The tough market in which web offset printers operate and the challenges they face were highlighted by speakers at this weeks ninth Pira Web Offset conference.


Cooper Clegg managing director Ian Cooper joked that investment in printing needed a public health warning due to the risks involved.


"There are some printers doing badly and some doing well, and the ones doing well are liars," he added.


But Southernprint managing director Chris Smith who talked about the firms Partnership for Change with the GPMU and its investment in CTP, pressroom and bindery kit said it needed to invest "to have the ability to sustain profitability."


"It was a recognition that the customer would no longer pay for inefficiency coming from outdated technology and working practices, and inbred management and staff. We came to the conclusion that we must change or die."


Retiring IPC group manufacturing director Peter Barber bowed out by warning that the UK web offset sector "could be faced with problems similar to those that almost destroyed the gravure industry 15 years ago".


"It wasnt the printing process that killed off Bemrose, Sun Printers and Oldhams or the trade unions," he said.


"The future of the web offset industry is totally dependent upon the consumer magazine industry that has its own health
problems."


The last word, however, must go to Cooper, who concluded his speech with his 10 Commandments for print. According to Cooper, "there is no other God except the customer". He went on to instruct his audience to remember the Sabbath: "But if the customer demands it thou shalt work every day up to a maximum of eight, at all times within the Working Time Directive."


Story by Gordon Carson