U.S. Commercial Printing Industry Profits Decline 10 Percent

WhatTheyThink, Lexington, Ky., an online media organization serving the printing and publishing industry, announced the availability of its most recent economic report “Printing Shipments and Profits,” authored by Dr. Joe Webb, director of WhatTheyThink’s Economics and Research Center.

“Printing profits for the last four quarters, Q4-2006 to Q3-2007, were $4.06 billion on an inflation-adjusted basis,” said Webb. “This was a disappointing performance, and includes the effects of a significant downward revision of previously profits data by the U.S. Department of Commerce.” Webb also stated that “our exclusive forecasting models now indicate profit levels will remain under serious pressure because of lackluster sales levels, higher operating costs, changes in demand levels and competition from digital alternatives.”

Webb went on to say that economic and market forces for consolidation and downsizing are stronger now than in any recent period.

The report contains significant and proprietary analysis by Webb and WhatTheyThink’s Economics and Research Center based on data compiled by the U.S. Commerce Department and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It includes all segments in NAICS 323 for commercial printing and trade services, such as commercial offset, digital and other printing processes, as well as prepress and postpress.

The report is available for immediate purchase and download, and includes Adobe PDF, Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint files, as well as an MP3 file with audio commentary from Webb. Those purchasing the report can easily repurpose the charts and data for internal and client presentations and reports.

The cost of the report is $50.00, and it can be purchased online at http://wttstore.com/prpr.html.