LONDON, ENGLAND—Earlier this month, organizers of the trade show Ipex held a briefing in London, England, for the world’s graphic arts press. Several exhibitors released their plans for the event. PrintCAN was there and here are some of the highlights. Check back in as other exhibitors announce their plans.

The show

When: May 18-25

Where: Birmingham, England

Size: 11 halls, 100,000 gross sq. m.

To register: www.ipex.org

Ipex is the largest trade show on the planet for 2010 with more than 580 exhibitors bringing their newest equipment and technologies to the NEC Centre in Birmingham. Reflecting the changing printing landscape, digital equipment (including pre-media) will comprise just under 40% of the show, compared to 26% at the last Ipex outing in 2006. Press equipment scales back to 26% of the show floor from 41%. The Chinese presence is growing too: the 60 stands anticipated this year represent a 107% jump over 2006.

 

Fujifilm

 In what was perhaps the most highly anticipated announcement at the event, Fujifilm said it would use Ipex for the worldwide launch of its sheetfed, 4-up inkjet press, which began public life as a technology demo at Drupa. The 4-colour press will be positioned to compete for print runs of 500 to 3,000 with variable data capabilities, duplex or perfecting capabilities. Commercial availability will begin in Japan in the Spring, with a worldwide rollout schedule to be announced at Ipex.

Ricoh

Ricoh is new to the show and seems ready to establish a major presence in the graphic arts industry. Calling its appearance at Ipex a significant milestone for the company, Ricoh will share its booth with Infoprint, its offspring with IBM, showing products for the production and corporate market segments. Asked about its place in the commercial printing space, company reps said it’s the company’s number-one priority, based on a three-to-six year planning cycle, after announcing its initial plans at Drupa.

Red Tie

Red Tie, a web-to-print software supplier, made its North American debut last fall at Print 09 in Chicago. At Ipex it’ll bring out the newest updates. Also, look for the company to expand into Canada in the latter part of the year.

Xerox

Xerox was short on details about its Ipex plans but did say that it will share its inkjet strategy in terms of products and plans for bringing them to market. Whether that will build on the solid-ink technology announced at Drupa will be a surprise. Other announcements will centre on enhancements to its continuous feed products and to its premier partners program, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Océ

Oce says it’s taking one more step in the digital journey at Ipex where its slogan will be “Get back to growth.” It’ll suggest that printers do so with at least its Arizona 550GT, the newest addition to the Arizona line. No news came regarding the proposed merger with Canon, though the two companies will inhabit separate booths at Ipex.

Canon

Canon will come to Ipex with a message that printers have to embrace change and leap into new opportunities. Its key message: digital will be the main investment of 2010. In addition to a key research report on the health and growth of corporate reprographics departments (or in-plant shops) and their investments, Canon did say it would bring new technology to the show. A particular success story it did point to from its portfolio was the new ImageRunner Advance, recently released.

Pitney Bowes

Pitney Bowes will focus on the integration of print and mail, with the Intellijet system, which includes the new HP inkjet web press and its own finishing machines. The deal was announced last year at Print 09. Pitney also gave a small cue that the inkjet press is the first of a family of inkjet devices it would deliver to market, meaning the HP technology could be scaled down from the current 30” web configuration.