Are you ready for the big show?
Promising visitors that they can touch the future, the print exhibition marathon that is drupa will take place in Düsseldorf from 31 May to 10 June. Neel Madsen looks ahead to see what’s in store for the packaging printer.
Yes drupa is upon us and looking at the programme, it is clear that packaging will feature in a major way. Come the end of May, some 1500 exhibitors from 50 different countries will fill the 19 exhibition halls at the 16th global print and cross-media trade fair in Düsseldorf. We will be publishing a full preview in the next issue, which you can also pick up at the show.
Packaging production is one of the ‘highlight’ themes, which will be in focus at dedicated ‘Touchpoints’. It will have a dedicated space of 240 square metres in hall 12, where four futuristic working laboratories will display case studies, the latest packaging design and future concepts. According to the organisers, this special show within the show will ‘reveal how future packaging and design will deliver additional value, initiatives and growth opportunities for brand owners, agencies, print service providers and buyers, product and packaging experts.’
In support of the themes, the drupa cube will feature a conference programme of presentations from industry leaders, innovators and analysts promising ‘a glimpse into the future of print.’ Keynote speakers include Frans Johansson,
CEO and founder of The Medici Group, Silas Amos, a creative strategist and expert who works with many global brands, and Shane Wall, global CTO of HP Enterprise.
Also in the cube so to speak, Maarten Hummelen, CEO of GSE Dispensing, and Søren Maarssø, CEO of Tresu Group, will be giving a presentation on ink logistics and lean workflow. Dominic Cakebread, head of packaging consultancy at SmithersPira, will talk on prospects for printing in the packaging market, while Sean Smyth (also SmithersPira) will be moderating what has been called a ‘gladiator session’ on digital vs flexo in packaging and point of sale markets. There will also be talks on printed electronics, smart packaging, augmented reality, as well as guidance given on how to get into new markets and growing your business.
A walk in the park
Another aspect of the show is the drupa innovation park (snappily titled ‘dip!) which is decribed as a global innovation platform. Here some 130 international exhibitors will present their innovations and market-ready solutions – at their own stands, in interviews in the ‘dip! energy lounge’, and in the stage programme.
The park is divided into six themes: multi-channel publishing and marketing solutions; web to media and e-commerce; process optimisation and automation; added value in print; innovations in printing technologies; and business models.
The ‘adding value’ theme is one that could offer packaging printers some great insights into how to make more revenue. It has a focus on finishing, further development and forward-looking added value print products. These include innovative substrates, innovations in finishing and refining, packaging, label printing and displays, green printing and secure printing applications.
‘Optimisation and automation’ is equally of value and it is worth looking into what is on offer here. It covers subjects like MIS, ERP, print automation with JDF/JMF, workflow management from pre-press to finishing, process and quality control systems, industrial robots and automation technologies.
In the pavilion
Picon is setting up shop in four pavilions where 21 of its member companies will be exhibiting. Covering almost 600 square metres, across four halls, the Picon Pavilions showcase Best of British companies offering a variety of specialist equipment and services spanning pre-press, printing, finishing and ancillaries.
The companies participating include Alphasonics, Applied Laser Engineering (ALE), BCS, Compact Foilers, CyanX, Dies Direct, Edale, FFEI, Focus Label Machinery, Heights (UK), Imprint Business Systems, Infigo Software, Magnesium Elektron, ManMat, Profoil, RK Print Coat Instruments, Rollem, Security Foiling, SF Services, Troika Systems and Victory Lighting.
‘The fact that we have 21 companies participating in the Picon Pavilions at drupa, including several for the first time, indicates the optimism of UK manufacturers and eagerness to build their export markets,’ said chairman Robert Flather. ‘While much has changed in the print industry since the last show four years ago, there is much to be excited about, and drupa gives our members the opportunity to exhibit cutting edge technology which ensures print remains current and competitive. It’s encouraging to see that many are unveiling new developments and all are seeking to expand their international sales by forging new distribution partnerships.’
Reporting on print
Ahead of the show, drupa has been publishing a number of Global Trends reports. These track key economic and market developments in the global print industry over the period leading to the event and beyond.
The third report is based on surveys conducted with printers and suppliers in October 2015. There were 892 printers participating, the majority (552) of which were from Europe. The equivalent numbers for suppliers were 355 in total; 216 from Europe.
The executive summary explained the main findings thus, ‘Last year we reported an almost universally positive picture of printers’ own economic confidence, even though the more detailed results did not always support that view. This year the picture is subtler with North America confident and Europe recovering steadily, but many of the other regions, whilst still positive overall, express significantly more caution than last year.’
Visitors from all over the world will be able to see some 1500 exhibitors in Düsseldorf
Regarding the different print markets, it said, ‘Those printers serving the functional and packaging markets remain very positive for the future, but those serving the commercial market were cautious and those serving the publishing market even more so. In other words, for this year’s results we need in part to look past the ‘global all markets’ results and view the results at a more granular regional and market level.’
Having said that, those surveyed indicated that revenue, prices and margins are going up, and 37% of printers and 41% of suppliers described current company economic condition as good, compared with just 12% and 16% as poor. And looking ahead 50% of printers and 54% of suppliers expect their company to improve in 2016.
In terms of investment in print technology for the packaging market, flexo is still leading the way representing 30%, with sheetfed offset close behind at 26% and digital at 17%.
About the uptake of digital print for packaging, the report said, ‘In general terms most packaging printers report healthy market conditions, so the pressure to change is less. Nevertheless 28% of packaging printers worldwide are now actively selling digital print (up 5% on last year). Of those, 18% reported strong demand for digital packaging, up 8% in the year. There is fairly widespread adoption of added value packaging, although for most it is still a small minority of SKUs that demand such services as variable content, personalisation, security features and interactive packaging.’
How to grow
Complementing the trends reports are the Global Insights reports, the second of which was published in November 2015 and entitled ‘Touch the future – applications that can create growth.’
There were 741 printers (196 from the packaging industry) from around the world participating in the survey conducted for this report, which examined four markets: commercial, publishing, packaging and functional with a total of 26 different applications. This again showed good growth in the packaging print market with an average annual increase in turnover of $181,000.
The report examined the global market drivers by looking at changes in demographics, economics and technology to see how these influence the print market. Demographic factors include everything from literacy and migration to trade flows and consumers’ lifestyles, behaviour and spending, e-commerce trends and global advertising.
In terms of technology, the report commented on the changing world and the role of print, saying, ‘Manufacturing of print or any other product has entered a new age. A broad range of complex and interconnected factors is driving the shifts in design, manufacturing and distribution of goods. They include advances in digital technologies, data management, automation, climate change and market demands. The consequence is a shift towards design, innovation and production processes that are increasingly fast, open, collaborative and responsive.’
The central thesis of the report is that ‘print will play an essential role in communications across the globe if the industry adapts its products and services to the changing demands of consumers.’ Backed up by the statistics gathered in the survey, it offers a detailed analysis of how to implement successful print applications, examining the planning, integration, marketing and ‘pulling it all together’ stages.
Ready, set, go!
With this wealth of information available in advance, visitors can arrive at the show well prepared and ready to seek out new opportunities that will give them that unique selling point that can set them apart.
We all know how big this event is and going without a plan may mean that you miss out on the best bits or simply run out of steam half way through. In our next issue, we will present the highlights we know about to help guide you if you are visiting, or simply to keep you up to date with developments. Even so, there will no doubt be a plethora of surprises in store. It is up to you to decide whether they can work for your business or not.
