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Vol 3 | Year 2013
Bright future of printing industry (P. Martell, T. Crawford)
During the last four years the world’s economy has faced massive challenges and financial shocks. There are businesses that are emerging from this period stronger than they went into it which is credit to them and provides confidence and hope for the future for all businesses prepared to change.
Ipex2014 will be held from 24 till 29 March 2014 in London and it has been announced as the most important world event on the English-speaking territory in the field of printing, publishing and media. Organizers announced IPEX 2014 as world class ‘must attend’ event that meets the needs of visitors and exhibitors alike. Ipex 2014 is an international industry showcase on the future of print, and according to the Patrick Martell, new Ipex president, the future is bright.
Firstly, we want to congratulate you for being announced as the Ipex 2014 President. What does it mean for you to be the Ipex 2014 President? Which responsibilities does this position include?
Patrick Martell: Thank you, I was delighted to be asked. Having started as an apprentice in the print industry at the age of 16, it is particularly exciting to be asked to advise Ipex for the 2014 exhibition. The industry is undergoing fundamental structural change to reduce volumes, but at the same time is presented with opportunities to embrace other technologies that can improve the effectiveness and relevance of print. My responsibility is to chair the advisory committee and represent all stakeholder views.
IPEX 2014 will be held in for the first time in London in ExCel center. What are the reasons for the decision to change the venue?
Trevor Crawford: As a world renowned business centre and global tourist attraction, London has always been one of the world’s great exhibition locations. While the city is the home of heritage landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and ‘Big Ben’, as well as offering a plethora of additional day and night time entertainment options, it is now also ranked as the world’s 7th most preferred city in which to stage meetings and events (source: ICCA – International Congress & Convention Association). Business visitors drawn from outside of the UK now contribute 27 % of London’s overseas tourism economy; just short of £3bn per annum.
In your opinion, in what way will the printing industry develop in the next five years?
Patrick Martell: Overall lower volumes, providers will need to offer other services in addition to print with the strategic challenge being understanding and responding to increasingly complex markets driven by connected informed consumers.
When announced for the president of IPEX, you said that the show’s many visitors will benefit not only from the technologies at the show, but will also have the opportunity to see, learn and be inspired. How important is educational role of IPEX?
Patrick Martell: Extremely. Part of what we need to do as an industry is to lead the way with regards to how to use print, rather than teaching a narrower audience how to print.
Informa Exhibitions organises over 100 business-to-business exhibitions annually – what are the key factors for organising a successful exhibition? For instance, some exhibitions that are organised in Croatia seem to be of no longer interest for printing companies.
Trevor Crawford: Exhibitions are the perfect platform for today’s time-poor business owners who want a neutral environment to compare and contrast different technologies, see various applications and get a holistic view of the future of the industry.
In fact, FaceTime recently reported that 71 % of trade show visitors said that a trade event is the ‘best way to meet new contacts’, while 80 % of them said it’s the best way to ‘find out about new things’.
Print industry is going through revolutionary changes, new technologies are developing every day, emerging markets...the future is changing rapidly in this segment. What is the best way to adopt those changes or even to be a pioneer in this field?
Patrick Martell: Start with the market and look outside our businesses.
The role of Internet in changing print industry. In the beginning, the internet was a direct competitor to printing but now it seems that it has become a complement to printing. Do you think in future web-to-print solutions will be much more present on the market?
Patrick Martell: I think the internet has created informed consumers with choice that was previously unimaginable. As an industry, we have to respond to that and embrace the challenge rather than try to resist it and protect our historic business models.
Let’s switch gears now and focus on numbers and predictions about the upcoming fair. How many exhibitors do you expect?
Trevor Crawford: Visitors will be able to see over 500 exhibitors from all areas of the print supply chain showcasing their latest technologies and applications.
How many of them are litho and how many digital printers?
Trevor Crawford: There will be a great mix of both. Ipex has and always will be technology neutral, and will be showcasing applications covering all aspects of the print production process – from concept right through to the finished product.
How many square metres exhibition will be held?
Trevor Crawford: At 42,000m2 and encompassing 10 halls, Ipex 2014 will still be the largest print focussed event worldwide in 2014.
After the IPEX 2010 Frank Romano, Professor Emeritus from Rochestre Institute of Technology said that “Ipex demonstrates that the printing industry is back in business.” Four years later, do you think printing industry is an industry with a bright future?
Patrick Martel: I do. During the last four years the world’s economy has faced massive challenges and financial shocks. There are businesses that are emerging from this period stronger than they went into it which is credit to them and provides confidence and hope for the future for all businesses prepared to change.
Interview by: Nataša Gajski Kovačić
Firstly, we want to congratulate you for being announced as the Ipex 2014 President. What does it mean for you to be the Ipex 2014 President? Which responsibilities does this position include?
Patrick Martell: Thank you, I was delighted to be asked. Having started as an apprentice in the print industry at the age of 16, it is particularly exciting to be asked to advise Ipex for the 2014 exhibition. The industry is undergoing fundamental structural change to reduce volumes, but at the same time is presented with opportunities to embrace other technologies that can improve the effectiveness and relevance of print. My responsibility is to chair the advisory committee and represent all stakeholder views.
IPEX 2014 will be held in for the first time in London in ExCel center. What are the reasons for the decision to change the venue?
Trevor Crawford: As a world renowned business centre and global tourist attraction, London has always been one of the world’s great exhibition locations. While the city is the home of heritage landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and ‘Big Ben’, as well as offering a plethora of additional day and night time entertainment options, it is now also ranked as the world’s 7th most preferred city in which to stage meetings and events (source: ICCA – International Congress & Convention Association). Business visitors drawn from outside of the UK now contribute 27 % of London’s overseas tourism economy; just short of £3bn per annum.
In your opinion, in what way will the printing industry develop in the next five years?
Patrick Martell: Overall lower volumes, providers will need to offer other services in addition to print with the strategic challenge being understanding and responding to increasingly complex markets driven by connected informed consumers.
When announced for the president of IPEX, you said that the show’s many visitors will benefit not only from the technologies at the show, but will also have the opportunity to see, learn and be inspired. How important is educational role of IPEX?
Patrick Martell: Extremely. Part of what we need to do as an industry is to lead the way with regards to how to use print, rather than teaching a narrower audience how to print.
Informa Exhibitions organises over 100 business-to-business exhibitions annually – what are the key factors for organising a successful exhibition? For instance, some exhibitions that are organised in Croatia seem to be of no longer interest for printing companies.
Trevor Crawford: Exhibitions are the perfect platform for today’s time-poor business owners who want a neutral environment to compare and contrast different technologies, see various applications and get a holistic view of the future of the industry.
In fact, FaceTime recently reported that 71 % of trade show visitors said that a trade event is the ‘best way to meet new contacts’, while 80 % of them said it’s the best way to ‘find out about new things’.
Print industry is going through revolutionary changes, new technologies are developing every day, emerging markets...the future is changing rapidly in this segment. What is the best way to adopt those changes or even to be a pioneer in this field?
Patrick Martell: Start with the market and look outside our businesses.
The role of Internet in changing print industry. In the beginning, the internet was a direct competitor to printing but now it seems that it has become a complement to printing. Do you think in future web-to-print solutions will be much more present on the market?
Patrick Martell: I think the internet has created informed consumers with choice that was previously unimaginable. As an industry, we have to respond to that and embrace the challenge rather than try to resist it and protect our historic business models.
Let’s switch gears now and focus on numbers and predictions about the upcoming fair. How many exhibitors do you expect?
Trevor Crawford: Visitors will be able to see over 500 exhibitors from all areas of the print supply chain showcasing their latest technologies and applications.
How many of them are litho and how many digital printers?
Trevor Crawford: There will be a great mix of both. Ipex has and always will be technology neutral, and will be showcasing applications covering all aspects of the print production process – from concept right through to the finished product.
How many square metres exhibition will be held?
Trevor Crawford: At 42,000m2 and encompassing 10 halls, Ipex 2014 will still be the largest print focussed event worldwide in 2014.
After the IPEX 2010 Frank Romano, Professor Emeritus from Rochestre Institute of Technology said that “Ipex demonstrates that the printing industry is back in business.” Four years later, do you think printing industry is an industry with a bright future?
Patrick Martel: I do. During the last four years the world’s economy has faced massive challenges and financial shocks. There are businesses that are emerging from this period stronger than they went into it which is credit to them and provides confidence and hope for the future for all businesses prepared to change.
Interview by: Nataša Gajski Kovačić
