In-plants Meet for Lunch, Conversation at Graph Expo

On the second day of Graph Expo, about 50 in-plant managers got together for a very productive roundtable luncheon, hosted by IPG. With Editor Bob Neubauer moderating, managers discussed numerous critical topics, shared their experiences and questioned one another about equipment and software.

Sponsored by Komori, the luncheon gave managers an opportunity to ask each other for advice on subjects like variable data software, QR codes, digital envelope presses, wide-format mounting and laminating, and more. They shared some of the new services they have started offering (like T-shirt and envelope printing) and talked about interesting solutions they had seen on the Graph Expo show floor.

The conversation offered some surprises, as when a majority of attendees raised their hands to show they continue to use offset presses, and expect to keep using them in the years ahead. Despite the reported rise in variable data printing, some managers said their customers continue to order long runs of static material. Others noted that local mail houses supply VDP at better prices, so the in-plants focus on longer runs. Several managers in attendance recently installed offset presses.

Still, everyone in the room noted that they provide digital printing, many using large digital presses like iGens, Nexpresses and HP Indigos. Two shops fielded questions about their MGI multi-substrate digital presses from curious managers.

Attendance at the IPG roundtable luncheon was better than anticipated, a sign that more in-plants are now able to travel to shows like Graph Expo. Some of the in-plants represented at the event were Amtrak, Briggs & Stratton, Hasbro, New York State Bar Association, Farmers Insurance, Michigan Farm Bureau, the City of Torrance, Penn State, Iowa State, Brigham Young University, University of Oklahoma, and this month's cover story in-plant BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.