As reported in this issue, companies present at the Düsseldorf media week in January – including some that would not have been expected to mention packaging and converting – suggested growing markets in the sector. Perhaps they see it as an area not subject to the invasion of electronic alternatives as could be said of some parts of the graphic arts and commercial print markets. And converting is expected to be an expanding area by the drupa organizer – exhibitor numbers are up at the exhibition – again I suspect an exception in the overall scheme of things.
Companies both at this conference and a later one held in Athens on which I will report next month were also reporting innovation in both equipment and prepress as well as overall line integration. They see the sector as one of added value.
Speaking of adding value – that's certainly what this year's EFTA flexo awards demonstrate. With this issue you will find the awards supplement produced by Converting Today for the event held earlier this month. Printers both in the UK and overseas can be justifiably proud of the quality exhibited by the winning prints. Flexo is unrecognizable from the process of even five years ago, let alone a decade back.
No doubt those successful companies will be amongst the hundreds of others visiting drupa to ensure they keep up with the innovations on offer. To help them, our first preview of the world's largest print show begins in this issue.
