"New and Emerging Business Models of Newspaper Printing Companies," released today during the WAN-IFRA World Publishing Expo, is a must-read for publishers and newspaper printers seeking advice from colleagues who are developing sustainable new ways of print production, says WAN-IFRA.
"This process is in full swing in many countries around the globe," said Manfred Werfel, Deputy CEO and Executive Director of Global Events for WAN-IFRA. "Many different concepts and print strategies are developing and there is no single business model that fits all needs. Most probably there will never be one master plan for newspaper printers, but a variety of different solutions that fit the market requirements and capabilities of printers in different geographic regions."
For example, some printers turn their businesses into a publisher-owned profit center, others are based on joint ventures between several owners, and there remain large and independent newspaper printers in North America and in Northern Europe. There are also hybrid models. Newspaper printers are boosting productivity and extending their markets into commercial printing with the help of retrofits and new technology, new organizational concepts and new skill sets, which include the concept of providing an “Online Printing Service”.
"The new report does not intend to provide a complete overview of new and emerging models, but instead presents a number of interesting international cases that illustrate the development from different points of view," Mr Werfel said. "One intention of the project is to stimulate a discussion among the international community of newspaper printers."
The report, initiated by the Board of WAN-IFRA's World Printers Forum, is based on interviews with leaders of newspaper printing operations in North America, Europe and South Asia. They talk about their strategies for the future and evaluate their experiences of developing sustainable new ways of print production.
The report is free to WAN-IFRA members and for sale to non-members. Full details can be found here.
