1. Introduction (Ms. Helene Juhola, iarigai)
iarigai is a world-wide non-profit association serving the research institutions in the fields of information, media and graphic arts industries. Its 50 members from 21 countries represent research institutes, academic organizations (universities, colleges) and industrial R&D. The annual iarigai conference is well established and the association is searching for new ways to create additional benefit to its members. The recently made survey on the competitiveness of the European printing industry and the consequent European Graphic Industry Action Plan by European Commission include elements that call for more intensive cooperation on the one hand between the research institutions and on the other hand between the research institutions and the industry. iarigai community could serve as a basis for creating such research networks between different bodies. The purpose of the first iarigai Strategic Networking Meeting was to identify whether there is an interest on the formation of a research network and to specify how this process should be continued.
2. Competitiveness of the European Printing Industry (Ms. Béatrice Klose, Intergraf)
Intergraf (Confederation for Printing and Allied Industries) has 25 member federations in 22 countries. Intergraf has recently focused on analysis of the EU printing industry as well as on surveys on Chinese printing industry and its influence on European print market. The conclusions are that EU printing industry has
² Lack of common vision
² Low level of consolidation
² Weak negotiation position
² Overcapacity
² Standard product positioning without sufficient differentiation or added value
In order to improve the situation Intergraf has been involved in EU Commission studies and preparation of the European Graphic Industry Action Plan. Intergraf has also set up a project database of the member projects. The database shows that, for instance, environment is a field where the members have both short and long-term projects on local, national and EU level.
Intergraf has listed several key issues for the future. One of them is developing a European research & innovation network.
3. European Graphic Industry Action Plan (Mr. Jean-Pierre Haber, EU Commission)
Printing is considered to be a part of Forest Based Industries (FBI) by European Commission DG Enterprise and Industry. The share of printing is 1/3 of the FBI with
² 126.000 companies
² 900.000 employees
² 98 billion EUR turnover
The key of the future success of the FBI is sustainable competitiveness. The action plan for restoring the value chain of the printing industry's products contains six points:
1. Accompanying the dynamic of the European printing industry in a global market
(partnership, better direction of production costs)
2. Developing services with strong added value for customers
3. Better training of managers
4. A stronger European reference (standardization, harmonization)
5. Coordinated increase in research and innovation efforts
6. Improving the image of the printing industry
Financing of the measures regarding point 4 should be related to the FTP (Forest Based Sector Technology Platform in FP7). Proper instruments could be Networks of Excellence or ERA-NETs.
4. The Forest-Based Sector Technology Platform (FTP) in FP7 (Dr. Andreas Kleinschmit von Lengefeld)
The FTP has succeeded in mobilizing the entire forest-based sector - all the value chains, industry & research community. Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) was truly cross sectorial and FTP has become well-known in Brussels. FTP is supported by National Supporting Groups in 23 countries and SRA has been translated into National Research Agendas for national action in 11 countries so far and in 19 by the end of the year 2008. The outcome is that the sector is much more visible in FP7 and the 1st call has been a success.
Two countries - Finland (Forestcluster Ltd) and Sweden - have set up special institutions to promote and coordinate R&D funding in the sector. Several iarigai members are involved in the activities of FTP, while Intergraf is represented in the advisory committee of FTP.
5. Round table discussion, Session I (Moderator Dr. Bernard Pineaux, EFPG)
The discussion was moderated by Bernard Pineaux form EFPG, who organized a workshop in Grenoble during the EU Commission study. The recommendation of the workshop was to create a network of universities, research institutes, associations and suppliers like press manufactures for fostering the knowledge transfer to and innovation development in particularly SMEs. The tools to implement this in practice could be workshops/forums on specific topics twice a year and research projects between the companies. The graphic communication should be considered to be a broader concept than only a printing industry. Other players representing, for instance, electronic media should be involved.
Discussion:
The most important players were considered to be present in the SNM. It is, however, difficult to create a link between SMEs and research institutions, because either they cannot recognize the possibilities for collaboration or they cannot get involved because of their limited resources. It was stated that the greatest potential for the research network lies in cooperation with large and medium size enterprises. Intergraf could be an important link in transferring the knowledge of the research and technology to the printers, but the question remains how to bring research results to the companies.
It was mentioned that printers are not interested in R&D and they do not have time to listen to the research people. One solution is to involve students in the companies.
It was also stated that Chinese have the newest technologies and many printers especially SMEs in Europe cannot afford investing, they are using old technologies and will disappear when the owner retires.
Many companies seem to fail in selling the capacity or features of the new technology they have purchased. The technology should always be purchased to simplify and/or improve the operations and business opportunities (quality, efficiency, costs). The key of success are new solutions to the customers.
Quality is still an issue and differentiation in the service development. Cooperation of the printing industry associations has been increasing tremendously.
In Stuttgart Flexographic Society is linking professional association with teaching and short-term research.
The need for education was emphasized. Better-educated people can understand and promote research and development.
In Finland Tekes/Innoprint programme is directed to the graphic arts industry. When SME's were asked for ideas for R&D topics, they came up with very good ideas. It shows that there is potential and SMEs can get involved if facilitating structures that are available. 50 companies with 39 projects have been involved in Innoprint programme so far (since the end of 2006).
The critical question is how European printing industry is able to survive in the global competition. New products and new services will be needed. We would need a consortium to prepare a forecast where European printing industry should go and then to construct the SRA. This should be activity funded by an EU Programme.
It should be noticed that iarigai, which was the organizer of the SNM, is a worldwide association. Therefore, it is important to determine the common identity and decide whether we speak about us as Europeans or worldwide. The conclusion was that cooperation over the borders is important. There are plenty of challenges that are common to this industry worldwide.
iarigai should pave the way for the printing industry to attend the long-term research and the application of the research results in the companies.
6. Roundtable discussion, Session II (Moderator Helene Juhola, iarigai)
It was suggested that Intergraf and iarigai should set up a working group to continue the networking process.
Possible instruments at EU for financing different actions could be
² Cooperation - applied research
² Capacities - research infrastructures
² People / MarieCurie - scientists
The first task is to define why we would like to create the network. This could perhaps be related to SA - Support Actions for research.
Pre-studies could possibly be made on national basis. Ideas should be described on half a page -> topics to the work programme.
ERA-NET could be formed in two years time. That would involve:
1. Coordination body in Brussels
2. Innovation centers on each region
3. 5-6 people to prepare the plan
6. Conclusions
It was decided that the preparations would be continued by the core group, consisting of
Aido
EFPG
FESPA
HDM
Intergraf
KCL
PTS
STFI
TU Chemnitz
University of Swansea
VDMA
iarigai
The representatives of EU Commission and FTP will be participating as well. Mr. Haber from EU Commission informed that he would actively promote the ideas generated by the group. A road-mapping project, where the current situation in the field of print research would be surveyed and the future needs and areas of focus defined, could be funded by the commission.
Helene Juhola
