Even after what some observers counted as one of the worst business year, investigations by WHERE To Print reveals that Year 2016 still recorded major milestones especially in the macro-economic aspects of the nation’s economy which has seen an increase in business activities in the agricultural sector, stability in the energy sector and strict regulations in government finances and spending which has seen to the implementation of single treasury account resulting in saved funds by the government. However, Nigerians albeit print business stakeholders are still unperturbed about these recorded successes and desire an impactful 2017 Business Year that will return to earnings growth and to see other benefits especially from cut taxes and ease of business regulations. They confessed a better and prosperous 2017.
That is why WHERE To Print went to town and garnered print business stakeholders opinions on business outlook for 2017 – specifically we posed the question:
HOW HAS THE PRINT BUSINESS FAIRED IN 2016 AND WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR 2017? Their thoughts are summarised below on what the economy holds for businesses in 2017. Excerpts:
MR VICTOR EKEOBA (CEO – MC JJEVI CONCEPTS LIMITED).
2016 was not a very good business year. Our operations were not encouraging but we still thank God for everything. The Government is beginning to give out work to contractors which I believe we (Printers) will benefit from because at a point; printing will always be needed. With relative stability in governance and the polity, I believe and I am expecting a better 2017.
MR ADEYINKA (CEO – HEYGATE PRESS LTD).
Actually 2016 was very much challenging and most times it does fall on cost issues. There was a little reduction in the volume of print we did, although we just moved into our new office where we intend showcasing new print ideas in addition to what we have been doing. For us, we are expecting nothing else but a better 2017.
ADEGBENGA (GRAPHICS ARTIST AT MOUTHSYTE NIGERIA VENTURES)
Wow!! Well print business is a business that brings in lots of money. As for we in Mouthsyte I can say God has been faithful even with the rise in cost of print materials we are still in business. The paper grammage we normally buy at a relatively normal rate with right specification has now gone up in price and vice-versa, the specification is not what is expected. For example, 300 paper grammage is now 250 in specification and price. But with all these challenges, I can say we are making it and I am grateful for that. I pray 2017 Business Year will be a prosperous one where all the hardship of 2016 will not surface.
MRS CHRISTIANA EKAT OBETEN (MD – CREATIVE SOLUTIONS)
2016 has not been the best Business Year but we still thank God because some print practitioners were actually out of business. Print consumables price increase affected a lot of business our operations costs even as small as souvenirs to customers. Don’t forget that everybody was trying to cut-cost which affected profit. However, we are expecting a better and fruitful 2017 as we plan to serve our customers better as without them we won’t be in business.
YEMI ADEYEMO (PUBLISHER – HOME OF TREASURE COMICS)
I am a printer/publisher although am not very old in the print business as I started not too long ago. For a publishing company, it’s been tough. What we used to buy N2700 before is now N9600 and we can’t compare book to essential commodity like food and that’s why I had to diversify and focus on commercial printing instead of printing four/five books. So far so good we are managing; even with the skyrocket price of print ink which we normally buy for N800 to N1100 is now hovering around N1950 to N2000 and N2500.
What I’m also expecting is quite different from what I want. I want the foreign exchange rates to reduce because if the rate is still on the increase; most publishers will run out of business and maybe switch to other professions. Innovation is another factor that is affecting the publishing business. Most schools are now getting tablets for their students instead of printed textbook. If you happen to produce too expensive hardcopy textbooks most of them won’t buy and there is no way it won’t be expensive if the price of Dollar does not reduce with negative effect on printing thereby resulting in the end of printed textbooks – if care is not taken.
ADEMOLA OLAWALE (OPERATIONS MANAGER – CITY PALACE VENTURES)
Well I must say the business has been on a low side due to the country economic recession but we thank God that a number of printing jobs are going around and we are getting our sales which we expect to continue in this new Business Year.
As for my expectation – and as an optimistic person, I believe things will be better and the Nigerian economy will rise again. We – printers – are playing significant role in the branding of products that increases business activities in the economy. I believe this New Year will be a better one and will usher in a lot of benefits both to the printers and the economy in general.
CHRIS (GRAPHIC ARTIST – BENOLLIN SERVICES)
Business is nothing to write home about in 2016. The cost of print materials is very high and this resulted in low sales and patronage from customers. Due to the high cost of printing, some customers threatened to leave, but those who understand still do business with us. I believe this Year 2017 will be a better one.
MR VINCENT (KGV VENTURES)
Our good print and on-time delivery speaks for us even in 2016 but at times our customers complained of our charges which were as a result of increment in print materials and consumables.
In 2017 I am expecting a better Nigeria with stable power supply which I think will help our sales instead of the consumption of two kegs of diesel we burn every day to make sure we deliver to our customers on time. I’m also expecting price of print consumables to come down to a considerable rate in naira instead of the high rate it is now. This will further boost print business in 2017.
