De Ruijter Strategy conducted the ‘Label Industry Scenarios for 2020-2025’ project and hosted a scenario workshop at the FINAT European Label Forum (ELF) in Berlin.
The European Label Forum (ELF)
ELF is the annual summit for business leaders, media representatives and stakeholders across the European label value chain. The event is hosted by FINAT, the European association for the self-adhesive label industry. It takes place once a year and spans three days. The programme offers valuable insights, practical experience and strong networking opportunities that support strategic decision-making in the label industry.
Key developments shaping the label industry
These are turbulent times for the label industry. While short-term prospects were still positive at the beginning of 2017, long-term developments are creating uncertainty. Political shifts are putting pressure on world trade and free markets within Europe. At the same time, mergers and acquisitions are accelerating. Label companies, investors and new entrants are expanding their position in an increasingly integrated market.
In addition, the Industry 4.0 revolution is transforming products, processes and business models. At the same time, demographic change is also having an impact. As experienced employees retire, new talent becomes scarce and more expensive.
Developing label industry scenarios
To explore these developments, De Ruijter Strategy conducted a label industry scenarios project. This included interviews with experts from different perspectives. The goal was to assess the impact of key drivers on the future of the label industry.
During the second day of the ELF in Berlin, the results were presented in two parallel workshop sessions. In the workshop Label Industry Scenarios for 2020–2025, hosted by Paul de Ruijter and Renate Kenter, 200 participants explored four possible futures:
- Fragmentation: success depends on bilateral relationships in a more protectionist Europe
- Consolidation: label companies become investment assets for large corporations
- Tech disruption: platform-based models enter the label industry
- Employee shortage: talent scarcity drives up labour costs
Participants worked with a fictional case about label printer Enrico and his company FinatCo. This helped translate abstract label industry scenarios into practical insights.
To bring the scenarios to life, De Ruijter Strategy collaborated with students from the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. They created visualisations that made complex developments tangible and stimulated discussion.
On the third day of the ELF, the outcomes of the label industry scenarios workshop were discussed during the FINAT Business Debate. Paul de Ruijter engaged three leading executives and the audience in a dynamic conversation, together with incoming FINAT president Chris Ellison.
Want to explore scenarios for your sector or organization? Get in touch and discover how scenario planning can help you prepare for an uncertain future.
