In December, at the 2010 PRIMIR Winter Meeting in Boca Raton, Florida, PRIMIR funded a new research study entitled "Evolution of General Commercial Printing:  Implications for the Future."
 
The research will be conducted by three well-respected industry consultants:  Market-Intell LLC, Favus and Associates, and State Street Consultants, Inc.  Jack Miller, Principal Consultant, Market-Intell commented, "We're excited to be part of this important study, and delighted to be working with PRIMIR. We all know that the world of print faces challenges and is evolving, but we'll be digging deeper to provide information and insight of value to the entire supply chain. We've got a great team, and we've also assembled a panel of advisors from print, media, software and related fields who will provide expert insight and serve as a Delphi panel."
 
The study will evaluate changes in the industry over the past ten years and provide a blueprint for the evolution of the print business through the next five years.  Among other things, the study will investigate number and types of firms, firm sizes, industry structure, mergers and acquisitions activity, capacity utilization, technology adoption and workflow and business models as they relate to the various applications markets.  The study will also delve into outside influences such as the Internet, social media, and digital/new media that impact the graphic communications industry.
 
When completed in late 2011, the study will provide an understanding of how the industry has evolved and the drivers for changes in the overall size and structure.  More importantly, the study will provide insights into what the industry will look like in the next five years and examine the various drivers of permanent change impacting the nature and structure of the printing industry.