Master thesis : "Is ultra-specialisation the key to a bright future for Grafische Groep Matthys ?"

Abstract

Paper will soon disappear. Everything is getting digital. Why and is this correct? Plastic is predicted to be banned soon, if not fully at least very far-reaching. Should we believe that? And what kind of impact will that have on business and private life? Those are questions that at some points relate to the printing industry. Since I am somehow fascinated by printing and consequently a hard believer that it will last, I found it necessary to take a critical look at it and gain insights onto the possible future evolution. Printing is a very extensive concept. This dissertation focuses on one specific part of this industry called sheetfed offset. And within that segment I pay particular attention to printing with embellishments and special features. Firstly, because it relates to my everyday business. Secondly, because printing is a very dynamic and utmost challenging market. The following pages are a discovery journey throughout a mutating industry which is capital-intensive and hungry for new technologies. As you will see, innovation, sustainability and creativity are very closely related to each other.