01732 759725 4 BULLETIN GPMA research proves print’s strategic role Earlier this year, the Graphic and Print Media Alliance (GPMA) launched a major national survey to uncover the true role that the UK’s print, paper, packaging, labelling, and graphics sectors play within the country’s industrial ecosystem. The message was clear: while often operating behind the scenes, the print industry is far from peripheral. It is a strategic enabler of productivity, compliance, innovation and economic resilience across some of the UK’s most vital manufacturing and strategic sectors. The research reveals that print businesses are intricately embedded in the UK’s industrial supply chains, serving sectors as diverse as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, consumer goods, automotive, aerospace and defence. Marketing materials remain the most supplied application (64%), closely followed by packaging and labelling (56%), technical documentation, safety signage, and increasingly – functional print solutions like printed electronics and anti‑counterfeit technologies. More than half of all respondents stated that their print solutions were ‘extremely critical’ to the sectors they serve – with a further 38% describing them as ‘very important’, often underpinning compliance, branding, and traceability functions. This aligns with a broader finding: many manufacturers simply could not operate without the products and services supplied by the print industry. www.gpma.org.uk AI saves Brits 5+ hours per week at work AI is delivering real impact for British workers and businesses alike. According to surveys commissioned by HP and carried out by YouGov, 72% of employees surveyed who are using AI say it saves them time each week, with one in ten saving more than five hours. For many, this means spending less time on repetitive tasks and more time on higher‑value work. One in three business leaders whose organisations use AI report that it has already delivered more than 11% in cost savings, while almost half say it helps reduce time spent on admin tasks, and 34% say it has improved decision making and strategic planning. Despite these early wins, not all businesses are keeping pace. While 44% of senior decision-makers surveyed expect AI to be fully embedded by 2027, over a quarter admit their business currently has no formal AI strategy in place. Common barriers include concerns over data security, a lack of internal expertise, and difficulty proving return on investment. “AI is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a business imperative,” said Neil Sawyer, HP’s Managing Director for Northwest Europe. “Companies that fail to act now risk falling behind their competitors, losing productivity, and missing out on the efficiency gains AI is already delivering. By embedding AI directly into secure, familiar devices, organisations can overcome trust and usability challenges – and scale adoption with confidence.” www.hp.com Cyber leading cause of downtime and data loss Organisations across the UK are under more pressure than ever to adapt and respond to growing IT and cyber threats, according to the newly published Databarracks Data Health Check. Now in its 18th year, the Data Health Check surveys 500 IT professionals across a range of industries. This year’s report reveals that while overall preparedness is improving, organisations face a rapidly evolving landscape – particularly when it comes to cyber threats and AI risks. Key findings include: For the third year running, cyber is the leading cause of downtime and data loss: 71% of organisations experienced a cyberattack in the past year. Testing has become the gold standard: 9 in 10 organisations tested elements of their recovery capabilities in the last 12 months, up significantly from previous years. AI threats top the agenda: AI-driven cyberattacks, including deepfakes, are seen as the biggest IT resilience challenge over the next five years. Ransomware recoveries improve: Just 17% of organisations paid the ransom following a ransomware attack, with most recovering from backups. www.databarracks.com The IPIA asks print to look beyond the margin The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) set out to tackle a critical issue for the print industry at its Annual Conference which was held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry on August 28 – how to achieve business growth, seize opportunity and overcome an array of market challenges. Alasdair Browne, Chair of the IPIA, said: “This year’s theme reflects a pressing need for our industry to look past the immediate pressures of day to day operation, fighting to protect profit margins on existing work, and consider where future growth will come from. The conference brings together in-depth research, practical case studies and expert perspectives to help print businesses navigate those wider opportunities.” This year’s conference included a packed programme of expert talks and debates that reflect the theme of venturing ‘beyond the margin’. Delegates heard from leaders across the print, mail, finance, economics and sustainability sectors – each sharing business intelligence and analysis that reveal routes to adaptation and commercial success. www.ipia.org.uk BULLETIN
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