Xerox Corp.

With equipment specs, pictures and video all available online, why should an in-plant manager bother going to Graph Expo any more? Those who made the trip to Chicago last month have lots of good reasons.

It was reassuring to see so many in-plant managers at Graph Expo this year. The Chicago trade show has been drawing the in-plant crowd for years, but managers have generally gone about their business quietly, not making much of a splash. This year, because of the number of in-plant events taking place, they were much more visible.

Over the past few weeks, the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association has held fall regional meetings in Denver, Muncie, Ind., and El Reno, Okla., bringing dozens of managers together for a day of networking and education.

Three new features—Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR), an in-line coating system and an ink measurement and proofing tool—have been added to Xerox's CiPress Production Inkjet Systems for more flexibility and functionality.

At Graph Expo, a panel of in-plant managers shared details about how they have added value at their operations. A new IPG video shows highlights from that special in-plant event.

The In-plant Printing and Mailing Association's fall regional meetings got off to a great start a few weeks ago when 14 in-plant managers met in the Baton Rouge offices of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana (BCBSLA). The meetings continue today in Mechanicsburg, Pa., where Messiah College is hosting about a dozen managers for a full-day event, sponsored by Konica Minolta.

The State of Colorado’s in-plant is installing a Ricoh InfoPrint 5000 MP inkjet production press. The in-plant will replace three Xerox Nuvera printers, a move that will save 20 percent in monthly expenditures.

The official numbers aren't in yet, but the crowds at this week's Graph Expo show in Chicago seemed larger than in previous years. Those who attended certainly had a number of new products to check out. Here are just a few of the new machines unveiled at Graph Expo.

I got home from Chicago late Wednesday night after spending four very busy days at Graph Expo. Though flight delays and cancellations tainted nearly everyone's trip (mine included), the show seemed to rebound from this opening irritation. The crowds on the show floor were impressive, even on Sunday, and numerous vendors told me of equipment being sold right off the show floor.

Randy Patrick was fed up with wrestling with a folder that had been at his in-plant longer than he had. The rollers and wheels were worn, there were feeding issues and it was creating static on digitally printed jobs.