Ipex 2010 Shows 'Print is Back in Business'
BIRMINGHAM, UK—05/25/10—Professor Frank Romano, international analyst and Ipex ‘Champion in Print’ best summed up the mood of exhibitors and visitors when he declared that “Ipex 2010 has demonstrated that the printing industry is back in business.”
With one day of Ipex 2010 to go, visitor attendance stood at just under 50,000 from 135 countries, excluding over 20,000 exhibitor, agents, dealers, distributor, OEM’s and 500 international media personnel. Most significantly, the international ratio has increased by 8% compared to 2006, with the overall visitor attendance representing 48%. This makes Ipex more international than any other business to business event in the UK.
The largest overseas visitor groups came from France, Germany, Netherlands with a 4% overall increase from Western Europe. Notable increases in attendance levels came from Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa as well as China and India. Exhibitors commented on the high level of personnel seniority from both overseas and UK companies. 77% of attendees were senior managers, company directors and owner/managers.
Trevor Crawford, Ipex 2010 event director, comments: “We’re delighted with the visitor numbers which are roughly in line with 2006, despite considerable industry consolidation. The notable increase in international visitors underlines the importance of Ipex to the printing industry. A far-reaching integrated marketing campaign, including successful international roadshows and a comprehensive co-marketing programme, came together to deliver an international decision-making and buying audience.”
With over 1,000 exhibiting companies from 40 countries, Ipex 2010 provided a spectacular showcase of the best in printing equipment, workflow and consumables. Continues Trevor Crawford: “Here at Ipex 2010, the industry’s leading suppliers certainly inspired visitors with exciting new technology, but we believe Ipex 2010 will be remembered, first and foremost, as the moment when printers showed renewed confidence and moved to invest in the future of their business.”
Record levels of business
Exhibitors reported record levels of business, with tens of millions of pounds worth of deals closed at the show, for both digital and offset technologies. HP surpassed its revenue and lead generation targets as of Day Five. Xerox sold in excess of 100 digital systems at the show. Canon exceeded targets, with 250 production and light production print engines sold, supported by strong solution sales. Konica Minolta’s order intake surpassed expectations, with orders taken during the first three days covering the cost of participation. Heidelberg reported orders for 140 printing units in the UK alone and AGFA generated more than € 25 million worldwide sales. Finishing specialist Duplo lauded Ipex as the company’s most successful show ever, with more than £2 million worth of orders.
Nick Craig Waller, Ipex 2010 Marketing Director says: “Two phrases spearheaded our global campaign for Ipex 2010: Perfect Time, Perfect Place, One Unique Opportunity and Marketing Print’s Potential. Both have resonated extremely well with visitors and exhibitors. Feedback confirms that Ipex has played a key role in re-igniting the global industry and provided the catalyst the market was seeking. While we’ve set our own targets, ultimately, we judge the show on the business results our exhibitors have achieved. By that measure, Ipex has been a tremendous success.”
Over a third of the exhibitor base had never participated in the event, demonstrating how Ipex continues to evolve and attract new companies and reflecting the status of Ipex as an international launch pad to the graphic arts industry. Ipex newcomer, web-to-print company Red Tie has been thrilled with the quality of enquiries, and Israeli digital print supplier Scodix commented on the high volume of sales and have confirmed their attendance at Ipex 2014.
UPEX used machinery dealers also reported a busy and successful show, with organiser Mike Steele commenting: “Dealers reported that visitors are seriously looking to buy and to sell. We have had very positive visitor feedback on the quality being displayed; exhibitors have really raised the bar with the standard of machine and information presentation and stand design.”
Show highlights
At the Opening Ceremony, Trevor Crawford, Ipex 2010 Event Director and George Clarke, Ipex 2010 President and Heidelberg UK MD, paid tribute to the resilience of the industry and the significant technological developments evident at the show. The ceremony also marked the culmination of the Champions in Print initiative, which saw the Ipex Champions presented with an award and honoured for their significant contribution to the industry.
Show features like the Printers’ Profit Zone in association with the Print Coach, Nick Devine (www.theprintcoach.com) and the Great Print Debates (in association with Pira) proved a big hit and played to full houses. Feedback showed that the robust and tangible business advice provided during these sessions was extremely well received by printers. Ipex also hosted a number of high-profile industry events including the PrintIT! awards, Xplor/BAPC seminars, the Digital AdLab meeting, as well as the EDP awards.
At the event’s mid-point, Ipex announced David Preskett, Canon’s European Professional Print Director, as president of Ipex 2014. David will be the first ever Ipex president from the digital community, and will head up a new Ipex Advisory Committee to prepare a world class event which will reflect the needs of the industry in four years time.
Current Ipex President & Managing Director of Heidelberg UK concludes: “This Ipex has been a huge success. It has been busy, had a real vibrancy and shown itself once again to be a truly international event. Visitors have been informed, entertained and shown glimpses of the future. Suppliers with the right products have generated good sales. Ipex came at a fortunate time in the economic and investment cycle and it will be remembered as the Recovery Show, the most important Ipex ever for our industry.”
