Pittsburgh, Pa. – The 2017 Printing Industries of America Dynamic Ratios survey results are in and the findings indicate a modest rise in printing industry profitability. On average, the typical printing firm’s profit as a percent of sales increased from 2.66 percent the previous year to 2.92 percent. In contrast, industry profit leaders—printers in the top 25 percent of profitability—saw their profit rates on sales dip to 8.8 percent. Profit challengers—printers in the lower 75 percent of profitability—experienced profit gains.

Over the entire period from 2005 to 2015, printers participating in the Ratios averaged around 2 percent profit on sales. Of course, the Great Recession pulled the average down significantly, but since the recovery the average has bounced back to longer term trends. Profit challengers (printers in the bottom 75 percent of profitability) actually lost money in the recession-impacted years from 2007-2012. However, their profit rate of .7 percent this past year was the highest ever over the last 13 years.

Printing Industries of America’s Dynamic Ratios program is the premier financial benchmarking system for the printing industry. For over 90 years printers and industry suppliers have used the Dynamic Ratios to track industry financial performance and to benchmark their operations. The full series of Dynamic Ratios volumes covering various industry market sectors and processes are now available in the Printing Industries of America Bookstore.

Next year, the Dynamic Ratios are being redesigned. The new program will simplify the data gathering process to make it easier to participate in as survey respondents, focus on key performance metrics and significant metrics, plus provide more report options.

For more information about Dynamic Ratios please contact Dr. Ron Davis, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at 434-591-0527 or [email protected].