Bouyant Total Print! Expo reflects print industry confidence

Business was brisk at Total Print! Expo last week with several exhibiting companies recording record-breaking interest and sales conducted over the 3 day event. Attendance was very good despite the current financial climate with buyers and browsers from all over the UK and overseas (final figures will be available later this week). “The industry response to Total Print! Expo in its first year has exceeded our expectations and many companies have already rebooked for next year’s show,” says Richard Gayle, Event Director, IIR Exhibitions. “The timing only a few months after Drupa allowed many companies to launch new products to the UK market and the success shows that the decision to focus on the short run print market is absolutely spot on. We will continue to work closely with suppliers and buyers to ensure the event evolves to keep step with industry developments and needs.” Over 100 leading suppliers showcased hundreds of products last week, with more than 30 new systems making their UK debut. In addition, a packed programme of topical seminars and debates gave visitors the opportunity to obtain valuable information about the latest technology, creative applications, environmental legislation and best practice business processes. The broad range of printing technologies and services attracted a wide spectrum of printers and print buyers across the board: commercial, government, inplant, education, retail, and financial. Exhibitor comments - “This was our first presence at Total Print! Expo and in terms of interest in Fuji products, the show didn’t disappoint, with the Jet Press 720 a particular attraction. It was great to get such positive feedback about the press, with the level of interest in the B2 format particularly strong. The show attracted a good mix of visitors, from traditional commercial printers with their origins in litho to large digital printers who prior to this show would probably have never set foot on a Fuji stand.” Graham Leeson, Marketing Manager, Fujifilm - “It’s been fabulous with a huge amount of interest all the time and more leads than ever before. Companies are looking to adding value to their business and we met lots of printers and print management firms who are actively trying to find solutions. People are seriously reassessing their business models which is a great opportunity for our W2P solution.” Marian Stefani, Red Tie - “Total Print Expo was a huge success in that the quality of visitors was spot on and they knew what they were coming to look for. The interest in OKI’s short run solutions was fantastic and we are very positive that we will convert the leads into sales very soon.” Andy Jackson, Account Manager, OKI - “The audience has been high quality with most customers that we spoke to within a procurement cycle. This was demonstrated by us receiving over half a million pounds of equipment sales along with a strong prospect bank for the next 18 months.” Steve Hawkins, Managing Director, Xeretec - “We have had three or four very sizable orders and for a small company like us that is excellent. We have already signed up for the next one, doubling the stand space that we have this year. We just wish there were more hours in the day, we have been that busy.” John Price, Managing Director, Ashgate Digital Finishing Solutions - “We were pleased with the attendance and that we’ve signed some new business. It’s also positive that people have travelled from all over the UK to this event.” Peter Swann, National Sales Manager, Presstek - “We have seen commercial printers looking to invest in digital printing for the first time and design agencies looking to offer their clients value-added print services. We are seeing a steady growth in personalised printing as people see the value it can bring to their business and to their clients. I am confident that we will see a good ROI.” Ben Milford, Canon - “We have seen top notch companies, including high end retailers, from the UK, Portugal, Norway and Germany. If we only converted 10 percent of the leads we have got, it would pay for the show 100 times over!” Andrew Ainge, Managing Director, Blanc Canvas - “We have had a really good show. We launched the Pro C9000 here in a variety of configurations and received an awful lot of interest from a huge cross section of the industry.” Kristiane Bottom, Ricoh - “This is the first time we have exhibited independently and its been absolutely fantastic with huge interest in all our digital finishing solutions. The growth in digital printing has spurred the need for finishing and printers are looking for ways to add value to short run print.” Adrian Brooks, National Products Manager, Murodigital - “We have taken more leads here than at any previous London show. Companies are investing heavily in wire binding solutions to produce added value products such as diaries and personalised calendars which is a massive market at the moment.” Iain Bullock, Managing Director, Renz