Print Is Now. Print Is The Future.

It is a permanent fixture in the printing industry: drupa, the largest and most important trade fair for print media worldwide, casts its shadow far in advance – including the important industry event Print Promotion Industry Summit. Six months before drupa, guests had the opportunity to experience exciting presentations from member companies and leading machine manufacturers. The focus was on the potential of modern printing and finishing processes as well as solutions for modern printing, paper and packaging technology.
From 6 to 24 November 2023, a total of seven events were held in Asia (Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi) and South America (Bogota, Mexico City, Sao Paulo). Koenig & Bauer played a key role in this, as our CEO, Dr Andreas Pleßke, not only presented the company's comprehensive product and service portfolio, but also spoke as Chairman of the drupa Committee about the challenges of our time. The summit focused on three interactive panels on the key topics of sustainability, digitalisation and European technologies.

Dr Pleßke, how did you perceive the summit? What was the mood like six months before drupa?

Dr Andreas Pleßke: Excellent, if I had to sum it up in one word. It was extremely clear how much everyone is looking forward to drupa – especially to the fact that there will once again be a live event in Düsseldorf. drupa has changed a lot – it's no longer just a product show, but a technology show; even more so: a future show. At the various touchpoints (Packaging, Sustainability and Textile) in particular, the aim will be to take a look into the future. While we don't all have a crystal ball to predict the future, there are clear indicators that can be used to predict trends in 2040. I am personally very much looking forward to this, and you can feel how everyone's curiosity is growing from day to day. As Chairman of the drupa Committee, I am expecting a spectacular trade fair with countless highlights. As CEO of Koenig & Bauer, I am looking forward to presenting our latest high-tech innovations to visitors.

The Print Promotion Industry Summit itself can be summarised as a very dynamic event. The focus was on the exchange between the experts and with the guests. This resulted in interesting insights on all sides.

Can you give us an example of such an insight?

Dr Andreas Pleßke: What I personally found very interesting were the discussions on the topic of how we will work tomorrow. The shortage of skilled labour is a global problem – this became clear at the various locations. Whether Jakarta or Sao Paulo, Bangkok or Bogota: there is a lack of qualified employees everywhere. There is also a change in the mindset of the next generation. Priorities are shifting.

How can you get young people interested in the printing industry today?

Dr Andreas Pleßke: I believe that reliable future prospects are more valuable today than ever before. Packaging and packaging printing are constants that every young professional can rely on. Anyone who works here has the opportunity to turn sustainable ideas into reality. Print is the future and those who choose it are choosing an industry of the future.

In addition to sustainability, the panels also focused on digitalisation. What insights do you take away from this?

Dr Andreas Pleßke: Digitalisation is one of the major drivers and is already impacting so many areas that the time has now come when decisions can no longer be postponed. In order to continue to operate stably in five to ten years' time, we need to invest in a digital future. This is not about individual solutions, but about the big picture. Digitalisation must be carried through to the process level in order to bear fruit.

Will digitalisation and sustainability also be with us at drupa?

Dr Andreas Pleßke: I can't name a place or context where digitalisation and sustainability won't be with us. So yes – these topics will also be on our minds at drupa.

Thank you very much, Dr Pleßke, for this interesting insight!