The reprographics industry, as measured by the APDSP Index, recovered a little lost ground during the fourth quarter of 2017, but not much. In the third quarter of 2017 the Index had fallen to 42 for AEC business, its lowest point ever. In the fourth quarter it inched up to 47. An index of 50 indicates a flat market, so an index of 47 indicates that more reprographics firms reported a decrease in AEC business than reported an increase. So even though the figure is up from the third quarter, it's still in negative growth territory.
The picture was equally unexciting for non-AEC business. In that category, the Index stood at 56 for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to 60 during the third quarter. So non-AEC business is growing for more reprographics firms than shrinking, but not by much.
In year-to-year comparison, the Index was down significantly in AEC business and up slightly in non-AEC. The Index stood at 62 for AEC business during the fourth quarter of 2016, and 54 for non-AEC business.
The fourth quarter 2017 Index was based on a survey of IRgA members sent last week. Thirty-six reprographics shops answered the survey. Of the respondents, 11 reported growth in their AEC business over the previous quarter, compared to 13 who said it went down. For non-AEC business, 14 reported growth, compared to 10 who saw a decline.
Specific details about the survey, such as a geographic breakdown and a detailed breakdown by type of job, will be emailed to respondents who completed the survey and paid APDSP members. Look for the next survey in May.