Northprint 2011 [www.northprintexpo.com], which takes place in Harrogate from 10th to 12th May, has remained a popular platform for finishing system suppliers to showcase their latest innovations for long-or short-run offset and digital print.
Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS), the exclusive distributor of Horizon and other finishing equipment, has already committed to booking two stands at Northprint, totalling an impressive 120 square metres. Other post-press suppliers confirmed on the floor plan include Addressing & Mailing Solutions, Clinical Print Finishers, D & K Europe, Perfect Bindery Solutions, Tech-Ni-Fold, Terry Cooper Services, Vivid Laminating Technologies.
Trevor Crawford, director of the IIR Print Group, says: “We’re delighted with the number of post-press companies that have committed to exhibiting at Northprint. The exhibition is the first national mainstream graphic arts event since Ipex last year and is the best place to see the very latest developments in finishing under one roof.
“Visitors will benefit from live demonstration on exhibitors’ stands and we’ve been told there will be plenty of new kit on display with a strong focus on automation, productivity and added value options to help printers stay competitive and create new business opportunities in this tough market. Interest in this area has never been higher. According to our latest poll on the Northprint website, 90% of respondents are viewing the event as an important investment opportunity.”
D & K Europe plans to use Northprint as a platform to launch its new, fully automated entry level Europa laminator in its final B2 format. At Ipex 2010, the company showed a prototype of the machine at B3 size. John Hancock, UK Sales Manager, D & K Europe says: “Historically Northprint has always been a good show for D&K both in terms of contact with customers and prospects and indeed the return on investment. Visitors seem to enjoy Northprint more than the international shows; being more compact it allows them to focus on one or two important investment decisions that they are looking to make and discuss their needs in an environment where there is less pressure on their time.”
According to Tony Hards, joint managing director, IFS, “It is easy to underestimate the importance of trade shows such as Northprint and the overall effect it has on long-term relationships with customers. For IFS this major national event gives us the opportunity to showcase the very latest developments that can put our customers ahead of their competition and this event will be no different with the integrated workflow solution pXnet featured on all Horizon equipment. Historically we have always achieved a significant uplift in sales following the event when printers have considered the benefits of the highly-automated, computerised, touch screen set up and make-ready solutions and calculated the benefits to their bottom line.
“But Northprint is not just about sales, it is educational too. As well as learning about the latest easy-to-use, push button equipment innovations that enhance productivity and profit, printers can discover more about the latest business and environmental initiatives. They can also use the event as a way of educating new team members or trainees.”
Graham Harris, managing director of Tech-ni-Fold says that the company will use Northprint to launch a new range of CreaseStream products to the UK market. The CreaseStream range of machines bring to the fore a faster way to produce letterpress creasing that eliminate cracking. “We are geared up to show many exciting solutions that start with our basic hand fed desk top creaser to our automatic crease and fold system that reaches speeds of over 15,000 copies per hour. Our special micro-perforating and cutting devices compliment our machines as they add extra value above and beyond what else is available in the market. We are an evolving company and are quickly developing unique and innovative solutions to the problems that litho and digital companies face every day,” says Graham Harris.
Addressing & Mailing Solutions (AMS) will be returning to Northprint for the sixth time. Kevin McPheat, managing director, explains: “AMS has been exhibiting at Northprint since 2001 and has found it to be a very useful event in introducing printers to our mailing products, especially where the printers are considering improving their margins by offering a one stop solution to their clients and picking up the extra mailing work which may presently be outsourced. It’s also a great venue for printers to understand what our company AMS is about and what our products can do for printers, from hi-speed addressing systems or coding systems to automatic envelope inserting machines, from full colour label printing to poly-wrapping magazines.”
Dean Stayne, sales manager at Terry Cooper Services comments: “We’ve been exhibiting at Northprint for over 20 years and it has always been a great show and a worthwhile return on our investment. Harrogate is a great location for the show and we have found Northprint an invaluable platform from which we can connect with new and existing customers. The show attracts good quality visitors and enables us to showcase our latest range of print finishing equipment to the right audience. Growth is vital in the printing industry today and Northprint recognises and supports this which is why it is so successful for us.”
Steve Giddins, partner at Perfect Bindery Solutions LLP, says that the company will be introducing exciting new solutions for digital book printers and photo album manufacturers. He explains: “We like the intimate atmosphere of the show which enables visitors to see all the exhibits at a relaxed pace. The resulting quality discussions and demonstrations lead to a better understanding between customers and suppliers building relationships and trust which is particularly important in the current economic climate.”
Clinical Print Finishers see Northprint as a great medium for showcasing their range of small-format print finishing services. “Northprint is a good opportunity for us to meet new and existing customers face-to-face,” explains Alan Pickles, operations director. “We have a lot of innovative solutions that we can offer our customers and we will have a diverse range of finished product samples on display at Northprint. Exhibiting there allows us to have an influence on our customers’ decision making for their future projects. They are able to see the added value that specialised miniature finishing can offer with far greater clarity then they would with a brochure or a phone call.”
Says Siân Wileman, marketing coordinator at Vivid Laminating Technologies: “As regular exhibitors, we are sure Northprint 2011 will be the perfect exhibition to showcase our upcoming new laminating products to the UK print industry.”
“We are in final discussions with a number of other post-press suppliers and are confident that we’ll announce further additions to the already impressive line up over the coming weeks,” concludes Trevor Crawford.
