Peter Reiter in conversation with Grafische-Palette
Graphic palette
What strategic considerations would you recommend to print shops?
Peter Reiter
In order to remain marketable in these special times, it is important to adapt quickly to new circumstances. The time to rethink your business model and, if necessary, adapt your infrastructure is now a good investment. Networks with other print service providers also offer opportunities here. As a company, you should ask yourself the question: What do other print service providers do better or differently? Is it possible to offer additional or completely new business areas or services, for example in the label or packaging sector? It is important to focus on your own strengths and build on them.
Graphic palette
How do you assess the current investment behavior of print shops in general?
Reiter
Many small and medium-sized print shops are no better off economically than companies in other sectors. Medium-sized print shops in particular should actually be investing in new technologies, as many machines are no longer state of the art. However, the willingness to invest is currently rather restrained or not possible. The big problem is that the capital base has become too thin for many and that the pressure to invest is increasing exponentially for the reasons mentioned above.
Graphic range
In addition to pure sales, advisory aspects are increasingly coming to the fore. How do you take your customers by the hand in this context?
Reiter
Selling alone has long since ceased to be effective. More than ever, customers expect detailed advice. It's not always just about the technology of a new printing press. Succession planning and the search for suitable personnel, for example, are also playing an increasingly important role. When it comes to a new investment, a suitable successor to take over the business in a few years' time is of fundamental importance. Here too, a functioning network of other print service providers can be very helpful.
Graphic palette
What business and technological requirements do you want to tackle together with your customers?
Reiter
Together with our customers, we analyze the order structure and check where additional savings potential is available. This not only includes a profitability calculation for a new printing press. We also identify specific ways of generating additional jobs when switching to a larger RMGT offset press. Here we are looking at the new RMGT 970, which meets both the economic and technological requirements.
Graphical palette
Automation is one of the buzzwords that is often mentioned. What potential do you see for this in terms of process optimization?
Reiter
If used correctly, automation can help to make processes more efficient and reliable. A high level of automation and the networking of machines is therefore a prerequisite for process optimization. This is the only way to analyze workflows, identify weak points and optimize them with the right workflow. The potential is therefore very high.
Graphische Palette
Keyword Print Industry 4.0: What relevance does this topic have for a medium-sized print shop?
Reiter
The printing industry has been undergoing structural change for years, which is being exacerbated by digitalization. Of course, there are some in the printing industry for whom Print Industry 4.0 - Digital Transformation - is already relevant today. However, from today's perspective, I would probably say no to whether this applies to the majority of medium-sized print shops. The future will show which path is the right one.
Graphic palette
In your opinion, what are the most important trends and challenges in the industry and what does this mean for your developments in the future?
Reiter
We continue to see great potential in packaging. Of course, this also includes the label sector, flexible packaging and the topic of finishing. Numerous trends are already having a major impact on the requirements of print shops. However, we are certain that we will see further technology-driven changes in our industry over the next few years.
Graphic palette
What should print shops do now to emerge stronger from the crisis?
Reiter
It sounds paradoxical, but companies should use the crisis right now to position themselves better for the future. This means investing in modern machinery and in an anti-cyclical manner. The current economic policy of the federal and state governments supports this with attractive subsidy programs and favorable interest rates.
Graphic Palette
Where do you see the greatest potential for a successful future in the printing industry?
Reiter
Speed and reliability combined with cost-effective production are the cornerstones in the manufacture and processing of print products. You could sum it up like this. In addition to "automation" and "individualization", print shops today must also consider the issue of "sustainability". Environmental protection is one of the driving issues and the demand for sustainable products will become increasingly important in the future.
