In-plants Report on Drupa

We've kept in touch with some of the in-plant managers attending drupa this week, and even managed to get a group photo of five of them. The show, they told IPG, is every bit as large, crowded and exciting as expected.

"We have walked every hall. Whew, what a task," puffed Doug Maxwell, director of Brigham Young University Print and Mail Services. By "every hall" he means all 19 of them, spread across 2.85 million sq. ft. of space at the Messe Düsseldorf fairgrounds. Inside, 1,650 exhibitors from 50 countries have tons of equipment on display.

The weather in Düsseldorf this week has barely topped 70, with more than a few thunderstorms. But that's just as well, since what's inside the halls is more important than what's outside.

Attendees from the World Bank Group's in-plant visited the Konica Minolta booth at drupa earlier this week. From left: David Leonard, Barbara Stainbrook (Konica Minolta), Jimmy Vainstein and Les Barker.

"The biggest show stopper for me was the new Landa  Nanographic presses with water-based inks printing at offset speed and quality," enthused Jerry Hill, California state printer, who paid for his drupa trip out of his own pocket because it's been a lifelong dream to attend. "It will be interesting to see how this challenges inkjet and offset going forward. I am getting more information on this Nano technology to share at the upcoming IPMA conference."

His in-plant will be going out to bid soon on two inkjet webs, he says, so he's been looking intently at those machines. And replacing the state in-plant's old offset web presses is also on his mind. "The HP 42" with roll stands and increased speeds got my eye," he said.

"I am looking at label making equipment and some end sheet and casing equipment," reports Maxwell. "We have looked at a lot of different makers of equipment for each of these. Not only have I seen equipment that I like, I have found some new solutions and ideas for some other processes like head banding, round backing, etc. We spent a lot of time with Muller today and will with Kolbus tomorrow."

Jimmy Vainstein, one of three attendees from the World Bank Group's in-plant, noted that automation and integration were key focuses for many vendors. He shared this amazing 360-degree view of his coworkers at the Konica Minolta booth, talking with Erik Holdo and Barbara Stainbrook.

"We took some time to look at a few workflow solutions as we are launching our new EFI Pace MIS and used some of our time at drupa to find ways to further some of the integration points," he said.

"We came to drupa focusing on building a strategy for our future, beyond our short-terms needs. We looked at a mix of digital print equipment, and it was great to see how the blend of technology is now blurring the typical category lines. What used to be lower-capacity cut-sheet toner devices are closer than ever to high-end production toner presses, in addition to brand new cut sheet inkjet presses that are finding their own place in the mix."

The Government Publishing Office has a team of people at drupa reviewing opportunities for increasing efficiency and effectiveness.

"We have a particular interest in digital press and binding technologies that are linkable with a management information system to streamline ordering, production, billing and information reporting requirements," reported Andy Sherman, chief of staff. "We're also reviewing technologies that can support our security and intelligent documents business line."

Drupa continues all next week, wrapping up on Friday June 10. IPG will cover the highlights in our July issue.

Here's a shot of the GPO crew at drupa:

@USConGenNRW at @drupa visiting @Xerox. Thx for tour w/ @USGPO colleagues. U.S. Leading the world in tech & service pic.twitter.com/FHVRV5iNaC

— Ken Walsh (@Kenwalsh1) June 3, 2016

@USGPO Chief of Staff & Deputy Director discussing and learning about new technologies @drupa @Kenwalsh1 pic.twitter.com/zx0cqOssgb

— USGPO (@USGPO) June 3, 2016

Former World Bank in-plant manager Jane Bloodworth is at drupa too:

Avanti's Josh Perkins chatting with Jane Bloodworth from @InfoTrends at #drupa2016. #AskAvanti #MIS pic.twitter.com/1lRAsQg8Pv

— Avanti (@avantisystems) June 3, 2016