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Paramus, NJ - 5/28/2009 - The recession is far from over, but for the first time NAPL’s economists are seeing some glimmers that we may be finally reaching the bottom.  Forward looking indicators tracked by NAPL’s Printing Economics Research Center (PERC) show that key industry indicators are showing signs of stabilizing.  

For the first time since September 2007, reports of rising activity have increased and reports of declining activity have decreased.  Over 21.0% of the NAPL Printing Business Panel report business improved in April, up significantly from 9.1% in March and 10.5% in January.  Although 49.2% report business slowed, this is down significantly from 74.3% one month earlier and 75.6% three months earlier.  

Moreover, 45.4% of the NAPL Panel report seeing at least minor encouraging signs last month, double the 21.4% in March. Reports of encouraging signs increased significantly in every region, more than doubling in the West and Midwest and nearly doubling in the South and East.  

Those are among the findings of the NAPL Printing Business Conditions being issued later this week. The report, along with all other reports in the NAPL State of the Industry Series, is sponsored by Heidelberg and made available to all NAPL corporate members and above.  

“None of this means the recession is over. In fact, it doesn’t even mean the worst is over—this could be a false bottom,” according to Andrew D. Paparozzi, NAPL chief economist. “But the April numbers are the first signs that the freefall our industry has been in since last October is slowing. And that is the first step toward recovery.”  

The question, as emphasized in the NAPL State of the Industry Strategic Perspective 2009, is:  Who’s going to participate in that recovery?” The report discusses several ways to prepare for a recovery that will leave the unprepared behind. Strategic Perspective is being released in late June, but can be pre-ordered on the NAPL web site at www.napl.org.  It uncovers who really is a leader in our industry, why some past leaders have lost their competitive edge, and ten strategic steps leaders are taking to ensure future success. It concludes with seven lessons that will be worth remembering long after the recession is behind us.  

For information on Printing Business Conditions, Strategic Perspective, or upgrading to a membership that provides timely delivery of all pertinent State of the Industry reports, contact NAPL Member Services at (201) 523-6311, or memberservices@napl.org.  

About NAPL: Chartered in 1933, NAPL, the National Association for Printing Leadership, is a not-for-profit business management association representing companies in the $120 billion graphic communications industry. NAPL’s comprehensive slate of business-building solutions provides company leaders with the management tools they need to make informed business decisions in an ever-changing market environment. The association also handles the administration of NAQP, the National Association of Quick Printers, which specializes in the unique concerns of small Printers nationwide, and the industry’s Research and Engineering Council, which is dedicated to manufacturing technology and productivity improvement issues. For more information on NAPL or its affiliated associations, visit www.napl.org or call (800) 642-6275.

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