The trade show held a varied conference programme
A total of 3400 visitors attended the second InPrint trade show to learn about cutting-edge technology, components and services for speciality, screen, digital, inkjet and 3D printing.
Held over three days, 10 -12 November, at the Munich Trade Fair Centre, three fields of application; functional, decorative and packaging printing, were the centre of interest throughout the show.
The conference offered a varied programme that was structured in line with the three focal points of the show. The sessions comprised speeches giving an overview on industry developments and panel discussions, as well as precise investigations of certain topics and Tech Talks.
InPrint founder and co-organiser, Frazer Chesterman, said, ‘What we have seen from the 2014 show to 2015 is a rapid development and evolution of the market. Larger exhibition stands, refined messaging, more machines, different inks and coatings and amazing technological innovation across a diverse range of applications. Clearly, the InPrint show continues to reflect this market evolution. When I spoke to exhibitors, I heard the same comments over and over again, that this event delivers a unique audience of visitors looking for customised system and technology solutions from both manufacturing and print sectors.’
Gary Barnes, marketing manager for Industrial Inkjet at Fujifilm, said, ‘We have seen a significant increase in lead numbers since the previous show. A diverse range of companies and a large variety of industry sectors have come through, and the quality of the visitors at our stand was high. At InPrint, we see potential customers that we see nowhere else. For us it is the only show where we put the total capability of Fuji’s inkjet range on display together, and all our three sectors have been doing well.’
Of the majority of the companies who exhibited at the show, 54% are located abroad. Individually, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Switzerland were represented best among the exhibiting countries. Of those visitors working in manufacturing industries, most came from mechanical engineering, followed by plastics, electronics, automotive as well as additive manufacturing and 3D.
Functional print was named by 65% of visitors as their main area of interest at InPrint. Most visitors chose to attend the event in order to gain insight in to printing machines and systems. The other main areas of interest were ink, fluids and chemicals, materials and substrates, print heads, screens and other special parts as well as integrated and customised parts.
Marcus Timson, InPrint co-founder and organiser said, ‘InPrint is now firmly established as a show that is playing a role in assisting the development of industrial printing. Exhibitors reported visitors of a very high calibre, the show networking areas were full and the two conference theatres well attended suggesting that advanced technical knowledge exchange is essential. Functional printing was of the highest interest for visitors, and as we shift our attention towards Milan, we expect to see an increase in interest for decorative printing. For InPrint 2015, the international attendance continued to grow and we expect this to continue into the future as InPrint becomes a truly European event.’
