Page 63 - Print21 November-December 2022

Associations
Ricoh partners with industry for business success
Ricoh and the Print & Visual Communication Association of Australia (PVCA) have joined in a commercial supply partnership, to support projects to assist print business and industry success.
The two organisations say the expanded partnership between them will help drive support for the Power of Print (PoP) Business Success seminars, and the establishment of Annual Industry Metrics collation and reporting for the print industry and related services.
“We have many valued supply members, however Ricoh wanted
to be part of something that was more than a logo placement. They wanted to invest in something that built solutions and support for print businesses. This approach was valued and one that we have worked through over the recent months to reach a series of projects and ideas we can bring to the industry for our members to benefit from. I thank Ricoh for their approach, their leadership and their investment in the ‘future-proof’ plan we have for printers across all sectors across Australia,” said Kellie Northwood, CEO, PVCA.
The Power of Print webinar series, now PoP, was developed
in 2020 as the ‘Rebuild Together’ series to assist print businesses through Covid. It achieved high industry participation with 29,000 engagement points recorded. In 2021, a similar series ‘Power of Print’, was launched by TRMC and ran across ten weeks achieving 64,000 engagement points.
TRMC invested considerable resources to maintain the programme for print businesses to enhance their skills and business tools across operations, sales and future success strategies. Ricoh recognised the importance of having a business tools folio for the industry to address skills and training commitments.
Tina Economou, general manager (Sales and Marketing), Ricoh Australia, said, “Ricoh has a firm commitment
to ensuring our customers and the
Kellie Northwood, CEO, PVCA
Australian industry is a strong one. We see our role to work with the industry association to build programs the industry can benefit from. We didn’t want to build a pure ‘sponsorship’ arrangement, we wanted a partnership arrangement to deliver powerful programs that will assist all of industry and provide a lasting benefit.”
Another key initiative is Ricoh's support for the Annual Industry Metrics Report. During the past ten years, the paper, print and related services industry has been unable to access industry wide research and, as
a result, industry leaders, business owners and larger organisations have been relying on a collation of datasets that are not industry specific. The Annual Industry Metrics Report will now provide industry and regional specific data to assist businesses assess market-share trends, sector growths, seasonal forecasting and investment.
It will also enable the industry association to provide accurate data to government on industry issues, including apprenticeships, industry employment, skills and training.
Matt Aitken, president, PVCA, welcomed the approach from Ricoh, saying, “The initiative shown from a supply member to want to stand with the industry as a partner
is valued and cognisant of the important fact that our industry
is facing challenges and working together as one is the best way to achieve a strong future for all. I look forward to working with the Ricoh team and encourage our supply members to also look to opportunities on how we can better work together.” 21
PVCA responds to first Labor budget
The first budget from the new government is out, and has left business, and PVCA, underwhelmed. According to the treasurer, it had three objectives – responsible cost of living relief, strengthening the economy, and the beginning of budget repair.
Kellie Northwood, CEO of the newly merged print employers' association PVCA said, “This budget has not included much to benefit our industry generally, although there are likely to be indirect benefits through certain measures such as those relating
to childcare, immigration, education and training, however these will not be realised for several years. Thankfully, the government has not added any additional regulatory burdens on businesses.”
In the budget the federal government outlined its priorities across this term in key areas such as climate change, employment, education, skills, gender equity, health and aged care, infrastructure, and tax.
“Under the current societal and economic circumstances being experienced in Australia and globally, treasurer Chalmers budget could be considered as fiscally responsible for its spending restraint and savings, rather than having cash splashes that would negatively affect inflation.” said Northwood.
Charles Watson, PVCA general manager of IR, Policy and Governance, said, “This budget has to
be contextualised, based on an initial baseline
of current, medium and longer term economic forecasting, and taking into account current fiscal and monetary policy positions, such as increasing interest rates, increasing inflation, increasing deficits and net debt, and social issues. An application of those factors will see limited economic growth over the coming years. That growth will be hampered by ongoing supply chain issues and a lack of labour with the right skills and competencies.”
Attracting youth
On one of the key issues for the printing industry, attracting youth, Watson said, “The funding for tertiary places is welcomed, however the issue is bigger than merely funding places. Tertiary infrastructure, particularly in TAFEs, need to be made fit for purpose. Additionally, attracting tertiary students into VET and through to completion of studies is an issue that needs to be addressed,” said Watson.
He added, “Although this budget can be seen
as reasonable and practical, it has to be balanced against concerns over variously proposed IR related legislative amendments and their potential effects on productivity challenges. This is particularly the case over the coming years as Australia seeks to become
a more developed economy that manufacturers and exports complex products.”
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