Investment activity in the printing industry is high. This is shown by a survey of companies on the financing climate, which the Federal Association of Printing and Media (BVDM) conducted from March to April 2026 in collaboration with the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and 19 other industry and business associations. The financing climate has remained relatively stable since the last survey in 2024, though investment activity is focused on replacement investments and cost reductions.
In this year’s survey, printing and media companies rated their access to credit as generally positive, similar to the 2024 survey. However, companies with an annual turnover of less than €1 million find it significantly harder to secure loans than larger companies. Companies’ equity ratios remained stable, whilst there were signs of a deterioration in credit ratings. Investment activity remains high, with the focus on replacement investments and cost reductions. Consequently, the primary objective was to keep existing plant, machinery or technical infrastructure operational, whilst growth-oriented motives took a somewhat back seat. This is evident from the latest report by the Federal Association of Printing and Media (BVDM) on the corporate survey regarding the financing climate.
BVDM
The Federal Association of Printing and Media (BVDM) is the umbrella organisation for the German printing industry. As an employers’ organisation, a political trade association and a technical trade association, it represents the positions and objectives of the printing industry in dealings with politicians, public authorities, trade unions and the supply industry. The BVDM is supported by eight regional associations. Internationally, it is organised through its membership of Intergraf and FESPA. The printing industry currently comprises around 6,300 predominantly small and medium-sized enterprises, employing more than 99,000 people subject to social security contributions.
