Who Acts Wins: How Print Companies Can Achieve Sustainable Success
Those who fail to act will be overtaken by those who do. The print and packaging industry is undergoing profound transformation. Yet, many companies still struggle to adapt their business models to new realities.We spoke with decision-makers across the industry and identified the five most pressing challenges that are holding back sustainable growth. Talent Shortage: […]
Modern Sales: Structured, Strategic, and Transparent
Modern sales is clearly structured, strategically oriented, and transparently represented.Like any other profession, sales is defined by the context of its time. There were eras in which modern customer acquisition required an entire team of field representatives visiting clients in person, covering countless kilometers along the way. From that period also stems the idea of […]
What is the future of the German packaging industry? Myths and assumptions offer no reliable basis!
With the growing emphasis on sustainability, the packaging industry is coming under increasing scrutiny. Regulatory requirements — mandating recyclable packaging, the use of recycled content, or ideally the minimization of packaging altogether — are presenting multiple challenges to the sector. Ideally, no more plastic packaging, everything made of paper, and significantly less packaging overall — […]
Digitalization Without Strategy? An Expensive Dead End for Printing Companies!
Digitalization has long reached the printing industry. Whether it’s automating production processes, implementing web-to-print portals, intelligent warehouse logistics, or AI-driven data analytics, many companies are already making significant investments. While state-of-the-art machines and software solutions are being introduced, however, many businesses are missing the key element: a clear digital strategy. And this is where the […]
Client vs. Customer: A Subtle but Important Difference!
In our daily lives, we often encounter the terms “customer” and “client,” and we typically use them interchangeably. However, there is a significant difference between the two, which plays a crucial role, especially in consulting. While a customer has a more transactional relationship with a company or brand, a client often involves a long-term, trust-based, […]
There’s No Wrong Time to Exchange Ideas with Industry Experts
Anyone reading our current forecast for the development of the printing industry in 2025 will quickly understand: 2025 will not be the year of economic recovery (Click here for the white paper). It’s a time to consolidate resources – perhaps even tighten the belt. Definitely no time for strategy consultants, you might think. We see […]
When the Bank Suddenly Cuts the Overdraft Line
In recent months, Apenberg & Partner has observed a growing trend: More and more corporate clients are having their overdraft lines terminated by their banks. This move has far-reaching consequences for many companies, particularly in economically challenging times. Background of the Development Banks are legally required to hedge both balance sheet and market risks proportionally […]
„Operational Excellence“ secures the future of commercial printers
In no segment of the German printing industry is the competitive pressure felt as much as in commercial printing. Since 2015, sales of the most important product groups in the commercial sector have declined by 3.8 per cent annually, while the number of businesses has “only” decreased by 2.6 per cent. Moreover, no business sector […]
Transformation Concept Integrated Print Factory (IPF)
The past has shown it time and again. Veritable industry crises are not only catastrophes for the printing industry, but also always spurs for extraordinary innovations. When the internet presumed to substitute digital solutions for everything printed, printers invented online printers. In less than 20 years, this species of company has managed to generate 15 […]
Myth of Riga
For some time now, Latvia, and Riga in particular, has been repeatedly cited as an explanation when it comes to publishers demanding lower and lower prices for the production of their books or printers losing lucrative orders. Apenberg & Partner has taken up this issue and undertaken research on Latvian book production and its export, […]
Updated “Corona forecast for the printing industry”: development of GDP and insolvencies
In August 2020 Apenberg & Partner issued the “Corona forecast for the printing industry”. We update this forecast with ACTUAL data from 2020, ACTUAL data from Q1 2021 and an adjusted outlook for the current year 2021. Almost one year later, it can be seen that the course has not been exactly as forecast. Nevertheless, […]
Opportunities of digitalisation in packaging printing – a stocktaking
Digital packaging printing is becoming a decisive factor in the marketing and production workflow. For a successful business, however, not only internal but also external know-how is required. Digital printing entered Gutenberg’s world more than 20 years ago. Because of the diversity in terms of material, application and customer requirements, this happened later in the […]