Mimaki has pulled out of Ipex, a decision coinciding with an open letter to all Ipex stakeholders from exhibition director Trevor Crawford reiterating that Ipex 2014 will go ahead.
In the letter Crawford said: “We are writing to you to clearly set out our position regarding Ipex 2014 and our plans for the future.
“We all understand that print is experiencing some change - economic, technological, social, and environmental. Events that represent print - such as Ipex - have to adapt and reflect those shifts.
“When an event takes place every four years, that degree of change can appear dramatic. In fact, it's simply that a cyclical event like this pulls together the incremental changes that happened over that time period and concentrates them into one experience.
“Industries that are in flux have to re-evaluate themselves. They need to be brave and find the clarity to focus on what is valuable and should be developed. This is exactly what our customers and their customers are doing. The same goes for us as an event brand.
“Ipex will take place in London in 2014. We stand firmly by our mission: to provide today's printer and their customers with the ideas, insights and solutions to effectively promote the power of print and its integration in the marketing mix.
“As always, we're putting commercial printers right at the heart of Ipex. We surveyed more than 1600 printers worldwide to ask them how Ipex could continue to be relevant to their needs. They told us:
- We're channeling major capital investment into digital and post press, to complement what we have already.
- We're keen to embrace opportunities in new applications, especially packaging.
- We want to understand more about how print works in multichannel marketing.
- We need our customers to understand more about what print can do for them.
“We've taken that research on board to shape our planning. We're committed to delivering an event that will help printers from all over the world to adapt to these changes and build for the future. Ipex will be the only event in 2014 that brings together the whole international print supply chain to learn, network and do business.
“We said we'd focus the show on digital: some have interpreted that to mean Ipex will no longer serve litho printers. Nothing could be further from the truth. We expect 80% of our visitors to be commercial printers, whether they print litho, digital, or with a mix of complementary processes. Most successful printers don't define themselves by the type of press they operate.
“Printers are looking to Ipex for vital leadership and guidance. They need a neutral environment, not controlled by a single manufacturer, where they can find the time and space to assess and absorb the changes and opportunities around them. We will provide them with a wealth of world-class content through initiatives such as the World Print Summit.
“Ipex is a year away. We're working to deliver an event that gives printers what they need, while also attracting the people who buy print, and showing them what print is capable of, working hand in hand with other communications channels.
“Ipex has print at its heart. If you do too, then you'll be at Ipex 2014.”
Mimaki said it is re-directing its trade show focus to Fespa, so that it can target companies operating in the sign, large format and textile sectors.
Mike Horsten, marketing manager of Mimaki EMEA said: “2012 was a very big year for us in Europe. Having made such great strides in Europe, it makes more sense that we attend Fespa, where we can strengthen our relationships with our customers, partners and prospects in this key region. We’re looking forward to show and see it as the ideal platform to share ideas with like-minded individuals, and engage with print professionals, brands and designers from across Europe.
In 2012 Mimaki launched a raft of products and established a dedicated EMEA operation. It has said it will also exhibit at Fespa 2014, which is being staged in Munich, Germany. By participating at an event that moves from country to country, Mimaki is able to meet face-to-face with customers and prospects operating in different local markets.