The latest issue of Print21 magazine is the definitive drupa review with 20-pages of news reports, technology information and Australia and New Zealand industry personalities at the greatest printing show on earth.
drupa 2016 was a phenomenally successful printing exhibition and technology showcase. The Print21 team of editors and journalists was on the ground in the huge Messe Düsseldorf to report daily on the breaking news and events that defined the iconic exhibition.
Now the latest issue of Print21 magazine provides the authoritative wrap-up of the show. Packed full of stories and insights into the state of the printing industry in 2016, it’s required reading for everyone who cares about printing.
Read it online here, or sign up for your own printed copy.
- Karen Goldsmith, general manager Visual Connections congratulated Andy McCourt, editor Print21 on his informative and entertaining presentation.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Lithographic Association of Australia (NSW) held it’s traditional drupa review night at the North Ryde RSL in Sydney. A top line-up of industry personalities and experts reinforced the LIA’s role as the primary organisation for the dissemination of industry knowledge.
With Warwick Roden as MC contributing his own impressions of the show, Andy McCourt, Print21 editor and industry consultant, kicked off the show with a wide ranging review that identified the key developments that are shaping the industry, from Benny Landa’s new Nanography to hybrid printing, digital finishing to 3D printing. With lot of videos and wry asides he set the light-hearted but informative tone of the evening. He even had pictures of the fire that burned down a drupa hall that was housing refugees.
Phil Rennell, sales and marketing director, Currie Group was up next with a insightful take on the amazing HP hall and the success of the industry’s largest supplier. As the HP Indigo agent for the local, market Currie Group has elevated Australia and New Zealand to the top rank in the world for installations of the leading digital press. He ranged far and wide over the number of brands and agencies the company represents that were at drupa, including Horizon and Scodix.
Next up was ‘newbie’ Roger Labrum, a comparative recent addition to Fuji Xerox, who was suffering from being awake for 25 hours with a bad case of jetlag. The solutions marketing manager revealed the long-awaited launch of the iGen5 in Australia is set for August this year. He also talked about the increasing diversity of the Fuji Xerox portfolio with the Durst Tau330 digital label press also coming this way in August. Whether we see the Brenva press and Rialto cutsheet technology in the local market is still undecided.
Raj Chandiok, general manager graphics, Ricoh gave an overview of its stand, illustrated by more videos. He made the point that Ricoh is looking beyond its own technologies and traditional cut sheet products, taking on board such products as EFI Vutek wide-format and its own developed 3D printing. He gave a rundown on the top of the range Ricoh Pro VC6000 inkjet, which prints at a blistering 150mpm.
Paul Whitehead, Canon product manager, took the stage after Warwick Roden revealed he’s leaving Australia for a post in Canon HQ Europe in Venlo. Later Paul told me he’s been appointed international marketing manager, wide-format. Congratulations! His take on drupa was candid and informative having been one of the few corporate presenters able to escape from the company stands. Like everyone else he was impressed by the scope of inkjet development, generous in assigning technical ability to all suppliers and speculating on where it’s all going to lead.
Finally, Wayne Robinson, editor of Australian Printer and ProPrint, took up the challenge of the graveyard shift by giving a wrap up of the trends he sees as defining the recent show. Notably he was sceptical of Benny Landa’s hype, comparing the real with the supposed, like any good journalist.
The stalwarts of the LIA are to be congratulated on the success of the night and the ongoing engagement of the Association and its role in the technical and social activities of the industry. Mitch Mulligan, Grant Churchill and Mike Williams were on hand throughout the evening and Angus Scott gave thanks to the speakers. Without such dedicated industry professionals the printing industry would be a lot poorer.
- Well done the LIA speakers: (from left) Roger Ludrum, Fuji Xerox, Paul Whitehead, Canon, Raj Chanicok, Ricoh, Phil Rennell, Currie Group, Wayne Robinson, Proprint, and Andy McCourt, Print21.
