The new look Northprint 2011 has been given the seal of approval from visitors: visitor numbers to the Harrogate International centre during the three day event topped 2250*, which were over 40% up on 2009. A steady first day of quality visitors, the buzz of an excellent flow of visitors on day two and a good footfall on the final day all resulted in a resounding endorsement that Northprint has a key role to play in the UK print calendar. According to the press release, sales started within the first half hour of the show, with exhibitors taking orders up to the final hour of day three, demonstrating that visitors came to Northprint to do business.
Northprint 2011 visitor numbers: 40 % up on 2009
Norman Revill, Managing Director, manroland says, “Northprint has been great for manroland and has given us an excellent opportunity to meet with many of our customers and reinforce the messages of our Secrets of Profitable Print campaign – that we are here to work with our customers to add value to their businesses and help them maximise their investment in manroland technology. Just like Ipex, the quality of the visitors has been outstanding and we’ve had a number of very positive leads generated on the stand right across our commercial sheetfed, printservices and printcom divisions. We expect to make some exciting announcements as a result over the coming weeks.”
The show’s largest exhibitor, Ricoh UK was also delighted with its attendance at Northprint making several sales during the event, and clinching a sale of its Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition on the final day. Comments Karen Lawrence, Professional Print Solutions Manager, Ricoh UK, “The level and quality of visitors has been very positive giving us the opportunity to meet new prospects and existing customers.”
Visitors at Northprint 2011
Northprint 2011 was the platform for several new product launches including Address and Mailing Solutions (AMS) which launched two new print engines at the show, Dumor UK presented its new range of entry level post press kit, Crease Stream and Multigraf launched respective folding and creasing devices, DBC introduced an automatic document feeder for its 620OS Laminator, while Technotrans unveiled a reverse-osmosis unit aimed at single B2, B3 and digital presses. In addition, first time exhibitor Videojet launched its LC-Pro UV-curable ink.
There was also a series of partnerships announced during the show. Presstek and RedTie signed a web to print agreement, Centaurfax and Ripware announced a new joint venture, Tweak.com secured a partnership with Web2PrintSolution, and Encore Machinery demonstrated its new UK distributorship for New Bind PUR binders.
Tim Webb, Executive Director, Picon says “Our 21 Picon member companies exhibiting here report that it has been a really good networking show with business being done well into the evenings. The timing is good, midway between Ipex and drupa, and it’s as much about forging relationships between exhibitors as it is talking to visitors.”
Other highlights included Konica Minolta’s latest additions to its Bizhub digital presses, while manroland chose Northprint to announce the official opening of its regional printcom office in Kettering, and signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Lubetech for its environmental spill control solutions.
The event was also packed with a comprehensive range of free visitor features and attractions including profitability workshops, case studies and industry debates in the Printers Profit Zone, financial advice from the BPIF and presentations from industry experts in the Litho Technology Theatre.
The Print Coach, Nick Devine, in The Printers Profit Zone
Following its success at Ipex 2010, the Printers’ Profit Zone made its debut at Northprint, drawing standing only audiences to its case study presentations and industry debates. Industry expert and The Print Coach Nick Devine was delighted to bring the concept to Northprint 2011. “Based on our extensive industry research we built a programme of interactive presentations around the real issues facing SME printers today, and offering real value added solutions, which has once again proved to be another winning formula for visitors.”
Northprint also played host to the sixth PrintIT! awards ceremony, which took place in the Royal Hall at the exhibition, where the industry came together to support and honour the work and achievements of all the finalist students.
Peter Orford, Marketing Manager for Northprint 2011 concludes, “In the coming months planning with get underway for Northprint 2013 and the success of this year’s event will provide the firm foundation on which to build the event going forward.”
*This figure excludes all exhibitor personnel and repeat visits.
