Printer Finds No Joy in Philippine Growth as Costs Rise

Rommel Miel’s printing shop in Manila should be basking in the rising demand from one of Asia’s fastest growing economies. Instead, he’s struggling to keep his two-year-old business afloat.

“Business is good, but we’ll be forced to increase our prices just to survive,” said Miel, 39, as he sorted new orders in his shop, surrounded by stacks of T-shirts in clear plastic sleeves. “Our margins are shrinking, and the odds are now against us,” he said, explaining that costs of some raw materials have surged as much as 50 percent this year.