Global Printer & Copier Industry
The world printing machinery and supplies industry is expected to exceed $21 billion by 2015, according to Global Industry Analysts. The market is driven by demand for digital color presses, specialty printers and inkjet printers. The changing landscape of technology also fuels the printing machinery and supplies industry, with new products, innovation and dynamic media giving the market a significant boost.
The printing market has grown alongside expansion in the PC market, with many computer owners also owning printers. Demand for inkjet printers and PC-free printers, which take flash memory cards used in digital cameras, continues to rise. The printing industry has seen the pace of progress pick up due to digital technology. Digitalization has made printing more efficient and facilitates workflow as digital printing minimizes plate setting and press down time, which in turn reduces costs in terms of batch changeover and set-up.
The printing market is highly competitive, with companies required to speed up production and offer consumers personalized printing solutions. The photocopying market has benefited from economic growth and the widespread adoption of in-house photocopying by business offices. Digital photocopiers are a particularly strong growth segment within the photocopying industry.
Regional Markets
- The US photocopier market is expected to surpass 1.5 million units in volume by 2015, according to Global Industry Analysts. The market is fuelled by digital technologies and falling prices, and is evolving due to the trend toward centralizing all faxing, copying, scanning and printing needs through one device. Companies continue to develop more compact, faster photocopiers and color printers, allowing businesses to carry out a lot of work in-house, which was traditionally outsourced. Such tasks include producing pamphlets and brochures. Monochrome copiers represent the leading market segment in the US.
- Key Note estimates the UK document imaging equipment market was worth $3.5 billion in 2014. The market recorded yearly growth of almost 13.5% between 2005 and 2010, impeded toward the end of the period by the economic recession. Products encompassed in this market include multi-function machines, printers, copiers, scanners and fax-based machines. Multifunction peripheral demand continues to rise due to the need to combine several functions in one machine. Demand for flatbed scanners and printers has consequently declined, and demand for fax-based machines and fax machines is also falling, likely to be gradually replaced by internet communications and email. The UK document imaging equipment market is expected to record yearly growth of almost 13% between 2011 and 2015. Market expansion will be fuelled by higher sales as offices replace outmoded machines.
Industry Leaders
- Major companies operating in the global photocopier industry include Hewlett-Packard, Xerox, Canon, Toshiba America Business Solutions, Brother International and Lanier.
- Leading players in the printing industry include Goss International, Manroland, Agfa Graphics, Precision Technology, Xerox, WIFAG, Ryobi, Illinois Tool Works, Komori, Hewlett-Packard, Dover, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, Media and Company, Markem-Imaje, Koenig & Bauer, Graphics Microsystems and Müller Martini Printing Press.
Market Outlook
Due to the economic recession, businesses have been cutting costs to better brave a more hostile business environment. Cost-cutting measures that impact the global printer and copier industry include leasing machinery rather than purchasing, and opting for black and white photocopying rather than color photocopying. Companies are also encouraging employees to avoid printing and copying wherever possible to reduce costs in terms of paper, energy and wear and tear on office machinery.
Opting for email and internet communications over paper copy is one cost-cutting strategy put in place to get employees into the habit of sharing and consulting documents on-screen rather than printing out a hard copy. Though the color printer market segment may see a decline due to cost reducing measures, the machine rental and black and white printer market segments will likely benefit from such business strategies.
Leading Industry Associations
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