Paper Converting is the process of taking raw paper, made at paper mills to create finished products such as books or magazines. The term “Paper Converting” comes from the process of taking a paper and converting it into another product. Paper Conversion is one section in Print Business that is inevitable while its importance cannot be overstated because as long as books and other paper converted products are in existence, the business will always thrive.
SEASON AND COST OF PAPER
Book Production in Nigeria has its own season like all other seasonal businesses. The season ranges from the middle of a year till the start of a new one. The price of producing books in recent months has skyrocketed due to the dwindling fortunes of the Naira against major international currencies especially the United States of American Dollar and this has made some stakeholders in the business skeptical about the projected profit and growth of paper converting business.
WHAT STAKEHOLDERS SAY
In a Special Investigation by WHERE To Print Intelligence Unit, it was gathered that veterans and forward-looking players in the sector are very optimistic about the positive outlook of the industry against the backdrop of a new season coming in. “We are hopeful of the new season; yes – it won’t be easy but we hope the new season can help overturn the dull activities of previous months. We understand the market and we will ensure we take advantage of numerous business opportunities of this season with our members”, expresses Mr. Segun Okanlawon, MD of STB Global Industry who doubles as the Chairman of Small Scale Paper Converters Association of Nigeria (SCPCAN).
In the same vein, Mr. Mustapha Mathew, Manager at Easy Life Paper Stores hoped that as the season fast approaches, paper converters and paper stores owners should strategise to take advantage of the season. He however summarized that, “though the increase in the cost of foreign exchange (FOREX) has affected the paper industry where most paper importers opt to the black market, the implication is only short-term. That is why players need to devise long-term solutions like renegotiation of contracts, acquisition of modern storage facility, and innovations in what they do. For instance, two years ago – a particular type of paper was sold for N6500 but now it’s N13000. Hopefully things will change this season but we need to be prayerful too”.
