The positive vibe at drupa 2016 tells of an innovation-led turnaround for the global print industry, driven in large part by a market awakening to digital.
The 11-day printing fest is over and all reports are pointing to it being a resounding success, with the 1,837 exhibitors from 54 countries citing “excellent business deals concluded in an outstanding investment climate”.
Although the total attendance of 260,000 was down on the 2012 show (over 314,000) organisers say this reflects the worldwide consolidation occurring in the industry.
“Customers – with very few exceptions – no longer come with large delegations or as part of a company outing to drupa. It is rather the top managers that travel to Düsseldorf today. Approximately 75% of all visitors are executives and in a decisive and or co-decisive capacity when it comes to capital expenditure in their companies," the show organiser said. Survey results showed:
- 54% of visitors came to drupa 2016 with concrete investment intentions
- 29% placed orders during drupa
- 30% are planning to place their orders after drupa
- 60% found new suppliers at drupa
HP Graphics Solutions, which had the largest stand at the show, experienced the best attendance at any drupa ever.
Francois Martin, worldwide marketing director HP Graphics Solutions Business, said: “ Sales not only surpassed 2012 results by 20%, but exceeded our 2016 ambitious goals by 25% overall.
“drupa continues to be the most relevant industry event for innovation, and HP is committed to keep reinventing to help our customers reinvent their own possibilities, ensuring that drupa 2020 is better than we could imagine.”
Chairman of Landa Group, Benny Landa commented: “drupa 2016 will be remembered as the inflection point in the industry’s transition from mechanical printing to digital.
“In the past, digital printing vendors had to try to convince the market that digital is the way to go. Previously it was a ‘push’ selling motion. Now, for the first time, the situation has reversed. There is a very strong ‘pull’ from the market, driven by both customers and brand-owners, who are now demanding digital printing.
“It seems that the market leaders – in packaging, commercial printing and in publishing – have come to the realisation that they simply must go digital. For Landa Digital Printing, this market awakening has been particularly rewarding, as reflected in the substantial number of orders which we took at drupa.
Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO of Bobst, said: “The industries we serve today are searching for drastic productivity improvement through innovations, services and people relationship. Moreover the digitalisation of the packaging supply chain is paving the way for the future. “
