The compulsory liquidation of Graph 2000 in Argentan in July 2024 illustrates the profound difficulties facing the printing sector in France. Between falling orders and changing markets post-COVID, this closure highlights the challenges facing an industry in crisis.
A months-long battle to save the printing plant
The story of Graph 2000, founded in 1926, came to an abrupt end on July 15, 2024, when the Alençon Commercial Court declared the company in receivership. For months, employees had hoped for a turnaround, with plans for relocation and downsizing to adapt the company to new market realities.
A climate of vagueness and disillusionment
The printing industry has not been spared the economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With increased digitalization and falling print volumes, traditional printers like Graph 2000 have seen their orders drop drastically. Since 2020, the sector has suffered a steady decline in print volumes, leading to a drop in demand.
The changing printing market
Despite the hopes raised by the takeover of Graph 2000 by the Imprimerie Le Révérend group in March 2023, sales stabilization and recovery quickly proved impossible. The initial plan was to maintain activity at the Argentan site and boost production by specializing in large formats. But economic reality caught up with ambitions. Lire Graph 2000 has a new owner.
The closure of Graph 2000 is symptomatic of the challenges facing the French printing industry. Faced with ever-decreasing print volumes and rampant digitalization, the sector must reinvent itself if it is to survive.
