The printing industry's appetite for investing in the latest technology has been confirmed by new figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

This latest release further validates Printing Industries projections for bumper investment by the industry during 2005-2006. The ABS December 2005 quarter data shows that during calendar year 2005 the printing industry spent $749 million on plant and equipment - a rise of 36.2 per cent over the previous period.

The Australian economy also reported a surge in total new capital expenditure with trend data showing total new capital expenditure rose by 5.9 per cent during the December 2005 quarter to be 27.6 per cent higher than the same period a year ago.

Investment in buildings and structures was reported to have increased by 5.1 per cent during the quarter and by 31.9 per cent compared to the same period 12 months ago. The reported increases for equipment, plant and machinery were 5.8 per cent and 25.0 per cent respectively.

During the quarter total capital expenditure in the printing, publishing and recorded media industry was reported to have increased by 4.5 per cent and by 40.3 per cent compared to December quarter 2004.

Based on industry projections investment expectations are not showing any signs of moderating. More than $800 million of new capital expenditure plans are in the pipeline. And depending on how much the expectations are realised, total new capital expenditure for the printing industry could be in the range of $735 million to $794 million.  

Printing Industries Manager of Industry and Commercial Policy, Hagop Tchamkertenian, said the latest ABS data supports what Printing Industries' internal research has been showing for some time.

"The recently released Printing Industry Trends report for the December 2005 quarter shows that the respondents capital expenditure expectations are at their highest level since September quarter 1994" he said.

Anyone interested in reading the ABS capital expenditure summary report can do so by clicking on the document below.

ABS Capex Dec05 summary (pdf - 119.1 kb) An overview of the December 2005 quarter capital expendture outcomes and expectations.