Alexandria, Va., June 11, 2003 — New research study addresses factors driving and impeding new press purchases. Published by the Graphic Arts Marketing Information Service (GAMIS), a special interest group of Graphic Arts Technical Foundation and Printing Industries of America, Inc., The Market for Offset Lithographic Presses reports on the installed base, capacity utilization, and market dynamics for offset lithographic presses in North America. The study, completed by TrendWatch Graphic Arts for GAMIS, noted that unfavorable economic conditions are naturally impeding press replacements except where technological obsolescence or new customers or new customer requirements are a factor. However, once the economic climate improves, the market for new presses will remain challenging. Typically presses are replaced every 10-15 years, however with the slack demand of the past year or two the usable life of a press has been increased. In addition, the number of printing establishments has been declining. This has generated a greater availability of used "like new" equipment at very competitive pricing. And for new equipment sales, the potential customer base is certainly much smaller. The concept of capacity utilization is discussed in length within the study. Capacity is what the industry is capable of producing, and the utilization is how much of that capacity is actually being taken advantage of. The research shows that since 2000, capacity utilization for sheetfed, heatset web and nonheatset web has been in a steep decline, but this is not the real problem. The forces influencing capacity utilization are in some cases the same forces that affect press replacement. Technology, existing and competing; productivity; customer requirements; and competition from other media substitutes all influence press-buying decision-makers. Looking to the future, the study offers insights into each of the printing markets. The implications, both implicit and explicit, derived from the study glean opportunities for printers and press manufacturers. "Print is far from dead" but the nature of media and computing technologies are and will continue to affect the market. The Market for Offset Lithographic Presses is one of five research studies that GAMIS will provide free to its dues-paying members this year. For information about GAMIS membership, contact Jackie Bland by phoning 703-519-8179 or by emailing [email protected]. Membership information is also available at www.gamis.org.