PART 2
■ASIA FORUM
7th FAGAT/Malaysia 2004
Information Exchange Meeting
| Figure2 | The Number of CTP Installations in the Korean Printing Market |
|---|---|
| Year | Number of CtP installations |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 25 |
| 2002 | 31 |
| 2003 | 41 |
It is difficult to build on data through a survey how new technology and equipment were introduced to Korean printing market. If we are to mention of the very significant changes of development in the prepress sector it would be the introduction of CtP. Korean printing companies started to introduce CtP around DRUPA 2000 and the installation reached 104 unitsby the end of 2003. In the press market, 8-colour presses with inline coating units have become more popular than 2-colour and 4-colour presses among Korean printing companies in the last year.
Aside from that the Korean printers have started to increase their interest in hybrid technology, such as UV printing and coatings.
The number of printing companies being introduced CIP3(international Cooperation for Integration of Prepress, Press and Postpress) is growing steadily which shows their interest in the automated printing process.
| Figure3 | The Status of CTP Distribution in the Korean Printing Market |
|---|---|
| Business Sector | Number of CtP installations |
| Printing Company | 85 |
| Government | 8 |
| Prepress Company | 8 |
| Newspaper Company | 3 |
| Others | 3 |
To enhance a company's strength and competitiveness, it is required to step ahead with environment friendly equipment and raw material. Because USA, the largest export market of Koreanprinting business and also European markets emphasize environmental friendly printing process and printing materials. Therefore a few Korean printing companies have started being aware ofthese facts and are starting to make their efforts to accommodate their clients' requests.
It is obvious that following up existing technology and development are very important. But also some Korean printers indicate that it is more important to create and guide clients' needsas this is the way to go for globalization.
(3) Human Resources; To Bring up High Level of Skilled Manpower
The printing business is recognized as a spearhead in the technical area and sometimes its technical changes are too fast to catch up. Under such circumstance it is very important to rain up and secure human resources because this is one of the ways needed for globalization.
Currently in Korea we have 21 printing educational facilities. These consist of 6 printing high schools, 7 vocational institutes, 6 colleges and 2 universities. Although these educational bodiesproduce about 2,000 graduates every year, the printing industry still suffers lack of workers. Most of these educational bodies do not have up-to-date training facilities and thus it creates abig gap between what the industry needs and what the educational bodies can offer.
A lot of Korean printers recognize a well-trained human resource is equal to a human asset and believe they can achieve a real globalization with this strength.
Many Associations and Institutes that are related to printing industry is planning to operate a vocational institute where a young generation who can make practical applications of new information technology, can meet with experienced technical experts in order to create the bestsynergy effect together.
Another challenge for a good human resource is to change the public perception of the printing industry. The society that we belong to regards the printing industry as a 3D job and it creates a lot of bad image in the public. The things that cause a bad impression of the printing industry are low salary, lower standard of welfare and a poor working environment. To change this image of the printing industry, every printer should make an effort to improve the things mentioned above and it will make a difference in the status of the future printing industry.
(4) Standardization; Establishing a Standard for the Process and Quality
The scientific management of the print quality is the absolute necessity to produce a consistentquality on world level. Korean printers think that globalization of the industry can only be realized by the latest equipment, regular inspection on working environment, establishing a standard whereby print quality can be analyzed.
The standardization is considered as the only way to satisfy clients in a different culture and overcome communication difficulties. CIP3(international Cooperation for Integration of Prepress,Press and Postpress) is now popularly adopted to standardize printing process; color management and finishing.
(5) Development; To Develop Unique Business Area for the Korean Printing Industry
Although a printing company can cope with various printing needs, it is not always easy to give its client 100% satisfaction with its products because the customer has his own unique idea and taste.
Most of Korean printing companies are exposed to a weak structure, as they do not have the ability to initiate development and production of new products. They are dependent on their clients' orders and just follow what the customers designed and develop. Figure 5 shows the changes of current export items for the last 3 years. Books and pamphlets almost hit 65 million USD covering over 48% of the total export amount. Calendar export comes next covering 16%. Meanwhile many different kinds of printing items such as calendars, catalogs, advertising materials, and newspapers are exported, however there are very few items that were created and developed by Korean printers by their own ideas.
As every country has its own specialized printing areas and materials the Korean printing industry also needs to develop its own items to satisfy customer's needs.
This is a way that we can increase our export volume and can attract customers in the worldmarket. This will increase our share in the global market eventually.
| Figure 4.Export of Printing Materials(Unit:1,000USD) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | 2001 | 2002 | 2003/Nov |
| Books, Pamphlets | 63,399 | 71,729 | 64,793 |
| News papers, Magazines, Periodicals | 3,241 | 3,665 | 3,150 |
| Children books | 325 | 172 | 860 |
| Musical notes | 31 | 3 | 3 |
| Maps, Chart | 813 | 307 | 294 |
| Plans | 54,775 | 3,407 | 1,647 |
| Stamps, Securities, Fiscal Stamps | 1,177 | 1,090 | 287 |
| Flimsy | 14,410 | 15,350 | 15,928 |
| Printed postcards, Cards | 5,202 | 5,661 | 4,274 |
| Calendars, Advertising Materials | 19,494 | 17,799 | 21,488 |
| Others | 51,101 | 19,893 | 21,786 |
| Total | 213,968 | 139,076 | 134,510 |
(6) Globalization; Expansion of the Printing Facilities into Overseas
| Figure 5. Overseas Expansion of Korean Printing Business (2002) | |
|---|---|
| Country | Number of Company |
| Malaysia | 2 |
| USA | 9 |
| Vietnam | 2 |
| Sri Lanka | 2 |
| Indonesia | 4 |
| Japan | 1 |
| China | 52 |
| Thailand | 1 |
| Philippines | 3 |
| Hong Kong | 1 |
| Mexico | 1 |
Secondly the owners of companies do not need to put their efforts into keeping good labour relations. Therefore establishing overseas operation became an attractive solution to the conflict between labour and management. Finally, it helped to have closer relationship with its overseas customers being geographically located nearby. Korean printers consider the globalization accompanied by localization is the way for successful future.
In 1998 and 1999, the number of investment for establishing overseas operations was only 6 and 3 respectively. However the investment for the overseas market was increased rapidly after year 2000. According to the survey of Minister of Finance and Economy, the number of overseas investments reached 78 by March, 2003. China had almost 67% of overseas investment and after that USA, Indonesia, The Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam followed.
Conclusion
We have looked at the concept of globalization of the Korean printers and the current globalization situation of the Korean printing industry. It can be summarized as follow.
- Globalization becomes main trend today and the printing industry is taking a part of it.
- The Korean printing industry has many difficulties to overcome to be able to follow the trend of globalization.
- Most of the Korean printers understand that globalization will expand their business areasthrough export.
- The Korean printing industry is suffering for the lack of expert specialized in international trade. To improve the current export situation, Korean printers need to focus their efforts on establishing standards for the whole printing process and the management. Patience is also required for building up long term relationship with their customers and new prospects. The Korean printing industry additionally requires systematic support from the government for encouraging and developing new items.
- Other concept of the globalization that Korean printers consider is the rationalization of management systems, introduction of state of the art technology, training of manpower, strengthening of competitiveness, establishing printing standard, developing and producing unique Korean item and expansion of Korean printing business into overseas.
2004/08/16 00:00:00