The Annual Roland DG EMEA Digital Print Survey Shows The Sector To Be Bullish On 2022 Revenues After A Testing 2021
Image By Courtesy of Roland DG EMEA
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, - Roland DG EMEA recently announced its annual State of Digital Printing in Europe report.
The study, which measures the business performance and confidence of 1,300+ print shop owners across the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain has revealed that the sector is bullish on 2022 revenues after a testing 2021.
The study reveals that in 2021, against the backdrop of stop-start national lockdowns and a decrease in COVID-related financial assistance, more than half of European print shops were flat or down on revenue in the 12 months from 1st January – 31st December 2021. Only a third (33 per cent) reported turnover increases in the period.
However, despite the economic and geopolitical turbulence in the region, in a sign of growing confidence, nearly half of those surveyed were projecting a modest or significant increase in revenue in 2022. Less than a quarter (24 per cent) expect trading to be flat, and just 14 per cent are expecting a decline.
Stephen Davis, EMEA Marketing Director comments: “Although the industry is still navigating a tough, complex trading environment, the steady return of key industries such as travel, tourism and hospitality after COVID is clearly having a positive impact on confidence levels.”
When asked about their key business objective in the next three years, a third (30 per cent) of those polled are setting their sights on increasing production capability and a quarter (27 per cent) are exploring some sort of expansion opportunity.
Another group of print shops are focused on seizing the opportunities created by advances in fabric printing such as DTF and DTG (11 per cent), UV printing (11 per cent) as well as entering new markets with existing devices (10 per cent).
The study also quizzed print shops about the long-term impact of COVID-19, revealing sharp differences of opinion across the sector.
A third (37 per cent) believe that printing will return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022, a third (30 per cent) think it will be three years and a quarter (24 per cent) are reserving judgement.
Stephen Davis, EMEA Marketing Director continues: “Time and again, the printing industry has shown its remarkable ability to innovate and hustle its way out of a crisis. We are confident that this fearless approach will keep the sector vibrant for decades to come.”
About The Roland DG Coporation
The Roland DG Corporation, Hamamatsu, Japan, is a worldwide leader in the sign, graphic arts, commercial print, packaging, labelling, promotional gift, textile, engraving, milling and 3D modelling industries.
Founded in 1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG is the world’s number one provider of wide-format inkjet printers for the durable graphics market, and has proven time and time again to provide excellent customer service, training and support to our end users over the years.
Roland DG is also affiliated with Roland Corporation, renowned in the music world for developing MIDI technology and for producing sophisticated digital music equipment including keyboard synthesizers, recording equipment and other related technologies.
Roland DG finds its technology roots in the music industry as well; the company’s advanced plotting technology was originally used to record the sound waves for Roland Corporation’s line of music synthesizers.
This precision plotting technology quickly garnered widespread acceptance during the CAD/CAM revolution of the 1980s and provided the basis for new generations of digital input and output technologies to follow.
