LIVE FROM IPEX briefing in Birmingham UK – Andy McCourt

Andy McCourt: It might be chilly here in Birmingham UK right now but come April the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) will be running hot, not just with ground-breaking graphic technologies but with ideas and themes to promote print in the unique ‘INNOV8’ theatre, described by exhibition director Trevor Crawford as a “Theatre if inspirational ideas in Print.”

IPEX organizer IIR Exhibitions went to the global print market to research what visitors and exhibitors really want and came up with INNOV8 – a purpose-built 200-seat theatre offering daily briefings, presentations and debates charting the future course of the industry. Keynote speakers already booked include Heidelberg ceo Bernhard Schreier and Kodak President Antonio M Perez. Other sponsors include HP, MAN Roland and Xerox. Each day focuses on a specific geographic region and technology sector with Friday 7th April designated as ‘Australia Day.’

“More than 35 per cent of IPEX visitors in 2002 were international,” said Crawford, “and we fully expect a sharp rise in this number for 2006. With 90 per cent of available space sold five months ahead of opening, there is no doubt this will be the most successful IPEX ever. 25 per cent of our exhibitors are totally new to the show.”

Other IPEX initiatives that go beyond floorspace include free technical training sessions in conjunction with the British Printing Industries Federation, a special MIS/JDF area, a dedicated large-format zone and a paper zone. The NEC is sparkling with a new coat of paint and a $100 million upgrade to halls – the total of which are the size of five or six PacPrints. For 2006, the layout of IPEX has been re-thought to be as visitor-friendly as possible, reflecting the end-to-end nature of the industry and compacting the exhibit area to minimize distances between areas of interest.

There are a thousand stories in Print City

PrintCity – a co-operation between 40 industry suppliers including MAN Roland, Sun Chemical (Coates Bros), Bobst, Megtec, UPM paper, Sappi, Reeves and others, will take Hall 1 and present a fully-functional JDF/CIP4 integrated production ‘factory’ for packaging and commercial print under the banner ‘Smarter PrintWorks.’ Industry veteran John Dangelmaier, president of PrintCity emphasized this area is all about practical demonstration in a real-world environment, “If PrintCity visitors want to proceed to talk about buying equipment, our members also have representation in the main part of IPEX for this purpose. PrintCity is all about networking, consulting and partnership and producing high-value innovative printing.”

PrintCity members Larry Lampert of Sun Chemical and Eric Ohls of UPM paper, when asked about forthcoming steep price rises on consumables noted that PrintCity helps printers look for adding value to the end-product and reducing costs. “Printers need to do more than print,” commented Lampert, “and just a one per cent reduction in wastage can have a big effect on profitability.” It looks like those price rises are inevitable though, straight from the largest ink and paper suppliers. At a time when competitive (electronic) media is coming down in price, more expensive printing does not make a lot of sense.

Australian idea helps UK printers

A presentation by Cicely Brown of the BPIF (counterpart to PIAA), featured a quote from no less a person than Print21 columnist James Cryer, concerning print awards: “There are many other dimensions other than mere print quality that will become the drivers of the long-term success and viability which our industry seeks.” For that, our James was criticized by some but lo and behold, the BPIF has listened (and also by the way implemented their own Print 21 initiative based on the Australian model,) and has initiated achievement-based awards recognizing businesses that improve their profits, cut their wastage, develop new markets in digital print, e-business and so on. Not a screen ruling or quality-based criteria to be seen! The awards will be held during IPEX and –get this – there is the IPEX International Company of the Year Award open to the whole world. Anyone can enter so get cracking with your pitch on www.bpifawards2006.com .

The Brits have beaten us to this one and it was our idea! As Picon (IPEX owners) ceo John Brazier said; “We were prepared to take the leap of faith.” How about a re-think of the NPAs folks?

Whatever the British printing industry is doing, it’s working. Average nett profit after tax has increased from a low 3.27 per cent in 2003 to 4.25 per cent in 2004, and it’s going up. The sector’s turnover grew 6.2 per cent between 1999 and 2004 – against a 1.9 per cent decline for Germany. 12.5 per cent growth is forecast for 2004-09 and if this is achieved, the UK industry will eclipse Germany as Europe’s largest.

By collaborating with industry associations, government, manufacturers and visitors in a partnership environment, IPEX has achieved something of a milestone in that the April 2006 show is more likely to communicate clear ideas on how to stay in business and increase productivity and profits, rather than just ‘showcase the latest technologies.’

As Pira (Printing Industry Research Association) chief Mike Hancock noted in his ‘Future of Print’ presentation: “Technology is not the driver for change – it’s the enabler.” He also identifies a whole list of what he calls ‘disruptive technologies’ and these will be described in a feature in the next Print21 magazine.

IPEX 2006 is a truly different kind of show and will be well worth the trip if you want to change your business for the better.