Supply Chain Resources

Surging demand, supply chain disruptions and sharply rising costs have significantly altered the economics of our industry. PRINTING United Alliance is continuously monitoring the supply chain situation and we are working on your behalf to minimize the impact of these issues. The Supply Chain Resource Channel has up-to-date information regarding our supply chain and recommended articles to help you remain resilient in a disrupted market.

Analysis

PRINTING United Alliance is committed to providing its members with timely, accurate analysis of paper related supply chain disruptions.

Shipping Prices Could Be About to Skyrocket (Again)

The average cost to ship a 40 ft. container from China to the U.S. West Coast could soon hit up to $8,000 for a yearlong freight contract, a record high and a significant increase over last year's average of $5,500.

Planning Ahead to Address Paper Supply Challenges

Business is picking up, but the availability of paper stocks has become more limited and unpredictable, which in turn has caused paper prices to increase. Supply chain issues have been making headlines across various manufacturing segments, and the printing industry is no exception. 

The Powerful Case for US Book Manufacturing in the face of Global Supply Chain Challenges, Paper shortages and Rising Distribution Costs

During these dynamic, fast-paced, early days of 2022, business agility and laser focused attention to detail can provide domestic US book manufacturers with a unique and lasting opportunity to gain market share.

Supply Chain Challenges for Wide Format Media

A discussion of the current state of supply chain disruptions for media products used in wide-format digital printing.

Research

PRINTING United Alliance conducts research to help you gain perspectives on mitigating supply chain disruptions and offsetting risks. 

Latest Survey Sheds Light on Supply Chain Crisis for Substrates, Consumables

To get the facts on the supply chain crisis, PRINTING United Alliance recently launched the Printing Industry Supply Chain Conditions Survey. Nearly 200 companies, including commercial printers, graphic and sign producers, apparel decorators, functional printers, and package printers/converters, have …

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Market Share Being Redistributed as Supply Chain Conditions Continue to Deteriorate

Results of the Printing Industry Supply Chain Conditions Survey, conducted by PRINTING United Alliance and NAPCO Research, support three conclusions.

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News

Stay informed with the latest news concerning supply chain developments impacting our industry.

Agfa to Increase Price of its Aluminum Offset Printing Plates

Since Q2 last year, Agfa has been implementing quarterly price increases and surcharges to compensate for the significant cost increases it has been facing in raw materials, logistics, energy, packaging material and labor.

House Lawmakers Introduce Trucking Workforce Bill

In response to the industry’s driver shortage, Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) are sponsoring the Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act.

Supply chains are never returning to ‘normal’

The world has permanently changed, and supply chains are going to face continuing challenges for decades to come.

What Does the Paper Shortage Mean for American Manufacturers?

One of the largest industries in the world, the pulp and paper sector is a critical link in the industrial supply chain.

Printing and Writing Paper Market Report: Size, Production, Suppliers, and Forecast to 2030

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'World – Printing and Writing Paper - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

Global Supply Chain Crisis Round Two Could Be 'Bigger Than Last Year'

China’s stringent rules to curb Covid-19 are about to unleash another wave of summer chaos on supply chains between Asia, the U.S. and Europe.

Supply Chain Impacts on the Print Market - April 2022

A distributor’s strategic guide to navigating price increases by Navitor. 

West Coast Port Labor Talks Start Tomorrow. Here's What's At Stake.

Officials from both parties have made it clear they aim to avoid disruption, but the talks will cover some difficult ground.

Sylvamo Confirms Russian Exit

Sylvamo has confirmed that it plans to sell off its Russian operations and is already in discussions with more than one potential buyer.

Supply Chains Are Increasingly Vulnerable. Can Forecasting Keep Up?

Advances in big data and cloud computing are improving the ability of AI to anticipate external forces and fluctuating market dynamics.

Under Armour is Canceling Orders Due to Supply Chain Issues

The company is working with vendors and customers to cancel planned orders affected specifically by supply chain delays, capacity issues and emergent COVID-19 impacts in China.

NAM Letter Supporting the Supply Chain Subtitle in the America COMPETES Act

May 10, 2022 - PRINTING United Alliance joined NAM in its support of the important provisions in the America COMPETES Act supply chain subtitle, including the Manufacturing Security and Resilience Program, as the legislation moves through the USICA-COMPETES conference process.  

AF&PA Releases March 2022 Printing-Writing Monthly Report

According to the American Forest & Paper Association report, total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased three percent when compared to February 2022.

3 Strategies to Navigate Packaging Shortages

Shortages of packaging materials such as pallets, plastics, corrugate, metal and glass are wreaking havoc across supply chains, and it remains unclear when, or if, these constraints will subside.

Label Printer Goes Bust in Wake of UPM Supply Crisis

A long-established UK label printer has gone into administration with supply issues caused by the strike at UPM cited as one of the reasons for its failure.

Tell Us About Your Experience

PRINTING United Alliance is interested in learning how supply chain disruptions are impacting your business. Our Government Affairs team will use these stories on Capitol Hill to highlight the problem and real-life impact. Your personal story can be the most powerfully persuasive narrative for lawmakers.
Share your supply chain story