As I mentioned last month in this column, many of the big names associated with the graphic arts industry are turning their attention to a value added sector - packaging converting. So it goes without saying we can expect some exciting technology. Look out particularly for the prepress developments, short run presses and digital presses aimed at providing variable information to an increasingly high standard of quality.
Following its acquisition of the converting operations of Metso at the beginning of this year, we have now learnt how Bobst has integrated the majority of the brands into its new Business Area Flexible Materials under the leadership of head of the division Claude Currat. (see lead news story).
It clearly has taken some long, hard thought and work by the integration teams to sort out just where each group of equipment will be made. But with that all now in place I am sure the operations can get back to what they do best - developing some of the best converting technology available right across the sector, from presses to slitter rewinders, coaters, laminators and metallizers.
It's not, I am sure, that they stopped doing any of that - just that we haven't heard what those developments might be over the last few months. So a bee-line to the Bobst stand at drupa looks a good bet! No less than 12 world premieres are planned by the company, including a new SR8 slitter from Titan.
See you in Dusseldorf! We're on stand D01 in hall 12.
