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New year predictions: Mike Roberts, PMG Print Management

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PMG Print Management managing director Mike Roberts
PMG Print Management managing director Mike Roberts

PMG Print Management managing director Mike Roberts hails the industry's numerous technological advances during the 2010s but hopes it will promote itself more to the wider world in the new decade.

What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
After the fantastic year we’ve had at PMG, including winning the IPIA’s Print Management Company of the Year, I’m looking forward to some family time, a good few drinks and rest up in the Lakes at New Year.

As the decade draws to a close, what trend (business or technology) do you think the 2010s will be remembered for?
The resurgence of print – the ongoing advance of inkjet, like the Fujifilm Jet Press, and of course the advent of Nanography.

What do you think will represent the single biggest opportunity for printers in the next decade and why?
The rapid pace of technological developments that give us all great opportunities to expand our respective positions.

What do you think will represent the single biggest threat for printers in the next decade and why?
Ourselves – we have to break the age old habit of talking to ourselves as an industry, don’t get caught up in unsustainable pricing models and allowing buyers to continue to commoditise our services and products.

What’s the one thing that the industry should do more of, or do better, in the 2020s?
Our industry should promote itself to the wider world, the marketeers and brands, the consumers – help them all understand how powerful and creative our industry can be with innovation and clever thinking. Look at the EPIC initiative from the IPIA.

What was your biggest disappointment in the 2010s?
Brexit.

What was your highlight of the decade?
I got to the end of it, and PMG had its best financial performance since 2011 this year.

What are your hopes for 2020s?
Our industry, and PMG, continues to prosper. I retire…………

We can't believe we're asking this question for the third year running: what is your one-word view on Brexit?
Bored.

What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Always do the right thing.

What if anything will you do differently in the new decade?
Collaborate more.

What’s your favourite Christmas cracker joke?
What do they sing at a snowman's birthday party? Freeze a jolly good fellow.

What is the earliest Christmas present you can remember receiving as a child?
Terry's Chocolate Orange – now fabled in my family as a result I usually get about four of them.

Are you making any New Year's resolutions? If so, what?
No, I stopped making them a few years ago as I try to live every day the best that I can.

People