NEW YORK -- October 21, 2004 -- TrendWatch Graphic Arts today announced the results of their most recent report, "The Digital Bindery: Still Gathering a Full Head of Steam." According to the report, digital printers have become the most likely purchasers of bindery and finishing equipment, with 45% declaring plans to purchase in the next 12 months, compared with only 32% of commercial printers. Digital printers were more likely to purchase in 4 out of 5 major equipment categories, including a 6% advantage in the purchasing of stitchers. TWGA reports are available for online purchase at the TWGA eStore in PDF format (http://www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com). Researcher's Comments... "There is a high level of interest among plants operating digital equipment in acquiring greater postpress capacity," notes the TWGA Analyst Report. "Anticipated benefits include reduction in labor expense, liability and privacy protection, reduced waste, improved turnaround, and better quality and quantity control. These numbers suggest a hospitable market climate for vendors of binding and finishing equipment, especially those that can demonstrate a practical connection between bindery automation/integration and more profitable operation via computer-integrated manufacturing or CIM. In terms of connectivity with the rest of the shop, the bindery is still something of a laggard. Currently, the number of respondents who have incorporated CIM into their business and production plans is very low (less than 10%), with 14% concluding that CIM is either not relevant to their business or that they don't yet understand the benefits of CIM. From the standpoint of the bindery, this is consistent with the mechanical/electronic disconnect that traditionally has characterized the bindery's relationship with the rest of the shop." According to the Report... -- DIGITAL PRINTERS' BUSINESS CHALLENGES: 41% of digital printers named "making profitable use of technologies we have already invested in" as the top business challenge, followed by 37% stating "optimizing our production workflow" and 31% citing "keeping up with technological change"; -- POST PRESS BUYERS' BUSINESS CHALLENGES: For buyers, their largest concerns besides "optimizing workflow" (60%) are "keeping up with technological change" (41%), "increasing plant productivity" (38%) and "making profitable use of technologies we've already invested in" (30%); -- DIGITAL PRINTERS' SALES OPPORTUNITY: 52% of digital printers cite "helping customers integrate new technologies" as a top sales opportunity. -- POST PRESS BUYERS' SALES OPPORTUNITY: 48% of buyers of bindery and finishing equipment cite "helping customers integrate new technologies" as a top sales opportunity. Availability... The TrendWatch Graphic Arts "The Digital Bindery: Still Gathering a Full Head of Steam" report is available for purchase by visiting the secure TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore online at www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com or by phone at 866-873-6310. The price for the 105-page report is $995. TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore customers can download this report in PDF Acrobat format immediately after purchase.