Several straight quarters of positive signals have finally blossomed, and Semper’s First Quarter data reveals that the industry is back in bloom. Coming into 2015, its company respondents reported record-setting profitability of 85 percent and sustained sales growth for five straight quarters. In addition, one-third of firms reported new sales growth in the first two weeks of 2015.
Semper International, in a recent survey, found evidence of a revitalized printing marketplace, with a true business surge in nearly every category it measured in the third quarter—including the highest percentage of companies reporting profit in years.
BOSTON—The latest survey by Semper International, a placement firm for skilled help in the graphic arts industry, indicates a large percentage of printers experienced profits and positive revenue growth in spite of the impact of bad weather and continued economic malaise.
Some of the key findings presented in Semper International's newly, revamped industry insight survey reveal that current revenues remain relatively low, although firms are beginning to report positive revenue growth; despite a hiccup, firms remain bullish on sales growth; and while still troubling, the overall economy is marginalizing as a threat.
More than 300 small, medium and large printing companies participated in Semper International's latest printing industry report. The survey indicated a positive outlook and improved sales—71 percent of companies surveyed reported a profitable Q4—no change from the previous quarter.
Semper International has donated $5,000 to the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF). Along with the check, PGSF also received a Letter of Commitment from Brian Regan to establish and fully endow a $25,000 scholarship in the company’s name.
Semper International's Industry Insight survey has seen a sharp decrease in profitability compared to last quarter. “We've never seen such a large contraction in profitability from one quarter to the next,” said Dave Regan, CEO of Semper International. “Combined with stagnating sales over the last two weeks, it's very troubling.”
“This year, sales were slow through mid-August. Sales didn’t pick up until the Fed announced its third round of quantitative easing in mid-September,” reports Dave Regan, Semper International CEO. Seventy-two percent of companies surveyed reported a profitable third quarter.
Responses to Semper International’s most recent “Industry Insight” survey show a negative outlook for the printing industry and indecision about hiring plans, with 46 percent of companies expecting sales to increase through the remainder of third quarter, while 40 percent expect sales to stay the same.
In its latest quarterly market survey, Semper International found that industry sales foundered during late February and March. They bounced back in April, creating optimism about revenues in the coming months—53 percent of companies expect sales to improve in the second quarter of 2012.
