Features

TARIQ SHAHZAD

Tariq Shahzad is the manger prduction planning and control, QMR/ HR head of Alshareef Factory For Carton Containers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

1) How would you rate your visit to Ipex? Did you visit the last Ipex? If yes, will you comment on the differences between both events?

I will consider it a successful visit in terms of research and development.No, we did not attend the last show. Well only what can I say is that Ipex was packed with digital technology. I was bit surprised not watching live demonstrations of the Manroland and Bobst machines.

2) What technology were you eyeing at Ipex?

Well, we were focusing on the finishing equipment, process integrations software and process improvements devices and we were able to find what we want.

3) What have you gained from the show- new information, new ideas etc?

Yes, we find the show quite useful in terms of new information and get plenty of new ideas to improve our process. I will specially discuss about the print profit zone, the knowledge center.

All the debates were wonderful and well organised. We were able to upgrade our knowledge and get many new useful contacts for future consultation.

Plenty of materials and magazines were available to satisfy our reading requirements and to know about the new developments in the print industry.

Also the exhibitors make excellent arrangements in briefing about their products on their booths.

4) In your opinion are such shows relevant anymore?

These shows are playing a vital role in bringing the print professionals from all over the world under one roof. So, in that sense, shows like Ipex are really worthwhile and serve the print industry. The printers get the answers to all their questions and doubts, whether regarding machines, materials or new technology to his satisfaction and can know what's going around him.

I will say Ipex and Drupa are a kind of blessing for print professionals.

DR. MOHAMMED MUBARAK

Dr. Mohammed Mubarak is the technical services & training manager, Masar Printing & Publishing, Dubai

1) How would you rate your visit to Ipex? Did you visit the last Ipex? If yes, will you comment on the differences between both events?

My visit and the whole trip was successful. While visiting the booths, I received in-depth information from suppliers, who gave me detailed explanations about the machines displayed as well as new machines.

I did visit last Ipex as well and in my opinion, there were more professional visitors at the last edition of the show in 2006.

2) What technology were you eyeing at Ipex?

My main interest was in new machinery entering the market. I was interested in knowing new innovations and features. Also, I was looking at value added automation.

3) What have you gained from the show- new information, new ideas etc?

This Ipex featured more UV ink and UV dryers technology, which was not that prominent at the last show.

4) In your opinion are such shows relevant anymore?

Yes, absolutely. By visiting events and exhibitions as big as Ipex, one can get in touch with new technologies being introduced into the market. Meeting so many suppliers under one roof and getting first hand information about using the machinery is a sort of on-hand training. We can directly talk to the representative in great detail. This is very beneficial to the printers.

ZAHIR HASSAN

Zahir Hassan is the Managing Director of Power Print, Dubai

1) How would you rate your visit to Ipex?
Did you visit the last Ipex?

If yes, will you comment on the differences between both events?

As Ipex is one of the two major events related to printing and graphics industry it is a must visit exhibition for people who involved in the industry. From the industry point of view visiting this major event can update you with the latest advancements in the technology and its likely impact on to products and services industry can offer. As such my visit was informative and useful.

Yes, I have been to the last Ipex. At the outlook there felt a difference between 2006 and 2010 in the areas of visitors attendance and list of exhibitors

2) What technology were you eyeing at Ipex?

I was focusing on post press areas for automation

3) What have you gained from the show- new information, new ideas etc?

I see a substantial presence of digital printing with new features which focused on variable data printing, environment friendly process systems etc.

4) In your opinion are such shows relevant anymore?

Yes, since these trade shows allow people from all over the world to see technological advancements in one place and subsequent equal opportunities for its acquirement.

5) What in your opinion is the big challenge these days for trade shows and visitors?

As industry is facing a down turn it would be tough for organisers to meet resources in organising trade shows and attracting visitors. As for visitors attending a trade show at this period of time would not feature in the list of their priorities. We need to treat it as a natural phenomenon that is part of a difficult market situation which is faced by the world in every sphere of life and try to survive it with a hope that things would turn around for better. Looking at the vastness of benefits these trade shows provides to both exhibitors and visitors it would be worthwhile to weather the difficult times to march towards with the hope of better future.

6) Did you look at any pre-used machinery at Ipex?

While we all give serious thoughts in to cost cutting measures it is natural to look for pre-used machines when it comes to production capacity improvements. But is it really worth to save those differences is what it needs to be looked at. When we look at the savings in the purchase of a pre-used machine we tend to forget its actual returns through its productivity comparing with the new machine.

When we put together the components of production time, material consumption, quality of the final output for comparison with the new machine it would provide you with the real numbers. Added to this is the quality of service which might suffer due to these factors of concern. A pre-used machine can be a weak link to otherwise a good production process system that is already in place with a printing company due to its likely breakdown and subsequent adverse impact on to the final output.

DR.GEORGE NUBAR SIMONIAN

Dr, George Nubar Simonian is Professor of Print Media Printing, Publishing & Packaging Dept, Faculty of Applied Arts Helwan University Egypt

1) How would you rate your visit to Ipex?

My overall rating was very good. Despite the recession, ash clouds, BA strikes, & the merger of companies, (where in many cases, several companies which used to have separate stands at the last Ipex, were this time merged in one large company & one stand), the exhibitors' numbers were very close to Ipex 2006, & the attendees' numbers were very encouraging as well, reaching nearly 50 000 (as announced). We had more than 390 people from Egypt visiting the exhibition.

1b) Did you visit the last Ipex? Please comment on the differences between both events?

Yes. I think both the visitors' & exhibitors' numbers were nearly the same. Litho offset exhibiting area is shrinking (from 41% to 26%), while digital printing one is increasing (from 26% to nearly 40%). More Chinese companies were exhibiting.

2) What technology were you eyeing at Ipex?

Digital printing presses, mainly the new inkjet systems, which I think if they'll be used, priced &marketed in the right way, will dominate the market in the near future. They are jetting all kinds of water-based, solvent-based, UV, dyes-based & pigment-based, solid & liquid inks, using scalable print heads, on any substrate we can imagine (from single rice particles to large room doors), without the need to any pressure or impression, films or plates, with wider colour gamut's, higher quality, easier & faster production.The exhibition showed many of the conventional prepress leaders, like Kodak, Agfa, Screen & FujiFilm, & many digital presses' manufacturing leaders, like HP, Xerox, Xeikon, Canon, Oce, Konica Minolta, Epson, Ricoh, InfoPrint Solutions, MGI Digital Graphic Tech, & other new comers, like Impika, Neryos, Impression Solutions & Intec, were all dominating the show, with more than 42% of the total area. In addition, I was looking at:- The latest in the CTP technologies, mainly the Chemistry Free & the Process less new products & systems. Colour management & Workflow also took their parts. Litho Offset, which was showing more automation, shorter make ready times & more inline finishing options, in order to compete strongly with the digital invasion in the coming few years.

3) What have you gained from the show- new information, new ideas etc?

I've gained information regarding:

a) New colour management & profiling software options
b) New digital printing presses
c) New Inline & offline finishing & value adding options & ideas
d) New applications for automating the production through workflow & QR barcodes
e) New environmental products
4) In your opinion are such shows relevant anymore?

Yes, of-course, they're an excellent platform & opportunity for everyone involved in our ever-developing industry, to exchange ideas, experiences & info, knowing the latest state of the art technologies, systems, presses & equipment available on the market, in addition, having the advantage of personally comparing & analysing them all under one roof.