Business News
PICON confirms for The Print Show 2018 as leading finishing brands prepare for technology showcase
Tuesday 24. July 2018 - Leading print industry trade body PICON has thrown its support behind The Print Show 2018 by confirming it will exhibit at the event, while a number of leading finishing brands have set out their plans for this years show.
The Print Show 2018, which will take place from September 18th to 20th at the NEC in Birmingham, is set to be the biggest ever edition of the event. The show will run in Hall 9 of the NEC and feature a wide selection of leading exhibitors from across the industry.
PICON will exhibit for the first time at the show in what will be the organisations 100th anniversary year. The body represents suppliers of printing machinery and paper machinery manufacturers and converters, with 16 of its members having already booked to have stands at the show and a 17th attending to support a partner company.
Bettine Pellant, chief executive of PICON, said the body felt that now is the time to give its support to The Print Show, with plans to use its stand as a hospitality lounge and allow visitors to network with other attendees.
“Supporting members at trade shows is an important part of our service,” Pellant said. “Since its launch in 2015 The Print Show has grown and flourished, covering traditional and new technologies, and we feel the time is right to give it our support.
“Our stand (D60) will be a hospitality lounge where members exhibiting or visiting can rest, recuperate and network.
“PICON would like to increase its presence at trade shows when we can see a real opportunity to offer effective support for our members. We will run a UK Pavilion at Drupa in 2020 and we continue to help promote our members elsewhere when there are promising home or export sales opportunities.”
Chris Davies, event director for The Print Show, added: “Its fantastic to have the support of a leading trade organisation like PICON. I have been working with the PICON team for a number of years and appreciate how much they will bring to the show.”
Finishing the job with quality
Elsewhere, those visiting The Print Show this year will be treated to one of the strongest line-ups of finishing technology in the history of the event. Friedheim International, Duplo, Watkiss Automation and Morgana Systems are among the leading names already confirmed for September.
Friedheim has revealed plans for a focused approach at the show, which includes a showing of the new Zechini Iota compact machine that attaches the front and rear end papers onto the book block lining band. Running in combination with this will be the Roby Junior 2 case maker.
Friedheim will demonstrate the Komfi Delta 52 industrial B2 laminator, which will be running at a top speed of 35m/min. In addition, the firm will display samples and products that some of its 28 manufacturers have produced within the Printers Bazaar section of the event, which it will be sponsoring.
Stuart Bamford, national post press manager at Friedheim, said: “Weve always seen The Print Show as a positive vehicle for growth in the industry and what better way to show our support than to be the official sponsors of the Printers Bazaar.
“Were hoping that the atmosphere and the sample heavy stand will be more beneficial to printers who are eager to get a look at the enormous range of finished products that they can achieve with the right equipment.”
Elsewhere, Watkiss plans to show off the PSQ160-WH, the latest addition to the PowerSquare booklet maker range, on its stand at The Print Show 2018 as it seeks to draw interest from both potential and existing customers.
Paul Attew, sales director at Watkiss, said: “Booklet making adds value to print, it completes the job and increases revenue which is why exhibition visitors are always interested in the latest technologies.
“We will be showing an expanded portfolio of booklet making products and, with our core focus on combining optimum book quality with robust and reliable performance, we will be showing solutions for many different customer groups.”
Duplo will also use The Print Show to debut a number of new finishing solutions but is keeping details of this kit under wraps for the time being. However, Duplo has revealed that it will once again demonstrate its DuSense Sensory coater after a successful showing at last years event.
Andy Benson, managing director of Duplo UK, comments: “Duplos main goal is to demonstrate how we can help add value to print. Of course we will show some of our latest products as well as enhancements to some our current favourites.”
In addition Morgana will be back at The Print Show for the fourth consecutive year and will treat visitors to a showing of its finishing solutions.