“Ipex 2010 was both busy and vibrant and we were delighted with the interest shown in our latest technology and more than happy with the calibre of visitor and commercial leads generated,” says Henry Brickenkamp, director of technotrans.

“We cannot overstate how relieved all suppliers were that despite the global recession and some travel disruption at the start of the show visitor numbers held up and printers continued to see Ipex as a critical international show that gave them technological direction and genuine commercial opportunities.

“The global mix of visitors to our stand altered this time round but the volume remained close to the level of Ipex 2006 which, given the fall out in printer numbers, really is a fantastic achievement.”

The UK and Europe accounted for 65% of visitors to the technotrans stand but there was a remarkable lift in numbers from Africa and the Middle East, together accounting  for over 20% but with numbers from south east Asia and Australasia down and from the US and South America remaining steady but low.

“We promised the best coffee at Ipex but were delighted that the printers showed a real thirst for cost-effective solutions that could add value in the pressroom. We fielded a huge number of questions relating to green issues, service, spares, lean manufacturing and even the future direction of the industry. Some orders were placed but many more leads were generated, some related to new press sales elsewhere in the show and many from end users looking to enhance their press productivity.

“We were surprised and pleased at the response to our prototype product, the basic.fcr, which combines filtration and reverse osmosis in a single unit, enabling printers to control the water and recycle the chemistry in the dampening solution at relatively little cost but with big advantages in terms of process control, print quality and productivity,” says Mr Brickenkamp.

“Filtration, inking and reducing or eliminating alcohol remained hot issues, too, and in addition to our own display at Ipex we were pleased to see our products demonstrated to good effect on the stands of our many OEM press partners, reflecting the fact that we are setting the pace with products that combine environmental, efficiency and economic advantages.” 

There was room for celebration including on stand toasts with three UK customers: Crescent Press which is investing in water-cooled peripherals, Headley Brothers investing in eco.cean solvent recovery and Warners which is buying a barrel ink pumping system.

“As we work hard now to take our many discussions to commercial conclusion we hope the celebrations will continue and that working in partnership with our OEMs and printers we can continue to add value to the industry by supplying robust and ethical products, cost-competitively,” says Mr Brickenkamp.