Exhibitors at FESPA London 2013 were absolutely delighted with the breadth of international visitors buzzing around their stands throughout the two exhibition halls at ExCeL Exhibition Centres. Landmark product launches, seminars and other constructive activities during the show gave visitors plenty of new technologies and opportunities from the world’s leaders like Hewlett Packard (HP), Mimaki Europe, Mutoh, Roland DG, ONYX Graphics, Anajet, Bordeaux, Kornit Digital, Avery Dennison, Canon Europe, EFI, FUJIFILM, among others.

Exhibitors’ delights

Roland DG termed the event a ‘great success’ citing a very busy stand, strong sales and a high number of qualified leads taken from a broad range of international and UK visitors. The company’s newly introduced SOLJET PRO4 series,

XF-640 and XR-640 printers/cutters developed particular attention, not only from signage players but also commercial and digital printers from around the globe. During the show, Roland ECO-SOL MAX2 was awarded EDP Award in the Best New Generation Solvent Ink Technology category.

EFI completed record number of equipment sales deals during the show with visitors buzzing around their stand witnessing EFI VUTEk printers driven by EFI Fiery digital front end (DFE) systems. FESPA London was also considered to be one of the best yet in terms software sales for EFI, with several companies purchasing new MIS and ERP systems during the show.

Parallel show

Co-located with FESPA this year was European Sign Expo, a dedicated signage event on social media convergence, design, content and considerations for end-users, retailers, resellers as well as sign-makers looking for adoption of DOOH technology. This parallel event delivered an educational programme through two conference theatres. Occupying a space of 5,000 sqm adjacent to the existing main halls with distinct branding and entrances, European Sign Expo had automatic access to the neighbouring event free of charge. This parallel expo offered visitors a focused sign event through which they could explore innovations in architectural and informational signage/display systems including channel lettering, illuminated signs and digital displays. In fact, this new European Sign Expo built on the success of the European Sign Summit which was a feature of FESPA 2010 in Munich, co-hosted by FESPA and ESF.

India’s Hall of Fame

Shortlisted from more than 35 countries, FESPA Hall of Fame recognised worthy printers from around the globe who their peers hold up as international role models. Nominees who received several votes were qualified into the Hall of Fame and received a host of benefits as part of an exclusive group. Once the printers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame they would be getting lifetime membership of FESPA.

Suresh Babu of AB Screens based in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu received the top winner’s accolade of FESPA Hall of Fame. Others in the list of top five global winners included Keith Ferrell, Cactus Imaging, Australia; Samir Sadikoglu, European T-Shirt Factory (ETF), Turkey; Jon Weiss, New Buffalo Shirt Factory, USA; and Felipe Costa, MC4 Promo, Brazil.

Exhibitors talk “For the first time, high quality FESPA visitors from all over Europe were able to see the new HP Latex 3000 in the flesh and witness its productivity and versatility benefits first hand.” - Manel Martinez, vice president & GM, Graphics Solutions Business, EMEA, HP “FESPA is a synonym for creativity - a value we wanted to pay homage to with the students’ aquarium we set up at our booth to show the industry, peers and visitors alike how highly qualitative yet easily Mimaki solutions can print out even the most creative of ideas. - Mike Horsten, GM marketing EMEA, Mimaki Europe “We’ve met some interesting and professional contacts as well as generated sales and good leads.” - Nick Decock, commercial marketing manager, Mutoh “We’ve seen a good flow of visitors from across Europe and worldwide and lots of interest in the products on show.” - Gillian Montanaro, head of marketing & market development, Roland DG UK “The show created the perfect scene for celebrating our 10th birthday, rolling out our new visual identity, and for introducing very important products like Avalanche 1000.” - Oliver Luedtke, marketing manager, Kornit Digital Europe “We were very pleased by the quality of this year’s show.” - John Coppens, marketing programs manager Europe, Graphic Solutions, Avery Dennison “It has been great to see so many different applications. Customers live on applications; that’s what makes it so interesting.” -Frederik Dehing, vice-president, AGFA Graphics “We sold seven systems in the first three days. The general volumes across the show were as expected, but the Uvistar deals were really pleasing.” - Graham Leeson, head of communications, FUJIFILM Europe “We feel there is new energy in the marketplace and signs of recovery and we’re excited about what that potentially means going forward.” - Paul Cripps, managing director, EFI