Consolidation among publishers often takes the headlines, but the book manufacturing sector has undergone some notable shifts of its own over the past 10 years. A period of mergers and acquisitions has left several large companies and fewer independent printers. Additionally, new technology has created competition among digital printing and traditional offset printing. These forces have combined to create a sector that looks much different than it did a decade ago.
“The book manufacturing business has proved itself resilient despite seismic shifts in demand,” says Book Manufactures Institute executive director Matt Baehr. “Those manufacturers that remain have adapted to the changing needs of the market, and most are stronger.”
Not only are these companies stronger, having survived shifts in client needs during the pandemic and disruptions to the global supply chain, but many are also focused on convincing people that printing doesn’t have to be an environmentally unfriendly industry. Book manufacturers have made important strides in lowering the impact that printing books has on the environment, while printing companies find themselves at the forefront of keeping publishers current with shifting environmental regulations.
BMI played a leading role in informing the American printing and publishing industry about the stakes of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) debate. “Domestic suppliers have been environmentally responsible for some time, yet some initiatives for sustainability requirements are not well thought-out,” Baehr says. “BMI promotes dialogue and education about the various regulations to establish realistic standards that continue to safeguard the environment and keep printed books affordable.”
From leading the charge on environmental concerns to changing the possibilities of how, and when, publishers can get product to market, book printers and manufacturers are bringing important innovations to the industry. Read on to learn more about some of the companies leading the charge.
