New year predictions: Malcolm Lane-Ley, Anton Group

As chief executive of the print industry’s largest Employee Ownership Trust, it’s hardly surprising that Malcolm Lane-Ley is looking forward to some splendid isolation at the wheel of his track day car.

What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?

Getting my track-day car back from the engine builders in time for the holidays. [It’s a Quantum Xtreme if you were wondering.]

What trend (business or technology) do you think 2015 will be remembered for?

The growth in high-quality, full-colour digital print volumes.

What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in 2016 and why?

Diversification. Customer’s need easier lives and fewer suppliers.

What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in 2016 and why?

Not finding time to deliver change quick enough.

What’s the one thing that the industry should do more of, or do better, in 2016?

Get closer to customers; learn about their strategies and problems, then tell them what you can do for them.  

What was your biggest disappointment in 2015?

Not managing to cash in my Howard Smith Paper Group pension before PaperlinX failed!

What was your highlight of 2015?

I don’t know yet, there’s still a week to go!

What are your hopes for 2016?

That the much talked of resurgence in direct mail and physical communications comes to fruition and we can base more of our business discussions around ROI.

What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Be yourself.

What if anything what will you do differently in 2016?

Accelerate our efforts in diversification to enhance Anton’s customer attractiveness.

If you’re thinking of going to Drupa next year, what are you keen to see?

If the state of readiness and commercial reality of continuous-feed inkjet has now reached a level that is suitable for the DM market.

What’s your favourite Christmas cracker joke?

Q: What do you call a Chinese man who can eat with 1 chopstick?
A: Foo-king Clever.

What was the best Christmas present you ever received?

The birth of my son.

Are you making any New Year's resolutions? If so, what?

To look after myself better.