PRINTING United Expo: A Show to Remember
The following article was originally published by Wide-format Impressions. To read more of their content, subscribe to their newsletter, Wide-Format Impressions.
To say the opening of PRINTING United Expo was a relief is surely an understatement. To describe it as a sound, it might be the rising crescendo of a jet engine, in the middle of a stadium, at the very moment thousands of voices express an exuberant, relieved sigh. The energy could be seen — and felt — in the throngs of motivated people who streamed into the building and onto both massive Expo floors, filled with urgency and enthusiasm.
Nearly 30,000 people swarmed PRINTING United Expo 2022.
“There is no other place in the U.S. where you can see it all and have all the vendors,” said Dave Leskusky, president of PRINTING United Alliance and NAPCO Media. “What we have been working to accomplish for the industry is to help them connect the dots, to understand their strategic next steps. The Expo is a playground for that — a place to walk around and see all the opportunities. People are making investments in their businesses. What I hear on the show floor is the sound of doing business … and we have people here from 120 countries. Amazing.”
Within the two exhibit halls and among the more than 700 exhibitors, Expo attendees saw the familiar — those technologies that serve as the “bread and butter” for their businesses — and the unfamiliar — technologies that represent potential directions and future opportunities. For the nearly 30,000 people who attended the Expo during its three-day span, their definition of “printing” surely expanded, along with their sense of its opportunity.
In-plant managers mingled at the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association’s happy hour. From left: Abbas Badani (University of Nevada - Las Vegas), Debbie Cate (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center), and Laura Lockett (California State University - Sacramento).
“I didn’t know there was so much available for print,” exclaimed attendee Bobbi Francis, Print/Mail Production supervisor at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas.
“The size of the Expo really stood out to me,” noted Wes Troup, business solutions associate for The World Bank Group’s Print & Interactive Media Business. “Two massive conference hall floors filled end to end with vendors and attendees was impressive. Overall, the PRINTING United Expo in Las Vegas was a fantastic display of all things print related.”
“We loved the show,” enthused Laura Lockett, director of University Print & Mail at California State University - Sacramento. “It was really great to network with peers in addition to seeing so much equipment in one location. I appreciated both the in-plant breakfast session and the IPMA networking events.”
Brisk and Strong
As The Expo progressed, word of brisk sales and strong interest on The Expo floor demonstrated the industry’s need for technology, and the desire of printing companies to expand, diversify, and converge. Over the roar of the crowd and the hum of machinery, deals were struck. Plans were made.
Heidelberg brought an offset press to the Expo.
In one deal, W+D North America sold two W+D BB1000 envelope converter/inserter units to Moore. The purchase will expand capacity and efficiency for the direct mail business. Of the purchase, owner Jim Moore said, “We’ve invested heavily in technology, seeking equipment that’s more and more efficient.”
Offset press manufacturer Komori announced that Nosco, a full-service packaging solutions provider, has purchased a nine-color Lithrone GX40RP advance dedicated two-sided press, with coater and LED-UV curing. Investment in the new press is part of Nosco’s bold growth plans, which involve scaling up folding carton production by 125 million units in 2023.
EFI announced that Orbus Exhibit & Display Group purchased an EFI VUTEk FabriVU 340+ soft signage printer to meet its surging demand for dye-sublimation soft signage. The new printer is the 300th EFI VUTEk FabriVU printer installed worldwide. “We have four FabriVU printers overall, so we must be happy with the technology!” said Orbus VP of Print Operations Aaron Kozar.
Landa Digital Printing announced that Abeka, an in-plant printer serving students in homeschool families, ordered a Landa S10P Nanographic Printing Press. From left: Steve Smith, Landa Regional Sales Manager, Southeast; Stephen Riffel, Abeka Plant Manager; Heberto Pachon, Landa General Manager, Americas.
Landa Digital Printing announced that Abeka, a world leading education in-plant printer serving one million students in homeschool families and Christian schools around the world, ordered a Landa S10P Nanographic Printing Press. The company will use the seven-color S10P with inline coater for its flourishing flashcard business, as well as additional products.
Even in-plants joined the buying spree: “We spent quite a bit of time in the Apparel Zone and purchased a Stahl’s Hotronix Fusion IQ 16x20" heat press,” revealed Lockett, of Sacramento State.
And the positive, robust vibe of The Expo’s first day wasn’t reserved only for companies large enough to distribute press releases on their sales. Vendor feedback was strong. “Very good. Excellent. Very busy!,” was how Maureen Damato of Colex Finishing Inc., a manufacturer of cutting solutions described The Expo. Geoff Baxter of Advanced Inkjet Technology said, “It was great. We’ve had great foot traffic and sold some equipment. They were interested in buying.” Brian Richards of ROQ US, a manufacturer of equipment for apparel decoration, said, “Yesterday was awesome. There were a lot of apparel printers here.” He said interest in the company’s solutions was very strong. James Burns of Inkcups, a manufacturer of solutions for imaging containers and other objects said, “It was great. We were straight out from 9-5. We were very busy. Great activity.”
Primary Motivators
And while this event — twice delayed — has finally come to the fore, the reality is that the printing industry largely stayed busy during the pandemic. Companies pivoted, priorities shifted, alliances formed. For some, COVID was a time of famine; for others, a time of feast. For all, it was time for reflection.
The industry has changed: those who entered this hall arrived leaner than they were three years ago, more deeply aware of supply chains and labor challenges, more focused on the possibilities of new technologies, and newly inspired to invest in automation.
Lockett, of Sacramento State, appreciated the range of technologies at the Expo and was able to inspect a variety of equipment, from folding machines for digital work, to wide-format flatbed printers and cutters/routers.
Sharing a laugh at the IPMA happy hour were (from left) Raul Carmouze (Geico), Julio Rosado (New York Police Department), and Donna Horbelt (University of California - Davis).
“We were able to see demonstrations and collect a broad scope of information,” she said. “I really appreciate the amount of follow-up from the show that we have received from the vendors as well. We are continuing to evaluate items and make plans for future growth.”
“We were looking at some finishing equipment,” said Donna Horbelt, director of Repro Graphics at the University of California, Davis. “I’m also looking at inkjet, so I’ve looked at some [systems]. I’ve had a pretty intense [sales] session on that.” Horbelt says staying on top of new technology is essential: “We have to offer the latest and greatest.” To her, attending the Expo means being able to see everything that’s available.
“It was good to see some large equipment again. I was very impressed by the use of robotics in the binding and cutter areas, remarked Vernon Goodner, Print Services manager at Orgill, who says he bought a tabletop spiral binder from Akiles while at the Expo. “The in-plant breakfast and luncheon were great. It was good to talk to fellow managers.”
“I went to the show to see the vendor choices I had researched for a Web-to-print solution,” said Francis, of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas. “I got all my answers I was looking for and had a great time with my in-plant colleagues.”
About his Expo experience, Scott Kinniburgh of Bitterroot Screen Printers, a company that started in the apparel space but now also produces vehicle graphics, said, “We’re going to be lacking time to do everything.” He says that for his business, he is seeking equipment that will increase efficiency. “We’re always looking for new solutions,” he says, “and seeing what’s new. That’s why this is great.”
The World Bank Group’s team got a tour of the Ricoh booth.
For printing businesses, the year ahead looms large. “I think what’s evident here is an emphasis on production and automation. The reality is that those systems will also help us attract new talent into the industry,” said Michael Marcian, CEO of Corporate Communications Group, and the newly appointed chair of PRINTING United Alliance. He says there is much to consider moving forward. “Our lives are back to normal, but we still need to be mindful of it,” he said. “The economy appears fragile, and we don’t need additional setbacks.”
But the excitement of the Expo and all that happened there does not stay there — despite what Las Vegas might tell you. It will guide attendees into next year and beyond. The PRINTING United Expo, in addition to being one of the world’s biggest and most diverse marketplaces for printing technology, is also an incubator for new directions, for convergence, for seeking the right fit for your printing business. What attendees learned there — and what they saw — will stay with them.
Dan Marx, Content Director for Wide-Format Impressions, holds extensive knowledge of the graphic communications industry, resulting from his more than three decades working closely with business owners, equipment and materials developers, and thought leaders.
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