Press release submitted on behalf of drupa

Global print industry shows increasing confidence across almost all markets and regions despite economic headwinds

The 9^th drupa Global Trends Report, to be published middle of November 2023, is a clear statement of increasing confidence across almost all regions and markets. For the coming year, printers and suppliers alike expect an even better development. Good signs for drupa 2024.

The results come from the extensive online survey of the 9^th Global Trends Report, which was conducted this spring by Printfuture (UK) and Wissler (Switzerland). More than 600 international decision-makers took part.

Globally, 32% more printers and suppliers described their company’s economic condition as “‘good” compared with those reporting it as “poor”. Among printers, almost all regions and markets were more optimistic than in 2019, i.e. before the Covid pandemic.

Richard Gray, Operations Director at Printfuture, stated: “While positive forecasts might be expected from Packaging and Functional printers, what was pleasing was the increasing confidence amongst Commercial and Publishing printers.” It seems that commercial and publishing printers have overcome the greatest impact of digitization and are now more optimistic about the future.

Higher prices bring more confidence

The reason for the increased confidence across all markets can be seen in the financial performance figures. Globally, 50% more printers raised prices in 2023 than lowered them, continuing last year’s trend after seven years of falling prices. This results in improved revenues and margins. This pattern can be observed across all markets, although there are regional differences.

Digital adaption is growing

The resilience of Sheetfed offset print volume across all markets is remarkable. This also applies to growth in flexographic printing among packaging printers. Digital toner cutsheet color remains the volume leader among digital printing technologies. Globally,  the digital adoption – printers generating more than 25% of their turnover from digital – is growing from 26% in 2014 to 29% in 2023. At first glance, this is only a modest growth. However, various industry sources show that volumes have grown significantly since 2014 even though the digital adoption rate appears to be slowing down.

Good prospects for investment

Capital expenditure fell during the Covid pandemic, recovered a little last year and increased this year with 27% more printers investing more in 2023 than those who reduced expenditure; a better global figure than in any year since 2017. An even higher investment rate is forecast for 2024, by both printers and suppliers.  In general, the most significant investments are in printing technologies and finishing,  with sheetfed offset and digital toner cutsheet color being the most popular technologies globally, though there are significant differences depending on the market.

Strong industry growth forecasts must of course be put in relation to economic challenges, with the risk of recession or at least damaging inflation now outweighing the impact of the pandemic and a wide variety of specific regional socio-economic concerns.

Sabine Geldermann, Director drupa and Global Head Print Technologies at Messe Duesseldorf, commented: “Printers and suppliers know they must innovate to succeed in the longer term. I am confident that drupa 2024 will be the ideal opportunity to explore how best to achieve this objective.”

Infographics and obtaining the full reports

Infographics showing the key findings are available online at https://www.drupa.com/cgi-bin/md_drupa/lib/pub/tt.cgi?oid=49939&lang=2&ticket=g_u_e_s_t. The full report in English will be released by middle of November and will be available for sale at www.drupa.com. The executive summary will be available free of charge in German, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese.

About drupa

Focusing on the megatrends sustainability and digitalization, the international print and packaging sector will meet at drupa from 28 May 28 – June 7, 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany.  The world’s leading trade fair for print technologies is synonymous with inspiration, innovations, high-caliber knowledge transfer and intensive networking. This is where the international top decision-makers of the industry meet and exchange ideas on current technology trends and ground-breaking developments. Tickets for drupa 2024 are now available in the ticket shop at www.drupa.com

For information on visiting or exhibiting at drupa 2024, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America; Telephone: (312) 781-5180; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit www.drupa.com  and www.mdna.com.

For hotel and travel information, contact TTI Travel, Inc. at (866) 674-3476; Fax: (212) 674-3477; E-mail: info@ttitravel.net; www.ttitravel.net

Press release submitted on behalf of Channeled Resources Group

Channeled Resources Group (CRG), an industry-leading manufacturer of release liners, blank shipping labels and pressure-sensitive roll label stock, as well as one of the world’s largest suppliers of reprocessed, coated, treated, and laminated papers and films, recently unveiled the company’s new logo as part of an extended brand strategy. This move symbolizes the company’s unwavering commitment to first-quality manufacturing.

Since its inception in 1978, CRG has transformed and adapted to meet the needs of the industry. Starting as a company purchasing and processing paper fibers, CRG became a world leader by the late 1980s, creating alternatives to landfills and incineration for non-recyclables, specifically focusing on pressure-sensitive adhesive laminates and silicone-coated release liners.

With facilities in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Ontario, CRG has evolved into a state-of-the-art release liner and pressure sensitive label material manufacturer. Earlier this summer, they announced the addition of a new coater at their Marathon, WI facility, which more than doubles their release liner capacity and will allow them to offer tailored solutions to more customers in the tape, envelope, industrial, medical, automotive, and construction industries.

CRG’s mission remains steadfast: to deliver reliable, versatile, and cost-effective products that adhere to the highest standards of quality. The new logo captures the essence of this mission, symbolizing a renewed dedication to exceptional customer service, support, and the innovative spirit that has driven CRG for over four decades.

CRG President Cindy White shared, “This new logo represents our commitment to evolving as the needs of our customers and the industries we serve evolve. With the third generation of our family now deeply involved in the company, it was the ideal time to update the brand image with a more sophisticated and modern feel. It’s a testament to our journey, our values, and our vision for the future. ”

Spiral Binding, headquartered in Totowa, New Jersey, offers the James Burn DCR-400 dual corner rounding machine.

According to the company’s website, the DCR-400 makes round corners on any material ranging from books, note pads, diaries and cards. Right and left corners can be cut simultaneously in a single stroke.

The machine is versatile, accommodating a wide range of dies and it’s user friendly with easy adjustments and an adjustable work table angle. Learn more at www.spiralbinding.com.

The Sirio^® perfect binder, offered by Book Automation Ltd. – headquartered in New Milford, Connecticut, and part of the Meccanotecnica Group – is a heavy-duty industrial perfect binder for softcover book production in short runs, including a single book. The Sirio’s patented drive system enables it to run up to 1350 cycles per hour.

Learn more at www.meccanotecnicagroup.com.

Press release submitted on behalf of Sun Chemical

Sun Chemical’s Glenn Webster received the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers’ (NAPIM) Technical Achievement Award, one of the most prestigious honors in the ink manufacturing industry.

Recipients of the Technical Achievement Award are honored for making significant contributions to the science of printing ink formulation, manufacture or application.

“Glenn is more than deserving of this honor from NAPIM. During his career in the printing ink industry, he has developed and commercialized hundreds of products which have had a significant commercial impact for Sun Chemical and our customers,” said Dr. Philippe Schottland, Global Director-Functional Materials Technology, Sun Chemical. “The result of his work and contributions can be found today in many commercial products found on the shelves in applications ranging from beverage labels and folding cartons to flexible packaging offered by a wide range of brand owners.”

Webster started working in the printing ink industry in 1989 as a formulation chemist where he developed rheology-modified UV litho inks using novel low-temperature aluminum alkoxide gellants to gel polyester acrylate oligomers for improved litho performance and printability.

A holder of three patents, he further improved lithographic print performance with the development of a new approach to pigment dispersions for UV litho inks using non-reactive high molecular weight resins. He developed solutions to meet the industry’s needs for higher press speeds, introduced new barrier coatings that lightweight packaging and enhance shelf life, designed Mirrortech™ technology as a sustainable alternative to metallized board, and recently launched monoweb label overprint coatings which are a possible sustainable replacement to laminated labels in packaging.

“Glenn embodies all that our research and development team aims to accomplish at Sun Chemical,” said Russell Schwartz, Chief Technology Officer, Sun Chemical. “From the get-go, he was committed to creating solutions that improve customer productivity, offering new revenue opportunities for our customers and contributing to a more sustainable future. We’re pleased that he has been honored with this well-deserved recognition.”

The award was given during NAPIM’s 2023 Fall Technical Conference, which was held September 12-14 in Oak Brook, Ill. Webster joins a long list of Sun Chemical employees over the company’s 200+ year history to be recognized for important industry accomplishments. To learn more about some of those achievements, visit www.sunchemical.com/about/research-and-development.

Press release submitted on behalf of drupa

Online ticket sales for drupa 2024, no. 1 for printing technologies, have started. With the motto “we create the future”, drupa focuses on the industry’s innovative power and provides a relevant platform for tomorrow’s technologies. Numerous services support the best possible planning for a perfect trade fair visit.

For eleven days, everything that shapes the future of an entire industry will be on display here. From May 28 –  June 7,  2024, the highly anticipated drupa trade fair will finally be held again in Düsseldorf, Germany after an eight-year break due to the pandemic. Tickets are available now at www.drupa.com

At drupa 2024, visitors will learn how to make their current business even more successful and secure a competitive advantage. The print and packaging industry is undergoing constant change, driven by digital innovations, sustainability efforts and changing consumer trends. Against this backdrop, drupa 2024 will offer an indispensable and unique platform to tap into this dynamism and to set the course for future-oriented growth.

Key players from 47 countries have already registered to exhibit. Particularly well represented again will be suppliers from Europe, especially from Germany, Italy, Great Britain, the Benelux region, Spain and Switzerland, but also from Japan, the U.S., Turkey, India and China. About 1,400 exhibitors are expected to participate at the Düsseldorf exhibition center. Trade visitors  can look forward to surprising and impressive appearances and product launches, especially from global key players along the entire value chain.

Optimally informed with the exhibitor and product database

An overview of the exhibitors, their innovations and contact options for  making appointments in advance of the trade fair is possible with the new drupa Exhibitor and Product Database. Convenient product categorization, modern and clear design as well as the option of filtering content according to personal interest help visitors to get a comprehensive overview even before the trade fair starts. The fast way of establishing contact makes it easier to plan for the trade show. The Exhibitor and Product Database is live now and is constantly updated with new information and products. Another valuable tool for preparing a visit is the Interactive Hall Plan.

MyOrganizer, the ideal companion

Interesting products, personal recommendations and a personal appointment schedule: using the MyOrganizer functionality, visitors can already prepare their own  route  through the exhibition halls in just a few steps. MyOrganizer can be used after registering in the ticket shop with a personal login or also without registration. The login is convenient to use on various devices (smartphone, PC) over an extended period. Once compiled, the list can be adapted or supplemented each time it is called up.

Perfectly prepared for the trip

Early planning is recommended for the world’s leading trade fair for print technologies.  Anyone still looking for accommodation should use the services of BCD Travel Solutions in Düsseldorf (or TTI Travel for U.S. participants). As Messe Düsseldorf’s long-standing partner they can best advise which hotels in Düsseldorf and the region are available during drupa and can assist with specific booking needs. Messe Düsseldorf’s network of Foreign Representations help support international visitors.

Travel tips are also featured on the drupa website, including information on the discounted event ticket offered by “Deutsche Bahn” (German railways) and the “Düsseldorf-Ticket” for local public transportion in the city.

Tickets and prices

Tickets for drupa 2024 are now available via the ticket shop at www.drupa.com. Here, all the details about the different ticket types and prices can be found. Buying tickets online is recommended due to discounted rates and to avoid waiting times on site.

Tickets for exciting Guided Tours in cooperation with the PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION and the Fachverband Medienproduktion are also available in the online ticket shop. The program includes tours of the trade show halls on current topics such as interactive printing, digital print finishing, high-speed inkjet and labels & tags. Participation is possible on various days and times.

Press release submitted on behalf of Roland DGA

Wide-format imaging leader Roland DGA held a special “open house” event at its newly renovated Northeast Imagination Center near Boston on September 19, creating an opportunity for print providers in the region to get hands on experience with cutting-edge Roland DG technologies, talk to product experts, and gain expert business advice.  More than 50 people attended the successful event at the state-of-the-art, 3,800 square-foot Roland DGA facility, which featured live product demonstrations, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and complementary food and drinks from local food truck favorite, Wahlburgers.

The products demonstrated at the open house included many of the company’s latest introductions, including the new TrueVIS™ LG and MG series UV printer/cutters, the new TrueVIS™ AP-640 Resin/Latex printer, new VersaOBJECT™ CO Series flatbed UV printers, the new VersaSTUDIO BN2-20 desktop printer/cutter, and more. Those on hand also got a firsthand look at Roland DG’s popular VersaUV^® LEF Series benchtop UV printers and the new Rotary Rack attachments available for those devices that make printing on cylindrical objects faster and easier than ever.

“This open house enabled print professionals throughout the Northeast to see our newest machines in action without making the long, expensive trek to one of the major industry tradeshows held elsewhere in the country,” said Dan Johansen, Roland DGA’s vice president of sales. “We wanted to make it as convenient as possible for them to get up close and personal with our newest printers and printer/cutters – some of which are not yet on display in dealer showrooms. The event also made it simple for those in the area to get useful advice on the best Roland DG devices for their specific business needs and the applications they want to offer.”

In addition to Roland DGA’s Northeast Imagination Center, which opened in 2016, the company also owns and operates an Imagination Center for customers in the Southeastern U.S. – the Roland DGA Atlanta Imagination Center – which officially opened its doors on May 3, 2022, as well as a demonstration center at its Irvine, California headquarters. There are also opportunities to see Roland DG technology at hundreds of authorized resellers throughout North and South America.

Of course, there’s no need to wait for a Roland DGA open house event to get a firsthand look at the latest Roland DG technology. Customers who want to arrange a product demonstration at any of Roland DGA’s locations or dealerships can do so at any time. Those interested can start here: https://www.rolanddga.com/company/contact

Press release submitted on behalf of Komori America

Komori America today announced that Komori Corporation will celebrate its 100^th anniversary on October 20, 2023. Komori was founded 100 years ago in 1923 by brothers Zenshichi and Yoshikazu Komori, from the rubble of the Great Kanto Earthquake. The Komori brothers originally founded their new company as Komori Machinery Works, focusing on manufacturing manual lithographic presses. In 1928, after many years of litho evolution, Komori developed its first sheetfed offset press. From this first press to the introduction of the Lithrone GX40/G40 advance series of offset presses announced in 2020, offset printing presses have been Komori’s core business.

The company’s first overseas sales from the American market originated in the 1960s using a distributor model for North America. In 1981, convinced of the potential of the American market, Komori broke ground for the construction work that established Komori America in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Komori America was the world’s first sales subsidiary directly established by a manufacturer in the printing machinery industry.

As the demand for faster time to market and a higher level of automation grew, Komori evolved its focus from a printing press manufacturer to a print engineering service provider (PESP), offering a host of technology and solutions that cover the complete range of today’s print requirements. This included the development of the first fully automatic makeready press with fully automatic plate changers (APC); the KHS-AI system, Komori’s self-learning technology for color control and waste reduction; and the System G38 web offset press with LED-UV curing, designed to provide high-volume production with a lower carbon footprint and energy savings. Additionally, Komori expanded its focus by integrating its offset business with the securities printing machinery business, the printed electronics (PE) precision machinery business and digital printing systems (DPS).

“In the past one hundred years, we’ve implemented a variety of technologies that have been industry firsts,” noted Mark Milbourn, Komori America’s executive vice president of sales and service. “Not all of these have remained as long-term products, but that’s the beauty of Komori’s continuing research and development: We are always on the lookout for opportunities to refine the product and take it to the next level.”

In 2020, Komori acquired MBO Group, a global company that specializes in the manufacture and sale of post-press equipment. MBO is distinguished by its core competency of buckle, knife and plow folding technology, making it a world-class finishing solutions provider, able to add further value to Komori’s press solutions. Whether the print environment is sheet-based or web-based, Komori can provide its customers with advanced, robust, seamless printing production systems that include post-press processing.

Along with technological innovations, a central aspect of the Komori legacy is its commitment to the Japanese concept of “kando,” which Komori defines as delivering customer satisfaction “beyond expectations” through the quality of its products and service excellence. Customers of Komori cite their supportive, long-term relationships with the company as evidence that these founding values remain strong, even after a century.

“As a company, we consistently reaffirm our core purpose: our dedication to print technology and our focus on kando, both of which are the basis of our business,” said Toshiyasu Kubotera, Komori America’s president.  “This year, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of our founding, a historical milestone. We will continue to evolve our business over the next 100 years, strengthening relationships with customers, business partners and all stakeholders by offering innovative ways that expand their potential, create new value and open new opportunities in business scenarios of every kind. We thank everyone for their continued support and encouragement.”

Press release submitted on behalf of PRINTING United Alliance

PRINTING United Alliance, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in North America, today announces the recipients for the 2023-24 Student Scholarship Awards Program. The Alliance’s Student Scholarship Program awards $50,000 total in financial support to students planning a future in the printing and graphic arts industry, made possible through donations from endowment investors and industry leaders through the PRINTING United Alliance Foundation.

Supporting the Industry’s Future Workforce
The Alliance provides a multitude of resources, programs, and services for students in order to best support and prepare them for the industry as they graduate. The Scholarship Program is just one of the many programs available to students.

“The Alliance proudly offers this annual scholarship program in order to preserve and help aid the future of our industry,” says Ford Bowers, CEO, PRINTING United Alliance. “We realize that education and related costs continue to rise each year. Any role that the Alliance can play to encourage students, and alleviate these expenses in the form of a scholarship, in addition to our many resources like our iLEARNING+ educational courses, and other helpful services; we gladly will. Congratulations to the students in this year’s program who have worked so hard in all they have achieved!”

Alliance 2023-24 Scholarship Award Recipients
This year’s scholarship recipients and their respective member educational institutions are as follows:

British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

• Julius Conanan
• Maria Paula Mendez
• Ana Paula Moreno

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) – Graphic Communications Department

• Jake MacConnell
• Keyle Potts
• Kendra Roberson
• Sarah Sykora

Clemson University

• Miriam Jones
• Chadley Schmidt

Ferris State University

• Andrew Friedman
• Mackenzie Griffin
• Collin Henderson
• Elizabeth Kamphuis
• Evan Narva

Illinois State University

• Maili Simons
• Roberto Vital

RIT Department of Graphic Media Science and Technology

• Rishabh Mittal
• Jalil Molaei

Toronto Metropolitan University – School of Graphic Communications Management

• Andy Huang
• Tara Puri
• Duaa Shahzad

Stuttgart Media University

• Sarah Schumacher
• Arsam Wali

University Of Houston

• Emma N Reijonen

Western Michigan University

• Chandramohan Seetharamaiah Srinivasaraju

High-Performing Industry Students 
To qualify for the Alliance’s Scholarship Program, students must be enrolled to attend an Alliance Educational Institution member college or university full-time for the fall 2023 semester and are pursuing a career in graphic communications, printing technology, or printing management. Students must also maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale.

For more information about the Student Scholarship Awards Program, visit our Student Scholarship page.

 

Press release submitted on behalf of Diversified Graphic Machinery

Diversified Graphic Machinery (DGM), Red Bank, New Jersey, offers the DCH 60 and DCH 200 diecutting machines designed for short and medium runs. The DCH 60 is an automatic diecutter for paperboard and cardboard. The DCH 200 is an automatic diecutter for paperboard. The machines offer short job change-over, operator-friendly systems and both models come with many accessories and configurations. Learn more at www.dgmna.com.