The only mobile showroom in the graphic arts industry, the giant Currie Group pantech, opened its doors wide at the Sydney exhibition that opened yesterday.
Loaded with the latest HP Indigo 7800 digital press and supported by a range of Horizon digital finishing kit, including a SmartSlitter, its presence was a defining feature of the show. Throughout the first morning it attracted a steady stream of visitors, quite a few from interstate.
According to Phil Rennell, marketing director, Currie Group, there was nothing unusual about the company attending the signage show; it only illustrates how the printing market is changing.
The amiable Rennell said he’d met with and seen senior managers and CEOs of some of Sydney’s largest printing companies on the first morning. He made the point that Blue Star had its own exhibit at the front of the hall.
He believes the value of trade shows is that they stimulate printers into considering the latest technology advancements and prompts them to explore wider visions of their own business. As industry consolidation and rationalisation continues apace, there are plenty of new companies coming through ready to fill the gaps that no one else is servicing.
He maintains there are as many large signage companies considering a move into sheetfed printing as there are commercial printers looking at the economics of wide format. “It’s about winning a larger share of your customers’ wallet by addressing their needs. Over the next few years printers have to ask themselves ‘how can I become more important to my customer,’” he said.
Running live jobs on the stand allows printers to see how the latest digital print and automated finishing can fit into their business. Despite being the sole sheetfed press exhibitor at the show, Rennell is confident attending Visual Impact is a sound move. “We’re here because we understand the dynamics of the changing market. People are looking for more opportunities to service their customers,” he said.
It also helps that Currie Group has minimal set-up costs at the show thanks to the big mobile showroom. Apart for serving as an exhibition stand at similar exhibitions, it also carries out popular tours throughout the regional areas of Australia and New Zealand bringing the latest equipment to printers who don’t make the trip to the city.
It was staffed by a good complement of Currie Group executives, including Richard Watson, NSW manager and Rayne Simpson.