Every year it’s the same, people are either for it or against it, but either way they always read it.
What is it?
It’s Canadian Printer’s annual TOP Printers report.
When the prospect of producing this year’s 20th edition was first being discussed, I wanted to create a real splash. And thanks to our cover illustrator, Richard Thompson, that part of my vision was accomplished.
I also wanted to attract more companies to take part in the survey than in the past, but in this endeavor I missed my goal. We have 107 companies in the TOP Printers 2009 report, that’s down from 131 in 2008, 132 in ’07 and 144 in ’06. While we have weeded out companies that don’t represent of the broad commercial printing industry, there remains a large pool we’d like to hear from.
I’ve edited nine versions of TOP Printers, and each year people either want to know how to get on the list, or they question the validity of the entire exercise.
Does TOP Printers represent a definitive ranking of printing companies in Canada by revenue?
No, and we don’t pretend to suggest that it does. What we capture is a snapshot of the industry one year at a time.
Do the results reflect reality?
I think so. One printer in B.C. declined to take part this year due to a discomfort with the integrity of the numbers. “I know that this is done purely on merit, but I feel that the information provided by others is intentionally wrong, and I am not interested in associating my business with a bunch of people that provide inaccurate info,” wrote this year’s objector (who has participated in the past).
It’s true, we do rely on people’s honour, and I’m comfortable with the level of respect our participants have for the truth.
For example, as should be expected, this year’s results reveal that 40% of the companies experienced a decline in sales for 2008 versus 2007, that’s two out of every five. That compares with 27%, 20% and 26% year-over-year declines in the previous three reports.
If we assume companies that indicate "no change" in year-over-year sales actually did have even a slight decline, that would increase the negative growth number to 51% in this year’s report—and 38%, 37% and 38% the three years prior—a result that’s shocking, but realistic.
All I ask is that you enjoy this year’s report and take a moment to let me know what you make of the results. And remember, there’s plenty of room for your company next year.
