The purpose of this trip is to learn about Taiwan's efforts in promoting
the global competitiveness of her printing industry, which employs a workforce of over 60
thousands with an annual product gross of NT64billion [1]. We were scheduled to
visit three printing factories, one research center, and three university
departments. The openness and warm hospitality of our hosts are impressive.
All our questions were answered and requests honoured, demonstrating the highest level of
professionalism.
15 July
16 July
17 July
The printing industry in Taiwan is a closely networked community supported by the robust domestic demands. However, competition among members of the industry is high as the will to change and adapt. The three factories that we visited have different styles of management. Shen's has the largest floor space and newest hardware and software installed. China Colour is biggest in terms of its workforce, but we did not have a chance to visit its production areas. Red & Blue seems to be most innovative in both management and adaptation of new technology, which perhaps is attributable to the highly educated workforce. While Shen's maintains its competitiveness through acquisition of new technology and machinery, Red and Blue does it through in-house adaptation and improvements. The cycle for new printers for Shen's is three years with 70% resale value, and for Red & Blue is six years with 50% resale. According to its director Mr. Chang, Red & Blue would rather invest its capital on Shen's new production line than to acquire the line itself but for a lower profit margin.
Unlike Hong Kong's, Taiwan's printing industry so far relies heavily on domestic consumption. The recent acquisition of high speed printers and computerized pre-print software systems has resulted in lower profit margins and steeper competitions. Higher quality workforce, production streamlining, automation, and expansion to the global market are recognized directions among the industrialists and government planners to rejuvenate the industry. To assist the industry to cope with rapidly changing information technologies, networks, and computers, a government supported but privately operated research institute, the Printing Technology Research Institute, was established in 1993. The purpose of the Institute is a) to elevate a robust printing industry in line with government policy, b) to research and develop printing materials and machinery, manufacturing, quality assurance, and managerial techniques, and standards to support and promote exports, c) to facilitate the development and transfer of printing technologies, and d) to cultivate high quality human resources. Direct support from industry for research and development with PTRI is growing, and joint studies have resulted in substantial improvement of production efficiency and cost reduction.
There is no doubt that Taiwan's printing industry employs a highly educated workforce, 20% college graduates among Shen's and China Colour's employees, and 30% among Red and Blue's. Each year, the Culture University and Shih Hsin University, both privately funded, alone produce more than three hundred college graduates [2] in graphic communications and printing technology - about 10% joins the printing industry upon graduation. Yet, rapid development and changes are undertaking in both departments, Shih Hsin U and National Normal U, we visited. Pre-print graphic design, chromatics, networks, and computers are being emphasized. Graphic communications are considered to be an integral part of information technology, and both the printing industry and academia are finding ways to embrace it. The newly mandated program in the National Normal University shows the perceived urgency and difficulties in its implementation. It seems that already there is a critical shortage of teaching staff, and planned Masters and PhD programs await the first graduates to fill the needed expansion.
Taiwan is far more advanced than Hong Kong in printing education and
research. Nonetheless, substantial changes are being made to existing programs to
reflect the market demands for rapid adaptation of up-to-date technologies and streamlined
management and production. They felt the existing programs are no longer adequate
for the education of their future leaders in graphic communication, which is seen as the
natural extension of printing technology in the information age. The timing of the
MS and PhD programs reflects this inadequacy and their believe that suitable candidates
for this new field may not be found elsewhere or currently available in Taiwan.
[1] Hwa Kang Graphic Communications Journal, Vol. 30, Management Section, pp. 90,
1999.
[2] Journal of Graphic Communications and Technology, Vol. 4, pp. 38, 1998.