Some Signs of Improvement After a Challenging Year
For the vast majority of leading global ink manufacturers, the past fiscal year was difficult. A quick look at our annual Top International Ink Companies Report shows that most of the top 15 global ink companies faced declining sales, as the global recession and the changing nature of the printing industry impacted the industry.
However, in reading this year’s report, there is also good news as well, beginning with the improving economy. In talking with leading ink industry executives, they noted that the second half of the year was a noticeable improvement, although nowhere near the sales level of a few years ago.
A number of leading companies also noted that theyimproved their profitability despite declining sales and higher raw material prices. Essentially, ink manufacturers have prepared as best they could for the downturn.
Another area of interest is the growth of some key technologies. Companies that focus most of their efforts on packaging, digital and energy curing technologies generally saw their sales hold up better than companies with a large position in the publication and commercial ink market.
The past few years have been challenging ones for the ink industry, and hopefully these recent improvements are a signal that better times are ahead.
The Top International Ink Companies(Ink and Graphic Arts Sales)
DIC/Sun Chemical $5.44B
Flint Group$2.90B
Toyo Ink $1.31B
Sakata INX $1.17B
Siegwerk Group$1.08B
Huber Group $917M
Tokyo Printing Ink $543M
SICPA$400M*
Fujifilm Sericol International $350M*
T&K Toka $336M
Dainichiseika Color $200M*
Epple Druckfarben$150M
Wikoff Color$150M*
Royal Dutch Van Son$145M*
Sanchez SA de CV$114M
* Ink World estimate
via Ink World – The Most Widely Read Ink Magazine in the World.
