULATION SPEEDS

Tower Folders come in five variants and with a document accumulation speed of 8,000 or 14,000 documents per hour.

EASILY CHANGE JOBS

Create new jobs quickly through its intuitive 22” touchscreen.

APPLICATION DIVERSITY

Suitable for C4, C5, C5/C6 envelopes, booklets, flyers, brochures, A4, A5.

MEET YOUR SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS

Optimise your resources by splitting your job faster and minimising the idle time.

BY FINTAN FRIEL

We are a team of five people, and we see Inc Design as a progressive, creative company that can progress an initial concept through to final completion.

These days, many of our projects are done through marketing agencies, which allows us to have a variation of work. We like developing ideas, and we have a collaborative studio approach to design.

Our latest investment is a brand new Handtop machine which opens new opportunities for the business. This is an 8x4 flatbed UV LED printer, that enables us to print direct to solid substrate such as dibond, correx, foamex, wood or glass/acrylic.

The inks are UV Cured , so no lamination is required for weather proofing/durability. Usage examples would be site hoarding, Exhibition Panels, Tabletops, etc.

Flatbed printing reduces the processes, taking out the need to print onto vinyl, then laminate and mount onto board, therefore speeding up the process, and reducing cost.

This will be the fifth machine that Inc Design has acquired with the support of Quadient, our account manager there is Rob Nagle, and his previous experience working in production means he understands both the technical and commercial aspects of the business.

The final word here must be thanks to all the companies who have helped me along the road, especially on the rocky parts! Thanks also to Kyron Street, Applied Branding & Events, Insight Marketing , Hale Vaping , Ecs, all my suppliers and a special thanks to Quadient

PHOTOGRAPHY

INTERVIEW

HERE’S TO a more stable 2023

The challenge of sourcing skilled staff in the print industry is one that’s been well documented. The reasons for this shortage are varied – digital has had a huge impact on the sector with print firms increasingly digitising their products and services, a move that’s had a negative impact on print industry employment levels. Alongside the impact of digital, an aging workforce and retirement is forcing some firms to increasingly rely on automation and technology. Recent statistics from the US show that the average age of workers in the “printing and related support activities” sector is 49 years old. With younger people less inclined to join the print industry, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to fill positions once older people retire. “We’re seeing an increase in the numbers of people leaving the industry and a depletion of skills. One reason for that is certainly retirement and another is the fact that the large multinationals are recruiting people from across all industries, including print. They can offer higher rates of pay that printers simply can’t compete with. Training is key to try and combat this; if training initiatives aren’t being offered to employees, they’ll move on,” said Diarmuid Dawson, IPF President.

Earlier this year, the Design, Print & Packaging Skillnet announced that research into the training requirements of print firms had been carried out by Dr Kevin Byrne of TU Dublin. Out of that research, a training pathway, made up of a series of individual programmes to be completed by individuals in modular format over an 18 month period, was announced. The pathway will be broken down into

three elements; pre-press, printing or post-press. A participant can gain a global qualification across all three, or can concentrate on just one and employees that engage with the pathway will gain a ‘Print Media Technician’ qualification upon completion. The pathway is a work in progress but significant headway has been made, says Diarmuid. “This Print Media Technician pathway is a result of the passionate people at both the IPF and at DPP Skillnet who recognise that we have to train our staff and give them something back in terms of qualification. Print firms that want to engage with the training pathway must be members of the IPF, which is sponsoring and supporting the Skillnet training network. That’s why we decided not to charge a membership fee this year. I think it’s also important to mention that for a small print firm, a year’s membership of the IPF costs just €50.” It’s intended that the training pathway, which should launch in early 2023, will be a mix of online, classroom and practical learning. The industry is eager to engage, but DPP Skillnet and the IPF are keen to ensure all companies across all sub-sectors of the industry are aware of the importance of the pathway. “The nature of the programme is such that it will be easy for people to engage with. Participants can begin at any stage and it’s open to people entering the industry for

to

the first time or

people

IPF President Diarmuid Dawson chats to Irish Printer about a depletion of skills in the sector and why the new training pathway needs the support of the industry

already working in the sector who want to upskill. There’s an awareness that there’s an urgent need for this type of pathway. One of the biggest obstacles to growth for a lot of companies right now is qualified staff. The ability to actually operate is at stake for a large number of firms in growth sectors. Retention is also a huge issue; if I take on new staff, how can I provide them with a career that will keep them interested and increase their value within the company? That’s what we’re setting out to address with this pathway.”

The new training initiative represents an opportunity for the industry to grow and develop, says Diarmuid. “The success of the pathway is also dependent on industry participation. We need print firms to commit to the practical training that needs to take place within their business. The aim is that this pathway will result in an industry that can grow its own staff numbers in line with industry demand.”

The commercial print market is, says Diarmuid, still performing badly. Some print firms that are unable to afford skilled workers or specialist equipment are

Print Media Technician

A New Industry Scheme to address the gap left by the demise of the Print Apprenticeship Scheme with funding from Skillnet Ireland. The Print Training Pathway is a new scheme in development and need your input to ensure it is a success.

outsourcing work to larger firms, says Diarmuid. “Sending work to bigger trade printers is definitely becoming a trend. It could be that a job requires specialised finishing or laminating, services which some small printers may not be able to provide anymore. By shopping jobs out, they’re able to keep their customers. There are pluses and minuses to this, primarily around quality and delivery. Volumes are so down in the commercial side of the industry that it may make more sense for a small printer to outsource jobs, but it’s indicative of the slowdown in commercial and of the overall skills shortage across the industry.”

In the newspaper and magazine sectors, quantities are coming down but both the packaging and labels sectors are still quite busy, says Diarmuid. Research indicates that the size of the global packaging industry will increase by almost €162 billion between 2021 and 2025, accelerating at a compound annual growth rate of 4% during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to massive demand from the e-commerce transport and shipment, food and beverage, personal care, household care and healthcare industries for convenience-based packaging. Similarly, the global print label market is expected to reach a value of €53 billion by 2027.

An increase in bulk mail discounts by An Post in September may not affect all printers, but will have an impact on customers and charities. “Quite often you can’t control the amount of post that you need to send out, so costs are still increasing on that side. We’ve also had ongoing increases in paper costs. From April last year to April 2022, we had a 40% increase. Naturally, these price rises are forcing clients to consider alternative ways of getting their message across to customers, such as email. They’re killing the industry. Added to that, firms have the cost of living crisis to contend with and trying to pass those costs on is impossible.”

In terms of material costs going forward, there are no indicators that further increases are on the horizon. “There’s talk that perhaps by the middle of next year, we’ll start to see reductions in price. We have to take that as a positive; it would be great to see price coming back towards the supplier. I think everyone in the industry is hoping for a more stable and profitable 2023.”

The Design, Federation is Committee to support the For details Brian Colleran brian@dppskillnet.ie

As the year draws to a close, printers from across the country share their thoughts on rising costs, the traditional Christmas dinner and why they’re quietly optimistic about the year ahead

RINGOLD out the

Paddy Gallagher, Sales Director, Print Media Services

How was business in 2022?

Business was good overall, but there has been a definite slowdown in the last quarter.

Are rising costs having an impact?

We’re no stranger to paper price increases and passing them on. When paper cost increases started I remember saying, “I don’t care what it costs, once it doesn’t go scarce.” Of course, we also had supply issues on certain papers and boards which was a bigger problem. Almost all other costs have also increased – plates, ink, energy and transport. Yes it’s challenging, but the cost of printing has been on the floor for far too long and these increases have allowed prices to increase across the board which isn’t a bad thing, as long as there is a demand. A fall in demand will be a problem if it happens, but we are positive that demand will hold up in 2023.

Are

you optimistic about the year ahead?

Yes. We must believe that our growth prediction for 2023 is true. To quote Ursula von der Leyen, “We need to believe and we must do everything in our power to make this belief a reality”.

What will you not miss about 2022?

I won’t miss those elasticated medical face masks and seeing them hanging from rear view mirrors and indicator stalks.

How will you be spending the Christmas period?

I will have the Christmas with my family in Navan, then head west for a few days to my parents’ house on Achill Island. I’m really looking forward to it this year, more so than last year.

Do you enjoy the traditional roast turkey dinner on Christmas Day or do you opt for something a bit different?

It’s gotta be traditional for me. You can’t beat the auld turkey and ham and of course, the sprouts…

Enda Brophy, Managing Director, GPMI

What are some of the challenges affecting the business?

Inflation has affected every part of the business, along with our customers’ business. Lead times, changing prices and international logistics all remain a challenge.

How was business in 2022?

Very steady after a slow first quarter.

Are you optimistic about the year ahead?

Cautiously optimistic, yes.

Ltd

How will you be spending the Christmas period?

At home with the family. My parents are also coming to enjoy their 88th and 90th Christmas respectively!

What do you like to eat on Christmas Day?

I’m from the generation that had turkey on Christmas Day and the following day, then every day for at least a week after!

What will you not miss about 2022?

How long do you have?

Carmel Waterman, Co-Owner, Carraig Print Litho Press

How was business in 2022?

There was a definite improvement on 2021, our turnover was up this year.

Are rising costs having an impact?

Absolutely. Where there’s the possibility of absorbing these costs you do, but outside of that we have to increase our prices which of course impacts our customers. There are still delays when it comes to materials being delivered; that wouldn’t have happened before Covid, so we would say there are still lasting repercussions of the pandemic.

Are you optimistic about the year ahead?

Yes, we are always optimistic :)

What will you not miss about 2022?

The rain we’ve had in Cork recently.

How will you be spending the Christmas period?

Relaxing and enjoying a much deserved break.

Do you enjoy the traditional roast turkey dinner on Christmas Day or do you opt for something a bit different?

Roast turkey dinner, especially if you’re not the one cooking it!

Eugene Healy, Managing Director, Trimfold

Are you optimistic about the year ahead?

I think everyone in business must be an optimist, if not we would not do what we do.

It looks like there will be some level of stability with regards to costs and this certainly helps! So yes, I am looking forward to a fresh start and I expect us to have a good year, all things going well in the world.

How was business in 2022?

It has been a difficult year, with paper mill strikes, paper price increases and energy cost increases. The first six months also had the spectre of Covid still haunting everyone and we lost serious time due to this. Thankfully, everyone that was affected is back to full health.

What are some of the challenges affecting the business?

Increases in postal charges continue to take volume out of the market. We are experiencing shorter run lengths, which again push up costs! Staff retention is an issue, as is a lack of skilled staff. The effects of the dreaded Brexit are still being felt.

Are rising costs having an impact?

Of course they are, no different to what we are seeing in our everyday lives. The level and speed at which these increases took place left it difficult to recover costs at the same rate.

What will you not miss about 2022?

There is not much to miss about 2022 from a business perspective or from a humanity perspective. Given our past world history, how can we allow this genocide to continue in Ukraine? 2022 has been a year of profound change that will change the world going forward. I feel very sad for the people living through this nightmare. So yes goodbye 2022, hello 2023.

How will you be spending the Christmas period?

I like to be home relaxing with my family, that’s what’s most important to me. Other than that, I’m a bit of a ‘Bah Humbug’ person. I dislike the whole mad build up to Christmas, the present buying (the socks you hate, the gaudy ties), all this preparation for just one day! I wish everyone on a daily basis would treat their fellow humans with the same dignity, respect and charitable approach that’s applied for the Christmas period.

Do you enjoy the traditional roast turkey dinner on Christmas Day?

I actually do the cooking at Christmas and enjoy the traditional Christmas fare!

Mark Needham, Structural Designer, Rostrum Design

Are rising costs having an impact?

Rostrum operates on two fronts – as a structural design agency and as a distribution point for Re-Board products. Our structural design services have not been impacted by recent economic changes, thankfully. However, for Rostrum’s Re-board distribution service, the rising cost of energy has brought unavoidable cost increases into both manufacturing and transport logistics. One important point to note is that Re-board Technologies products have not been subject to the sharp manufacturing price increase seen across other material suppliers.

Are you optimistic about the year ahead?

Very. We are continuously networking with the right people, which has resulted in a strong increase in new sales growth over 2022. This is largely from small format printers, print procurement agencies and independent agents, both foreign and domestic. Jamie and I have purposely positioned Rostrum as a sustainable design agency and we have worked hard to find ethical partners who see value in our services and want to grow with us.

What will you not miss about 2022?

The uncertainty or the foolish and reckless decisions of world leaders that have had such detrimental effects on the lives of ordinary men and women. With global economic trade hanging in the balance and policy decisions that are slowly eroding the middle class, people’s lives have literally been turned upside down. It would seem we are losing our compassion for each other. We can do better.

How will you be spending the Christmas period?

Most likely, it will be spent sharing meals and gifts with close family friends, taking lazy afternoon walks (and hopefully a few sea swims) and catching up with old friends. As a father, there will definitely be a visit to Santa Claus in there too.

Do you enjoy the traditional roast turkey dinner on Christmas Day?

This year, we will spend Christmas with my wife’s family in Sardinia. So, for those who have never experienced an Italian Christmas dinner, put it on your bucket list, but a word of caution – one must prepare themselves days in advance for this meal and at least one day of fasting is recommended beforehand. Christmas dinner starts early in the afternoon in Sardinia and runs long into the evening. There is no real end to the meal, but the finish line draws near when Papassinas, a traditional Sardinian sweet or traditional Panettone, are brought out.

Ciaran Bowe, Sales Director, P+D

How will you be spending Christmas?

I’m looking forward to relaxing and having time at home with my family to recharge and be ready to start 2023.

How was business in 2022?

Despite the obvious challenges, we had a very positive 2022 thanks to the continued support of our loyal customers and hard work of the team throughout the company. We have seen growth in both our turnover and customer base in 2022 and we have continued to expand our offering across our manufacturing and design and fulfilment portfolios. We also invested further in new technology, with the addition of new roll to roll printers and the extremely impressive Elitron Kombo TAV.

What challenges are affecting the business?

We see a significant impact from rising costs. This feeds into our cost of manufacturing with increases in energy, heating and peripherals all increasing overheads. Increases in raw materials also put margins under real pressure, but we feel if you’re honest and work with your suppliers and customers, they will reciprocate as they’re all facing similar pressures. We have tried to use this cost pressure as a positive to drive operational efficiency and reduce any waste. The other positive of high energy costs is it makes us focus on developing the most energy and environmentally efficient manufacturing methods possible.

Are you optimistic about 2023?

Like most companies, we hold a sense of cautious optimism about 2023. The continued cost of living emergency and possible economic downturn will likely be real factors in 2023. We believe with a combination of exceptional customer service, a dedication to quality and a determination to drive efficiencies as a team, we can continue our growth into 2023. We’re currently looking at another round of capital investment for 2023 in new print technology that’s more energy efficient and will also improve our output and quality.

Tony Roe, MD, McGowans

Are you optimistic about the year ahead?

We’re quite optimistic about making further big steps into the packaging supply industry, which is a far bigger market than Point of Sale and general commercial print.

How was business in 2022?

We had a very busy year generally, more specifically for packaging and retail.

Are rising costs having an impact?

Yes, rising costs across the board are having an impact, from material through to delivery. They’re a huge challenge to the business.

Managing expansion and holding margins are also proving challenging.

What

will you not miss about 2022?

Letters from material suppliers.

How will you be spending the Christmas period?

Up a mountain in Austria with several glasses of Gluhwein - GUTEN RUTSCH!!

Do you enjoy the traditional roast turkey dinner on Christmas Day?

Yes, turkey and ham with my body’s weight in vegetables.

Nick Little, Managing Director, Trimwel

How was business in 2022?

Very good. In 2022 we ramped up stock and took space in an external facility, which allowed us to have stock ready to sell. We also added a sales person in Northern Ireland.

Are rising costs having an impact?

Yes, price increases from suppliers have impacted our business and we have tried to manage them as best we can. They’re definitely hard to take at times.

Are you optimistic about the year ahead?

I am optimistic and we feel we will grow, but at a slower pace than the last few years. Price is a big issue but so is having stock and we feel Trimwel is in a very good position in that respect.

What will you not miss about 2022?

Fuel and energy increases will hopefully level off. This has affected not just the business but our staff.

PRINTER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2014

The Irish Print Awards’ highest accolade, the Printer of the Year award, is chosen by the Irish Print Awards judging panel following a review of all finalists across each year’s categories. This year, Interpress NI emerged victorious and made history in the process, becoming the first newspaper printer to win the prestigious Printer of the Year award since the awards began 37 years ago.

“The fact that it is a first makes it even more important to us,” says Interpress NI’s Production Manager, David Wilson. “It is an incredible achievement for us and the press crew deserves huge credit for maintaining the consistently high print standards. There are 24 staff here, 12 on each shift, and they seem to get better year-on-year. We

began trading in 2005 with what remains our core title, The Irish News, and we now publish 30 titles on a weekly basis. We have achieved 13 major print awards in the last 10 years, including the National Newspapers award in 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Regional Newspapers award in 2013, and now the National Newspapers and Printer of the Year 2014 award, which is another significant achievement. The Printer of the Year award is a testament to the endeavours of the entire production team here at Interpress and our suppliers, who support us in terms of sourcing the best materials. This is an incredible accolade to receive from our peers –it is truly overwhelming.”

Interpress NI prints the following titles: The Irish News and Farmweek for The Irish News Ltd; Inish Times,

Donegal Post, Letterkenny Post, Kildare Post, Derry News and Co Derry Post for River Media; the Ballymena Guardian, Antrim Guardian, Coleraine Chronicle, Ballymoney Chronicle, Ballycastle Chronicle, Northern Constitution and The Leader for the Alpha Newspaper Group (Northern Group); the Tyrone Courier, Ulster Gazette, Newry Democrat, The Outlook, Tyrone Constitution, and Strabane Weekly News for the Alpha Newspaper Group (Counties Group); the Newry Reporter and Banbridge Chronicle for Hodgett Ltd, the Impartial Reporter for Romanes Media Group; the Down Recorder for W.Y.Crichton + Co; the Co Antrim Post for MD Media N.I.Ltd; the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday Mail for Trinity Mirror; and the Sunday Post for D.C. Thomson.

Print Awards | IRISH PRINTER

(l-r): Alan Brown, Managing Director, IBS, a Xerox Company, presents the Irish Printer magazine’s Printer of the Year 2014 award to Donal Fitzpatrick,Thomas Carey, Peter Cunningham, David Wilson and Eamonn Doherty of Interpress NI.

Take a fresh look at Fujifilm

People often tell us that we’re the print industry’s best kept secret. While we’re happy with the accolade, it’s time to share our story.

We have a commitment to print, and the technologies that bring it to life, that is second to none. And with a portfolio of industry-leading analogue and digital solutions, we are uniquely positioned to help you transform your business in a rapidly changing world.

Sam Cherry, Director, Ebbsfleet Printing Solutions. Fujifilm Acui ty Prime