RESTON, VA—August 15, 2008—The Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization (PRIMIR) announces the recent launch of a number of research studies for the coming 12 months.
Trends in Books – PrintCom Consulting Group (Waxhaw, NC) was commissioned to complete research that will document technological and societal changes impacting the book publishing industry in North America. The research will cover all major segments of the book publishing industry, including trade books (adult, juvenile, mass market paperback, book clubs, mail order and religious); educational (elem-high textbooks, college textbooks and university press); and reference (professional books and subscription reference). It will also investigate personal titles, as well as non-traditional books such as e-books, audio books, and books in Braille.
The study will also investigate the effect of future technologies on book demand, education publishing models, retail distribution and re-supply models, and publishing/printing processes. Trends in Books will be published in the December/January timeframe, summarize trends and statistics through 2007, and forecast trends and projections through 2012.
Sourcing Behavior of North American Print Originators – PRIMIR contracted with Sherburne & Associates with support from Print Buyers International to conduct a study of North American print originators and their decision process for selecting a printer. The study will identify how print sourcing decisions are made today (2008), how they differ from five years ago, and project how they will be made five years hence, by examining: who (job title or function) purchases print and what they purchase, purchase lead times by application and sourcing (local, regional, global, etc.), how they decide where to source, why they choose print versus alternative media, and how the print is purchased (direct, agency, broker, etc.).
When completed, this study will help firms in the print value chain determine (among other things) where assets are needed whether it be distribution centers for equipment or supplies, printing sites, or sales executives. The study is slated for completion in the spring of 2009.