In the 2024 Sustainability and Print Innovation Awards, hosted by WAN-IFRA’s World Printers Forum, Ranzijn was recognised for his dynamic leadership and forward-thinking approach within the print industry. He was awarded the Young Leader of the Year award.

He credited this achievement to the “bold investments in recent years, which made us stand out”.

Rodi Group, which publishes 28 local door-to-door newspapers, also operates a printing house (Rodi Rotatiedruk) and a distribution company (Rodi Verspreiding).

What began in 1970 with the launch of De Koerier, a local newspaper, evolved into the founding of Rodi Media BV in 1978.

In 2020, Rodi acquired several weekly newspapers from DPG Media, leading to the establishment of publishing houses in South Holland, Flevoland, and Twente provinces in the Netherlands.

Since then, the company has grown into a key player in Dutch regional media, now publishing 56 newspapers across the country.

Initially, the print shop mainly handled publications from Rodi’s own publishing house. However, in 2005, the company invested in a KBA Cortina waterless printing press. Since then, this press has been used not only for Rodi’s own newspapers but also for numerous external clients.

“We print around 150 different orders every week, with a total circulation of 4.5 million copies. We have one Waterless KBA Cortina Press, six printing towers – each capable of printing 32 tabloid pages – and four folders,” Ranzijn said.

“If you bring passion, innovation, and strategic thinking to the table, the future of print, combined with digital, offers immense possibilities. Be bold, embrace change, and lead the way!”

Ranzijn will be one of the key speakers at WAN-IFRA’s World Printers Summit, to be held from 8-9 October in Munich, Germany.

WAN-IFRA: Congratulations on being named WAN-IFRA’s Young Leader of the Year award. How did it feel to receive the recognition?

Dick Ranzijn: Thank you! Of course, I was very surprised to win an award… Perhaps our bold investments in recent years made us stand out, and it’s truly rewarding to be recognised in this way. It feels like well-deserved recognition of our hard work.

What was the first initiative you undertook upon becoming Managing Director of the Rodi Group, and what key changes have you implemented since then?

I took over the company from my dad in January 2020, becoming the second generation of our family-owned business. Within weeks, the outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted the market, a true baptism by fire. During this period, we acquired several publishing houses, invested in our digital capabilities, and retrofitted our printing press. As a result, we are now fully prepared for the future.

What business challenges have you faced in your role as Managing Director, and how have you worked to overcome them?

The biggest challenge lies in fully utilising our print capabilities. Our printing press needs to run to generate revenue, and our publishing houses must continue producing newspapers to stay profitable. While we are making significant strides in the digital space, the print newspaper remains essential and cannot be overlooked at this time.

Please tell us about your recent investments (machines / businesses).

For our printing house, we have implemented new software to further optimise our workflow. Additionally, we have fully retrofitted our CTP (computer-to-plate) department and invested in new developers and imaging units.

In our publishing division, we are primarily investing in digital capabilities, while keeping in mind that print remains crucial for our existence and audience reach.

The print industry is going through turbulent times. What is your perspective on these challenges, and what strategies are you implementing to address them?

The graphic industry will continue to consolidate, with fewer weekly newspapers being published, declining circulation of daily newspapers, and an increasing shortage of technically skilled personnel.

Fortunately, we have the advantage of a relatively young management team, which allows us to stay ahead and continue for the foreseeable future. We also hope to benefit from publishing houses putting themselves up for sale and printing companies shutting down, enabling us to acquire additional print work. Our print house is going to be one of the last-men standing.

What sort of innovations do you think the printers should focus on to stay relevant?

In today’s digital world, printers must innovate to stay relevant, combining traditional print with new technologies and business models. The key areas where the printing industry should focus on innovation are smart and data driven printing, sustainable and eco-friendly printing, and hybrid print-digital solutions. For printers to thrive in the digital era, they must embrace technology, sustainability, and hybrid digital-print solutions. The future is not about replacing print with digital, but about integrating both for maximum impact.

How are you taking advantage of AI in your day-to-day operations?

Of course, AI is integrated across all our departments. Our editorial team utilises ChatGPT, while AI also assists in handling emails and customer interactions. It serves as a valuable tool to make work easier and more efficient, but it is not a replacement for employees.

Additionally, we have collaborated with Dutch Technology eXperts (DTX) to establish a Security Operations Center. This system monitors all activities within our organisation, helping to prevent cyberattacks, hacking attempts, and phishing threats. It also automatically intervenes when anomalies are detected.

In other words, AI has become an indispensable part of our organisation.

Are there any plans to venture into other businesses for an additional revenue stream for the company?

We are committed to increasing our digital revenue, reducing our dependence on print, and ensuring that we are fully prepared for the post-print future when the big presses aren’t being sold anymore. By expanding our digital offerings, we can diversify revenue streams, adapt to changing consumer behaviours, and future-proof our business while still leveraging the strengths of print in the present.

What are your plans for the upcoming year?

Just like previous years, 2025 will be a turbulent year. Global challenges will inevitably impact the major economies in Europe, affecting industries across the board, including ours.

In response, Rodi will focus on consolidation and stability. Rather than pursuing aggressive expansion, we will:

• Strengthen our core business to ensure resilience in uncertain times.
• Optimise efficiency across print, digital, and distribution to maintain profitability.
• Continue investing in digital transformation while safeguarding our print operations.
• Prioritise financial and operational stability to navigate economic fluctuations effectively.

By focusing on sustainability, smart investments, and operational excellence, we will weather the economic challenges and position Rodi for long-term success beyond 2025.

What message would you like to share with young leaders (like you) in this business?

The printing industry is evolving faster than ever. While digital advancements are reshaping the media landscape, print remains a powerful and trusted medium. The key to success in this industry is adaptability: embrace innovation, integrate digital solutions, and invest in sustainable practices.

Don’t see digital as a threat to print; instead, find ways to merge the two and create cross-media opportunities. Stay curious, challenge the status quo, and always look for efficiencies through automation, AI, and new business models.

Most importantly, never lose sight of the craftsmanship that makes print unique. If you bring passion, innovation, and strategic thinking to the table, the future of print, combined with digital, offers immense possibilities. Be bold, embrace change, and lead the way!

What does the future look like for Rodi Group; and you personally?

The future of Rodi is built on a foundation of innovation, diversification, and sustainability. While print remains a core strength, we are strategically shifting towards a more digital and data-driven future to ensure long-term growth and relevance in our publishing houses.

Our future is a hybrid of print and digital, blending traditional strength with cutting-edge innovation. By continuously investing in technology, people, and sustainability, we ensure that we remain a dominant force in the media and print landscape for years to come.