By David Callif, President of BCM INKS
As we end a most challenging decade, I prefer to focus on the future. I will attempt to peer into the mirror or the looking glass and make some predictions about the next 10 years. These predictions or prognostications are based upon my discussions with customers, consumers, suppliers, and educators and information gleamed from various articles. I look forward to your feedback. I’ll share your thoughts in my next newsletter.
My first prediction is the new decade will become known as the “Green Decade”. Our government has already placed an emphasis behind the environment. Our education system has begun to teach our children about the importance of “green”. Many major retailers and consumer products companies such as Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Procter & Gamble, Kraft Foods, Unilever, etc. have made “sustainable” products and processes a part of their operations. This tsunami will become an unstoppable force. Why?
A Kraft Foods executive in an interview published in the December 2009 Packaging World summarized why companies such as Kraft Foods have started the transformation of its business toward sustainability goals. He stated, “One, it’s obviously the right thing to do. Two, being more sustainable generally has business benefits in terms of communication opportunities to consumers or efficiency opportunities. And third, any time you are using less energy, water, waste, packaging, or transportation there is an economic benefit. It makes sense – the less resources we are using from the earth, the less cost there is to us.”
Wal-Mart’s president and CEO, Mike Duke, in an October 2nd, 2009 interview with the Wall Street Journal emphasized why Wal-Mart will drive sustainability throughout their organization with this comment; “The area of sustainability was good for our business BCM INKS is a Hamilton County Go Green Challenge Participant and as a byproduct it was also good for our reputation and good for our brand. Sustainability is saving us millions of dollars and benefiting our customers and the planet.” Wal-Mart has begun the new decade with a global sustainable product index.
This index will establish a single source of data for evaluating the sustainability of products. See http://walmartstores.com/factsnews/newsroom/9277.aspx for information
about the sustainable product index. A new study from Pike Research stated that sustainable packaging will grow from 21% to 32% of the total market by 2014. Green is “in”. Ignore at your own risk to reputation and market share.
My second prediction is trade education will become more important than ever. Our equipment from presses/printers to mobile phones will become more sophisticated. Suppliers will play more of a role in training as plants shift education costs to the companies who supply the equipment or materials. On-line training will become the number one method of education.
My third prediction is brand colors will become more critical to CPC’s and retailers. Successful brands will proliferate through more brand line extensions and brand combinations. Example: Tide detergent; Tide with bleach, Tide tablets, Tide with Downy. The CPC’s and retailers will want to make shopping easier for the consumer. Identifiable, consistent color will make it easier for the consumer to find the brands.
My fourth prediction is innovation will become a mantra for all companies. “Me too” products will result in “me too” sales. Companies will need to be aware of product perception from direct feedback as well as social media. Social media will play a more important role in shaping innovations.
My fifth prediction is digital printing. Digital printing will become a major factor in the direct print flexo market. Speed to market and the ability to customize packages/POP for local markets will become more critical. Digital presses will finally match the speeds of some flexo presses. Digital print will be available from numerous sources.
My sixth prediction is UV flexo inks and varnishes will become more widely used on flexo presses. UV inks offer superior gloss, faster press speeds, and fewer cleanups compared to water-based inks.
My final prediction is the world will become smaller. We will be able to conduct business with a company in Russia or China as if it was located in our country, state, and city. Language and tariff barriers will be eliminated, minimized, or removed. We will recognize that each country is economically dependent on one another.
How is BCM Inks going to approach the New Decade?
- We will pursue development of “green” products. This will take many forms from waterless concentrates which save water, material, and transportation costs to incremental improvements in our Eekoflex inks and varnishes. We will continue to devote resources behind unique ink delivery systems. i.e. ink in a box.
- We will continue to educate the industry regarding brand color management. Methods like G7, spot color management, and spectrophotometry will be our focus.
- We will continue to deliver superior service and manage our business with “integrity”.
- We will form more joint ventures so we can offer our products and services globally.
- We will continue to develop/provide digital and UV inks and varnishes to meet the needs of the market.
As we head into a new decade, I want to thank you, our customers. Your ongoing support has contributed to our success. We will work even harder in the years to come to assure your satisfaction and to strengthen our relationship.
We wish everyone a decade of health, happiness, and prosperity.
Regards,
David Callif
Ph: 513-469-0400
E-mail: dave@bcminks.com with comments or predictions