Many APDSP members report that construction is strong in their areas.
By Ed Avis
Reprographics shop owners are feeling good about business prospects in 2018, according to a survey conducted last week.
“The year is off to a fast start,” one respondent to the survey said.
The survey asked respondents to choose from among five responses: “I think business will be much better in 2018 than in 2017,” “I think business will be somewhat better,” and so on, all the way to “I think business will be much worse.”
Thirty-eight reprographics shop owners from across the U.S. and into Canada answered the questions, and 20 of them (53 percent) said, “I think business will be somewhat better.” Another 8 said business will be “much better,” so combined 74 percent think business is going up this year.
About 18 percent expect this year to be about the same as 2017, and only 3 respondents – 8 percent – said they think business will be worse.
The survey also asked WHY the respondents feel that way. Here is a sampling of answers to that question:
Many of our customers have talked about integrating more color into their S&M activities and printed communications. More municipalities are encouraging color in building proposals and submittals. (This individual answered the previous question, “I think business will be somewhat better.”)
There are less and less building projects. (This person answered the previous question, “I think business will be about the same.”)
I think many parts of our economy are in a bubble. Lots of change with new currencies and stronger big e-commerce disruptors. (“I think business will be somewhat better.”)
We will see inflation increase in 2018. The market will go through a correction. There will be a catastrophic world event, possibly even war with N. Korea. The president will resign or be found unfit for office in 2018. (“I think business will be about the same.”)
Tax cuts, business is booming. (“I think business will be much better than in 2017.”)
The last 5 years have been flat, and I do not see it going in either direction. (“I think business will be about the same.”)
Due to the recent CA wildfires our business will increase. (“I think business will be much better than in 2017.”)
Residential and commercial building is still going strong in our area. The contractors are telling me they are all busy booked well into the year. A & E saying they are busy as well. We have also added new graphic design services. (“I think business will be somewhat better.”)
Trump’s tax plan, people are upbeat about business. (“I think business will be much better than in 2017.”)
Lots of equipment quotes. People do not buy equipment if they do not have work. (“I think business will be somewhat better.”)