The printing industry has undergone three years of profound changes and, according to the BVDM industry report, is currently in a sustained phase of consolidation. The intensity of the decline in production is easing, but a sustained upturn is not yet in sight.
The industry continues to struggle with the effects of a weak economy, the aftermath of the energy crisis and profound structural change. Digitalisation in particular has been a key driver of the decline in orders for years, as customers increasingly turn to digital alternatives and advertising and marketing budgets decline at the same time. The industry is recording an average decline in production of 2.4 per cent per year. This development should be understood less as a short-term crisis and more as a new reality. The future lies in adapting to changed conditions. Those who invest today – in technology, efficiency and new business models – will secure competitive advantages tomorrow.
Capacity utilisation
Average capacity utilisation is particularly critical. This declined over the course of 2024, which could lead to an increase in unit costs and a decline in competitiveness. However, not all companies are equally affected by low capacity utilisation. Companies with innovative production processes and flexible business models can hold their own in this environment and grow, while others face profound pressure to transform.
Stabilisation
Despite all the challenges, some indicators point to a possible stabilisation. Price dynamics are flattening out and sales prices for print products have been moving sideways since 2024. The slight improvement in production decline compared to the previous quarter also indicates a slowdown in the decline. And there are initial positive signs for 2025, with average capacity utilisation around half a percentage point higher than in 2024 and around five per cent higher than in July 2024.
BVDM
The German Printing and Media Association (BVDM) is the umbrella organisation for the German printing industry. As an employers’ association, political trade association and technical association, it represents the positions and objectives of the printing industry vis-à-vis politicians, administrators, 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 companies with more than 99,000 employees subject to social insurance contributions.
