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Vol 4 | Year 2017
Outsourcing will play a greater part in the future (S. Bobb)
British Association for Print and Communication was originally formed in 1978 to help gain acceptance of the on-demand end of the Print market. The BAPC has grown into a major representational body to the print and creative industry. It is a body that can speak on behalf of everyone in the business and offer every business the benefit of help and assistance across the spectrum of business advice and services. bObb has primary responsibility for strategic planning and development, external relat
Sidney Bobb, the Chairman of the BAPC and leader of National Council, in this interview states that the print and creative industry is one of the largest commercial sectors in the UK and yet is is made up prom predominately small companies. Bobb believes that the number of small production houses will reduce but there may well be an increase in service operations. As a future key factor in this industry in UK, Bobb mentions outsourcing that will play a greater part in this game.
Outsourcing will play a greater part as will the specialisation.
As a chairman of British Association for Print and Communication - BAPC, can you tell us what are the association’s mission and goals?
The print and creative industry is one of the largest commercial sectors in the UK. Yet it is made up from predominately small companies. Most of those companies do not have the financial leverage or human resources to access the level of support and expertise available to larger organisations. The need help from the industry they represent and a collective voice to maximise their business opportunities - that is where the BAPC comes in. As a collective body for everybody in our sector, the BAPC enables ideas and resources to be pooled and shared resulting in everyone having access to smarter ways of working, a wide range of support services and all kinds of stimuli to business growth.
What are association’s activities?
In addition to providing a wide range of benefits including benchmarking, business advice, equipment assessments, health & safety employment guide, marketing support, mentoring, specialised print sourcing, strategic development etc... The BAPC holds regular meetings, business breakfasts, and of course, we visit as many members as possible to offer help and ascertain what is actually happening at the sharp end of the industry.
What advantages and benefits companies get when they become members of your association?
Membership of the BAPC is like having a Swiss Army knife. It can do many useful things, with every one providing additional support and functionality. Over the years, the BAPC has built up a huge bank of knowledge and a network of professional contact who are made available for members.
UK printing industry utilises around 116,000 employees in about 8,400 companies and 75 % of these companies employ less than 10 people. Do your members fit that profile?
The majority of BAPC member companies are of a modest size.
What is your estimation of future trends? Will the UK market consist of more small businesses or more large print companies?
In common with other industry, the print sector has many challenges. Industry, in general, is changing, and the sector has to change with it. While we cannot accurately predict those changes, print businesses must be in a position to react quickly and take advantage of any opportunities.
The number of print companies in UK is decreasing. Do you think that the number will keep decreasing or you believe some things will change?
In my opinion, the number of small production houses will reduce but there may well be an increase in service operations. Using trade facilities to satisfy customer needs and offering a wider range of beneficial services.
Consequently, the number of the employees in print industry in Europe keeps on getting lower and lower. How is UK handling that problem?
The fall in the UK’s unemployment figures is a sign that this situation is being managed. There are a variety of re-training and apprenticeship schemes all designed to help people to enter the workplace.
One of the most significant trends happening in UK right now are start-ups. Do you think it positively affects print market in UK?
There are certainly a number of schemes in the UK encouraging start-ups. However, the cost of establishing a print business is relatively high. The cost of premises, equipment,.. does deter the entrepreneur. However, a number of new businesses have been set up as specialists in one field or another and this widens the opportunity for companies within the sector. Today one can no longer be all things to all so this is certainly a positive move.
When comparing UK with Southeastern European countries, such as Croatia, what would you say are the main differences in print industry?
Every country has its own business culture and the print industry has to satisfy the needs of businesses within their communities. Comparisons are therefore difficult, but in general I believe that in the UK design and adherence to corporate identity plays a more important role than in Southeastern European countries.
How do you think the UK print market will look in five years? What will change?
The industry will continue to evolve with new technology continuing to have an impact upon the capabilities of print houses. In addition, it will change from being a manufacturing industry providing service to a service industry providing manufacturing. Outsourcing will play a greater part as will the specialisation.
Interview by: Ivana Bjelica
Outsourcing will play a greater part as will the specialisation.
As a chairman of British Association for Print and Communication - BAPC, can you tell us what are the association’s mission and goals?
The print and creative industry is one of the largest commercial sectors in the UK. Yet it is made up from predominately small companies. Most of those companies do not have the financial leverage or human resources to access the level of support and expertise available to larger organisations. The need help from the industry they represent and a collective voice to maximise their business opportunities - that is where the BAPC comes in. As a collective body for everybody in our sector, the BAPC enables ideas and resources to be pooled and shared resulting in everyone having access to smarter ways of working, a wide range of support services and all kinds of stimuli to business growth.
What are association’s activities?
In addition to providing a wide range of benefits including benchmarking, business advice, equipment assessments, health & safety employment guide, marketing support, mentoring, specialised print sourcing, strategic development etc... The BAPC holds regular meetings, business breakfasts, and of course, we visit as many members as possible to offer help and ascertain what is actually happening at the sharp end of the industry.
What advantages and benefits companies get when they become members of your association?
Membership of the BAPC is like having a Swiss Army knife. It can do many useful things, with every one providing additional support and functionality. Over the years, the BAPC has built up a huge bank of knowledge and a network of professional contact who are made available for members.
UK printing industry utilises around 116,000 employees in about 8,400 companies and 75 % of these companies employ less than 10 people. Do your members fit that profile?
The majority of BAPC member companies are of a modest size.
What is your estimation of future trends? Will the UK market consist of more small businesses or more large print companies?
In common with other industry, the print sector has many challenges. Industry, in general, is changing, and the sector has to change with it. While we cannot accurately predict those changes, print businesses must be in a position to react quickly and take advantage of any opportunities.
The number of print companies in UK is decreasing. Do you think that the number will keep decreasing or you believe some things will change?
In my opinion, the number of small production houses will reduce but there may well be an increase in service operations. Using trade facilities to satisfy customer needs and offering a wider range of beneficial services.
Consequently, the number of the employees in print industry in Europe keeps on getting lower and lower. How is UK handling that problem?
The fall in the UK’s unemployment figures is a sign that this situation is being managed. There are a variety of re-training and apprenticeship schemes all designed to help people to enter the workplace.
One of the most significant trends happening in UK right now are start-ups. Do you think it positively affects print market in UK?
There are certainly a number of schemes in the UK encouraging start-ups. However, the cost of establishing a print business is relatively high. The cost of premises, equipment,.. does deter the entrepreneur. However, a number of new businesses have been set up as specialists in one field or another and this widens the opportunity for companies within the sector. Today one can no longer be all things to all so this is certainly a positive move.
When comparing UK with Southeastern European countries, such as Croatia, what would you say are the main differences in print industry?
Every country has its own business culture and the print industry has to satisfy the needs of businesses within their communities. Comparisons are therefore difficult, but in general I believe that in the UK design and adherence to corporate identity plays a more important role than in Southeastern European countries.
How do you think the UK print market will look in five years? What will change?
The industry will continue to evolve with new technology continuing to have an impact upon the capabilities of print houses. In addition, it will change from being a manufacturing industry providing service to a service industry providing manufacturing. Outsourcing will play a greater part as will the specialisation.
Interview by: Ivana Bjelica
