Business - Events

The Ipex organisers have revealed the final line-up of companies that will participate at the Ipex 2010 Media Summit, which will take place from 7th – 11th February at the ExCeL Centre in London. Canon Europe, C.P. Bourg, Domino Printing Sciences, Fujifilm Europe, Océ, Pitney Bowes, Red Tie, Ricoh and Xerox will give journalists from over 100 global publications an exclusive preview on what they will showcase at Ipex 2010.

In addition to presentations from exhibitors, the Ipex organisers will also update the media on the current shape of the event as well as new visitor features and initiatives. There will also be a presentation from Pira International about The Great Print Debates at Ipex 2010 - a panel debate that will tackle some of the most critical issues facing the print industry today. Nick Devine, the Print Coach, will be talking about the new seminar sessions at the Printers’ Profit Zone at Ipex 2010.

Comments Trevor Crawford, Ipex 2010 Event Director: “We’re delighted with the level of interest in the Summit from exhibitors and the tremendous commitment from the international media. In holding the event we’re able to further support our exhibitors in targeting the media with their key messages and providing the press with an exciting preview of what Ipex 2010 has in store.“

Jan Hol, Océ’s Senior Vice-President, Marketing Communications, says: "In light of the envisaged transaction between Océ and Canon, we expect strong interest from the media. Océ's presentation will focus on highlights of the envisaged deal and will provide an overview on our latest inkjet and toner based solution highlights for full colour high volume production printing. And we also anticipate making an important announcement on the day that will be of interest to visitors to Ipex!”

Graham Moore, Director of Business Development, Production Printing Business Group at Ricoh, says: “We see the Media Summit as a major platform from which we can reach the wider European production print marketplace with a demonstration of the forward strides Ricoh is making.”

Ronald van Hees, Director of Marketing at Pitney Bowes DMTi Europe, states: “We are enormously excited by Ipex and see February's Media Summit as an ideal opportunity to begin the buzz around Pitney Bowes' presence at the event.

"Pitney Bowes' Ipex 2010 focus is on the integration of print and mail, demonstrating how bringing these two functions together can create significant efficiencies and more optimised ways of working. Key to this integration is Pitney Bowes' new IntelliJet Printing System - a new production colour printing system for high-volume transactional mailers that is already gaining headlines across Europe and North America.

"With the addition of the IntelliJet Printing System to the Pitney Bowes portfolio, the Pitney Bowes stand will be the only place that Ipex visitors can see solutions that play across the entire full integrity end-to-end output management, production colour digital printing and Mailstream production process.

“The Ipex 2010 Media Summit will come at a crucial time in our preparations for Ipex, as it offers a great opportunity to network and to communicate our plans at the show to an international audience.”

Daniel Vande Poel, Managing Director at C.P. Bourg Group says: “We have chosen to participate in the Ipex International Media Summit as part of our core marketing strategy. Although the company has been a leading supplier of print finishing equipment for nearly 50 years, for much of that time many of its products have been sold under other labels through partners such as Xerox, HP Indigo, Kodak and Océ, Heidelberg and Canon. With thousands of users of Bourg equipment benefiting from the in-line solutions, C.P. Bourg Group is now adding focus on marketing its own brand through its global distribution network.”

“At the Ipex Media Summit we’ll outline Xerox’s plans for the show which includes technology advancements and enhancements, workflow and business development solutions – all geared to help graphic communications providers succeed in an ever-changing business environment,” says Eric Armour, President, Global Business Group at Xerox. “Our presentation will also feature customers from around the world discussing how they are growing business and generating new revenue opportunities with Xerox technology and services. Xerox’s all-digital stand promises to be an exciting place at Ipex 2010.”

Agfa Graphics, in partnership with Global Imaging, announced today that the :Anapurna Mw UV Inkjet printer will be demonstrated at the 2010 FASTSIGNS® Vendor Show (Booth 700) January 29th -31st, 2010, at the Austin Convention Center. Global Imaging is Agfa’s newest national wide-format partner, with over 14-years of experience selling fully integrated systems into the sign and digital market.

"The teams at Global Imaging and Agfa are focused on helping clients address their business challenges before recommending equipment, thereby laying the groundwork for a successful and profitable investment. This year's FASTSIGNS Vendor Show is an opportunity for these businesses to refocus and gain information on the newest technologies that will aid in the economic recovery. This is exciting for the industry and a great way to start the year," said Michael White, Wide-format Sales Manager, Agfa North America.

Agfa's current portfolio of inkjet solutions provides a wide spectrum of capabilities that extend beyond traditional sign and display applications with higher speed and higher quality at an affordable investment. The all-new :Anapurna Mw adds single-pass pre-white and multi-pass post-white to the :Anapurna M series. This creates new possibilities for printing on transparent material and backlit applications or printing white as a spot color. The combination of photographic reproduction quality with white functionality makes the :Anapurna Mw a standout in the marketplace.

In addition to selling these great new printers, Global Imaging can assist FASTSIGNS franchise stores with selling their current equipment to make room for new technologies through their Global Garage division. Today, the Global Garage is the premier marketplace for print professionals wishing to buy, sell or find quality used commercial printer equipment.

FESPA’s second Economy Survey shows that the wide format printing community is moving on from the defensive survival tactics of 2009, using innovative and proactive sales and operational strategies to improve its business fortunes moving into 2010. 70.2% of respondents had used new products or processes in their operations to help them through the economic downturn, with 61.5% adding products to their portfolio, and 60.6% entering new markets.

The second Economy Survey was conducted by FESPA in the fourth quarter of 2009, in partnership with global research experts InfoTrends. It shows that the community’s outlook entering 2010 is broadly optimistic. More than a fifth of the respondents questioned at the end of 2009 thought the market was already recovering, and more than half expect recovery to previous levels by the end of 2010. Conversely, the Survey clearly summarizes the impact of the downturn in the wide format market. 93.1% of the 217 respondents agree that there has been an economic downturn in the industry, with 56.4% viewing 2009 as the worst year they have ever seen.

The mean level of business decline reported is 15%; however, the community is polarised, with 21.1% experiencing no loss in business activity and another 20.7% showing a decline of 25% or more. Manufacturers and resellers report the same average decline as print service providers (PSPs), underscoring the industry’s tightly connected supply chain.

The competitive landscape is in a state of flux, with 65.6% of those surveyed reporting that competitors had consolidated or gone out of business, 43.1% indicating that competitors are moving into other markets or offering new services, 33% experiencing new competition from other segments of the printing industry, and 22% seeing customers take some wide format work in house. Price pressure is also unrelenting, with 60.6% being price compared more frequently by new and existing customers. This may be reflected in the fact that 33% have themselves been aggressive with financing and payment terms, and 23% have more aggressively used rebates and price promotions. Strain on the supply chain is not restricted to price, with three quarters of respondents citing intensified pressure on production speeds or turnaround times.

FESPA’s Marcus Timson comments: “The FESPA Economy Survey, first undertaken in Spring 2009, sets out to measure the impact of the economic downturn on the wide format community, and to understand how PSPs are responding to the challenging trading conditions. These latest findings stress the need for printers to offer services that stand apart from commoditized print offerings. As our FESPA 2010 ‘Catch the Wave of Innovation’ campaign highlights, in tough economic times innovation can be a key competitive advantage and survival skill. Cutting prices to match the shop across town is not the answer. Printers will thrive when they offer services and solutions that help customers execute their marketing and retail campaigns more effectively.”

Along with service and market expansion and new sales strategies, the survey points to a gradual refocus on developing and retaining ‘human capital’. 22.9% of respondents have expanded their sales force, and talent retention would seem to be a priority in anticipation of an eventual upturn, with respondents preferring to cut staff hours or reduce pay rather than resorting to losing valued individuals.

While survival mode has diluted the industry’s environmental focus, with 59.6% stating that environmentally sustainable production was less important as a result of the economic downturn, a remarkable 40.4% of respondents reported that the economic backdrop has not made ‘planet-friendly’ printing any less important. A fifth of respondents use sustainability as a point of competitive differentiation, suggesting that there are opportunities to innovate in this area, which more PSPs may seize as the economic outlook continues to improve.

Tim Greene, Director, Wide Format & Jetting Technologies at InfoTrends comments: “The economic downturn has accelerated demand for higher service levels, so it’s important for PSPs to be flexible in responding to profitable opportunities. While the requirement for faster and more capable equipment has become a given in the wide format market, the research tells us that new markets and new application areas are what most respondents are looking for during this economic downturn.”

“This industry is essentially symbiotic,” concludes Greene. “Innovation from suppliers can help PSPs to develop proactive growth strategies and achieve success, which in turn leads to improved business for those suppliers. In this way, innovation can create a virtuous circle, making focused events such as FESPA 2010 a vital catalyst to future growth.”

For more information or a copy of the FESPA Economy Survey, please contact Marcus Timson at marcus.timson@fespa.com or visit www.fespa2010.com

EFI, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced the keynote speakers for the 11th annual Connect users' conference taking place April 18 to April 21 at the Wynn Las Vegas - Robert Tapella and Joan B. Davidson. The complete schedule of over 120 break-out sessions is also now available online at www.efi.com/connect including "best-practices" discussions and valuable training opportunities for EFI Monarch (Hagen), Pace, PrintSmith, Logic and PSI. Additionally, product demonstrations and educational sessions will cover EFI Fiery, VUTEk and Jetrion solutions.

Robert Tapella is the nation's 25th Public Printer and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Government Printing Office. Responsible for more than $1 billion in print-related revenue, Tapella will share his print industry insight based on his experience overseeing production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government. He will address the conference on opening night, Sun., April 18th.

On Tues. morning April 20th, attendees will hear from Joan B. Davidson, Group President of Sheridan Publications Services at The Sheridan Group, and recent recipient of the prestigious NAPL Soderstrom Award. Davidson will share a wealth of in-depth knowledge of operational efficiency improvements gleaned from industry experience that includes her recent tenure as Chairman of the NAPL Board of Directors.

"We're excited for Connect attendees to hear from these two great industry insiders, and to take away valuable insights and lessons they can apply in their own roles," said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, EFI. "Keynote presentations are just one part of the Connect experience - leaders from around the globe can attend in-depth educational sessions, test drive the latest EFI products and industry vendor offerings, voice their opinions at user group meetings, discuss industry trends, and network with peers, all while enjoying the luxurious Wynn Las Vegas at a special rate of $169 a night. Connect is an excellent opportunity for print providers to position their business for the months and quarters to come."

Sheila Morgan, owner of Lipps Printing in New Orleans, said: "During a downturn in the economy, we attend Connect to look for the next thing we can do to make things better, to prepare our business. There's always something we learn -- the interaction with other users, other owners and the EFI staff is invaluable."

This year's conference will also host the first annual Connect Auction. The live auction will be held during the sponsors' appreciation reception on Mon., April 19th, and will feature over 50 items including everything from add-on software and consulting services to a new management system. Most items will be offered with a very low reserve or with no reserve at all. Auction items will be provided by EFI and participating partners and a portion of all proceeds will go to the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF).

For more information on Connect 2010 and to register, go to www.efi.com/connect

 

The brand new Ipex 2010 Knowledge Centre has been greeted enthusiastically by a wide range of not-for-profit organisations around the world. Designed to heighten the visitor experience and maximise time at the event, the Knowledge Centre provides an easily accessible information hub where visitors can seek advice from trade association about memberships, pensions, industry accreditation, best industry practice as well as educational matters.

Says Trevor Crawford, Event Director for Ipex 2010: “The reaction to the Knowledge Centre has been extremely positive and we’re delighted with the calibre of names that have signed up to exhibit. The features and initiatives at Ipex have become one of Ipex’s cornerstones that offer opportunities for learning and finding cost-reducing and profit-making answers. Nowhere else can you as easily investigate and compare, review and analyse business issues to gain that all important competitive edge.”

He continues: “All Knowledge Centre partners will receive a small exhibition pod which is fully equipped with furniture and electrics. All they need to provide is someone to look after visitors and bring their own display material. There’re only a handful of pods left so we would urge other not-for-profit organisations that are interested in exhibiting to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Leading trade bodies already confirmed on the floor plan include: the Asian Flexographic Technical Association; the Forest Stewardship Counsel (FSC); the Ghent Workgroup; the Independent Print Industries Associations (IPIA); the International Print Purchasing Standards Association (iPPSA); the London College of Communication; the National Association of Paper Merchants (NAPM); the Printers Charitable Corporation; PrintIT!; Printing Industries Association of Australia; the Printing Industry Pension Scheme (PIPS); Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC); National Association of Paper Merchants (NAPM); the Welsh Centre of Printing & Coating.

Andrew Bartlett, Chairman of the iPPSA comments: “The Ipex 2010 Knowledge Centre is a great new idea and will be the ideal route for us to reach a wider international audience. People, information and knowledge are companies’ most valuable assets and the key to their future prosperity. The Knowledge Centre provides the perfect platform to learn about better practices and new ways to do business. Everyone is looking to boost their business and this area should stimulate minds and positive change.”

Attached to the feature will be a seminar theatre in which participating organisations can book presentation slots via a centralised booking system. These sessions will last 30 minutes and are free-of-charge for visitors to attend. The Ipex organisers will promote the Knowledge Centre feature, including the presentations globally in the run up to the event as well as during each day at the show. Check out the latest programme at www.ipex.org/knowledge

Not-for-profit organisations who would like to be considered for the Ipex 2010 Knowledge Centre feature can apply directly to Peter Orford at porford@iirx.co.uk or phone him on +44 (0)20 337 73384.

NEW show features announced - now even more reason to register now!

With the festive season well and truly upon us, preparations are well underway for Sign & Digital UK 2010.

Along with the new-look website, online registration has also gone live with a number of important names already set to attend – why not join the likes of Waitrose, Ikea, Derbyshire County Council, Signs Express, Hampshire County Council, Crown Paints, NHS Trust, Hawes Signs, Halbro Sportswear, McCann Erickson, Victoria and Albert Museum, C3 imaging, Fast Signs, Alphagraphics, Apollo Screenprint and many more for the UK’s premier sign making and digital printing event - Register for FREE admission now by clicking here, it only takes a minute!

Why register? Apart from the number of unique opportunities that the show provides such as FREE admission, queue jumping, regular updates, meeting the industries top suppliers, seeing the hottest new products & services, expert advice, getting inspiration to get more value from your equipment, ideas for creating new revenue streams and a number of FREE seminars, including the recently announced Software Theatre, Apple and Corel seminars - you will also automatically be entered into our FREE visitor competition. The details will be announced in the New Year but rest assured it will be well worth the wait. In 2009 the 3 winners and their guests were whisked off to the British Grand Prix where they were treated to a weekend of VIP motor racing. Looking for a deal? Then the NEW ‘Special Offers’ page on the website will be of particular interest where you can print out all the  hot show deals that exhibitors will be offering onsite. Register now for FREE admission.

Show Features! With Adobe already confirmed, the team are pleased to announce that Apple will be returning along with Corel who will be presenting their popular seminars in 2010. With a number of new ideas and initiatives planned for 2010 we can reveal one of the new show features will be the Software Theatre. Here you will be able to ‘ask the experts’ about the latest wide range of software available to the industry! Keep your eyes peeled for the next newsletter that will contain more information on the latest new features and further details on the Software Theatre. 

Latest Exhibitor News! With the demand for stand space high and the exhibitor list filling up: Alcan Composities, Axyz Automation, Carmo, Caldera Graphics,Doro Tape, Delcam, Expand International, Fujifilm Sericol, Graphtec, Grafityp,  Granthams Harman Technology, Hexis UK, Hybrid Services / Mimaki, InkTec, Innova Soloutions,  Europe, Mouse, Omnijet, Plex Display, Printmax, Robert Horne Group, Roland DG (UK, ) Signwaves, Spirit Displays, Touch Systems, Triangle Wide Format Inks, Ultima Displays, William Smith and Xpres are just a sample of those exhibiting. In addition the team would like to welcome the following new exhibitors to the show: AgripaFlex, Elements Trade, Eurobond Adhesives, Isik Plastik, Keramikos, Print United, Space Displays, The Allsigns Group, Trade Sign Supplies and Vistech Technical Services.