“Every market disruption, whether economics such as a recession, or technological such as AI and smart robotics, or political like the recent change in tariff policies, creates opportunity that someone will capture to come out of the disruption stronger than they went in. So what I’d like you to do is ask, ‘How can I use everything I am learning at thINK Ahead 2025 to capture those opportunities and prepare for the virtuous cycle ahead?’”
Andy Paparozzi, chief economist at PRINTING United Alliance, posed that question to attendees at the annual Canon production inkjet user conference in Boca Raton, Florida (July 14-16). His panelist presentation was part of the session “Predicting the Next 5 Years in the Commercial Print Industry in a Time of Chaos,” hosted by Marco Boer, president of I.T. Strategies, and also featured fellow panelist Lori Messina, president of Farmingdale, New York’s Access Direct Systems, and immediate past president of the thINK board of directors.
Paparozzi shared that based on research conducted by the Alliance, the industry has faced weak growth in 2025 due to market uncertainty. According to the latest industry survey, sales are up just 0.7%, and less than 30% of companies report increased profitability. Additionally, more than half are delaying capital investments due to this disruption.
However, Paparozzi noted he is optimistic for the future. Consumer confidence is rebounding, driven by rising incomes, a recovering stock market, and moderating inflation. Productivity is also increasing, fueling a “virtuous cycle” where higher productivity leads to higher wages, more spending, increased demand, and sustainable growth.
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