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Sometimes less is more. With companies choosing to postpone major investments in kit, there has been a shift towards devices and software that don’t cost the earth but could save a considerable amount of money in the long term. At this year’s Northprint, on 21-23 April at the Harrogate Exhibition Centre, exhibitors are expecting a surge of interest in equipment that makes printers’ businesses more efficient, getting maximum return on investment for minimal outlay.
That’s not to say that the days of big spending big are gone, but with print firms under pressure like never before, they have less money to spend and are being more watchful with resources. They are looking to get more out of their existing presses, while hopefully spending only a few thousand pounds on kit that adds value. That’s good news for manufacturers and distributors in the digital, post-press and workflow markets, because these are the kind of products that could make all the difference.
According to Duplo UK marketing manager Peter Jolly, the current economic climate has led many printers to invest in kit to bring finishing in-house. Outsourcing certain aspects of a job, such as UV coating or perfect binding, are a thing of the past, he says. Today, the machines involved are less daunting and fairly automated. By offering a range of diverse finishing options, printers are attracting more business.
Mature market
The maturity of the digital market has also helped. It’s now more cost-effective to print shorter runs digitally, plus there’s the added bonus of incorporating variable data. Companies are making investments and we aren’t short of firms wanting to do business with us, says Konica Minolta head of production print Clare Revell. Personalisation software complements the digital press. Companies are looking to work smarter. It is very seldom that we just sell a piece of equipment on its own.
This is echoed by Ricoh product manager for professional print products Gareth Parker. He says companies are cutting their cloth where appropriate and for Ricoh, that means guiding them towards workflow products.
We explain that the next step for customers is workflow – it’s an area that can’t be ignored, he says. It doesn’t have to be a multimillion-pound product.
At last year’s Total Print! Expo, Ricoh launched hardware; for Northprint, the focus is workflow. It’s a four-pronged approach: job submission and ordering; document composition; workflow authoring; and digital services. Ricoh has spotted a clear sign of interest in the first area. Job submission lends itself to web-to-print software and Parker notes there has been significant interest in this area.
There’s a plethora of opportunities, he adds. It’s an area that is only going to expand because the e-commerce generation is demanding it. The technology is not prohibitive for the smaller players in the print market, but it does need some careful consideration. You need to have the appropriate system for your business.
It’s a sign of the times that a digital press manufacturer such as Ricoh is now talking up the benefits of software. But that’s not to say the hardware side will be ignored at Northprint. Konica Minolta is showing some equipment that it unveiled at last year’s Drupa, but hasn’t been demonstrated before in the UK.
Post-press focused
The maturity of the digital market has also had a knock-on effect for other sectors. In post-press, there is growing interest in smaller devices for short runs. We’ve seen the strength of the digital guys in the front end, and this has put more pressure on us to develop faster makeready machines with more automation for both entry-level and heavy production, says Renz UK sales and marketing manager Daniel Pooley.
Renz intends to demonstrate what it says is the world’s first fully automated bench-top punch, the DTP 360.
So far, Pooley claims these kind of systems are selling well because they allow printers to get into wire binding at a relatively low price. Systems like Onepitch allow users to bind from a few sheets up to 340, all from one machine, he adds.
Jolly says that following the digital boom, Duplo has invested a lot of time and money on research and development to cash in on demand for products that suit all budgets. The market is currently shifting towards digital print with many printers offering shorter print runs. [As a result] we have had to expand our range so we have something to offer every type of printer, he explains.
Multitasking machines
Versatile devices are also becoming increasingly popular. For example, Duplo’s DC 645 multi-finisher effectively combines the work of three machines into one – it cuts, slits, creases and perforates. Jolly claims the machine doesn’t just save time and money, but also floor space.
In the past, the 645 may only have been used for finishing business cards. Many customers are now thinking of ways to branch out and offer more with this machine, such as wedding stationery, says Jolly.
But it’s not just about buying new kit. Getting the most out of your existing equipment can be just as important and cost-effective. This is the view of first-time exhibitor Humidity Solutions. Sales director John Barker explains that having a stable humidity level can lengthen the production life of litho or digital presses.
Humidity is a desirable thing and prevents paper curl. The substrate does not change dimension and means less downtime, he says. We offer systems for everything from small digital print applications up to large press halls. His firm is taking advantage of firms being more frugal. People are tweaking their systems rather than going for wholesale change.
Views from visitors
Nicky Mason, managing director of event organiser IIR Exhibitions, says Northprint will offer visitors better ways of doing business. When we were deciding whether to run the event, we felt it had delivered such good results for so many exhibitors and visitors for over 40 years. It would be a shame for us just to walk away and give in to recessionary pressures.
She is adamant that trade shows have an important role to play in the current climate, as is Ian Forsyth, co-founder of Lancashire digital trade printer Forsyth & Steele. He says: We’re big fans of printing shows. They are an important way of stepping out of your business and keeping in touch with how other people’s businesses run.
Stuart Mason, founder and managing director of Scottish quickprint franchise Inkshop Printing, agrees, adding that it’s worth visiting shows like Northprint if only to see what’s on offer – you never know what you might find.
We’re hearing about so much doom and gloom. But there are some really good deals out there. It would be such a negative thing for the printing industry if Northprint didn’t go ahead, says Mason.
Spotting good deals, especially ones that won’t cost the earth, is what Northprint is all about this year. The theme is building business, which is apt in a sector where times are tough and a small change really can make a big difference.
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SHOW INFORMATION
Where Harrogate Exhibition Centre
When 21 -23 April 2009
Hours
Tues 10.00–17.00
Weds 10.00–17.00
Thurs 10.00–16.00
Register and directions www.northprintexpo.co.ukHow to get there
Harrogate is off the A1 just north of Leeds. It is 200 miles from London and Edinburgh and is served by a fast train from both. London to Harrogate via York takes around two-and-a-half hours
By road
Sat nav HG1 5LA
From the south M1 then A1 (M) – exit Wetherby (Harrogate: nine miles)
From the north A1 – exit Wetherby or Knaresborough (Harrogate: eight miles)
From the east M621-A1 (M) – exit Wetherby
From the west M56-M62-A1 (M) – exit Wetherby
Parking
New and improved parking facilities are now available, with 450 new parking spaces five minutes from Harrogate International Centre. The venue also has another 450 parking spaces while the train station has a further 780 spaces. For further parking information, please contact Harrogate Tourist Information on 01423 537300
By rail
Regular rail services operate to Harrogate via York and Leeds
By air
BMI operates regular flights from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to Leeds-Bradford International Airport, which is a 20-minute drive from Harrogate International Centre
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