23 May 2012

DRUPA- what a booster!

I was fortunate in joining a BPIF organised’ innovations and technology’ tour for members, comprised of a great range of businesses and people, covering finishing businesses, specialist commercial, commercial, large format, security and transactional businesses.

Feedback from the group was different as each day unfolded and new halls were conquered. Drupa by its sheer scale feels like you are on a Campaign. Some common issues raised was the cost of investment and improved performance did not necessarily mean sensible returns if any could be made due to depreciation and the increased level of revenues required to fully utilise the equipment. But what DRUPA offers is the chance to see all options at one time and with visitor numbers down it provided a chance to have better discussions with suppliers and gain better information, but getting the cost of some of the machinery out of them seemed difficult as many did not want to commit, particularly in cutting edge technology areas and evolutionary hybrids.

Certainly this DRUPA personified the development of game changing technologies, personified by the arrival of NANO and an ‘Apple’ style vision and delivery of the near future, nearly now, but not quite now. Firstan Packaging based near Huntingdon has announced their commitment to the technology amongst several others and this pioneering should be celebrated and again shows the sectors commitment to ongoing innovation and a new future.

A recent management article cited the increase in ‘Director of Innovation’ as a job title and it is our challenge to get customer facing staff delivering the mantra of innovation to customers and also to create an entrepreneurial spirit amongst all staff. For those that get even some where here the benefits are great. What DRUPA HIGHLIGHTED was there are machines, hardware and software  that can transform the graphics image and printed output, we need to communicate this more effectively to customers and maybe this is the challenge for IPEX to create a better gathering where suppliers, businesses from our sector and the end customer come together!

We need to celebrate the wonderland that is available and also the innovative spirit. If we Champion this and continue to believe it enough, they will come!