IPEX to issue statement on event future following Canon withdrawal

IPEX 2014 organisers Informa, announced today that they will issue a statement regarding the future of the event, following hot on the heels of Canon Europe’s withdrawal,

Speaking earlier, Peter Hall, MD at Informa Exhibitions commented:

Ipex has been an integral part of the international printing industry for over 100 years, and therefore we do not wish to compromise the brand’s credibility. We will collaborate with all stakeholders to determine the role Ipex has to play to provide today’s printer and their customers with the ideas, insights and solutions to effectively promote the power of print media and its integration in the marketing mix.  Further to these consultations, we will issue a statement about the future direction of Ipex shortly.

“The Informa Group remains committed to delivering world class events with the support of key industry stakeholders and we will announce our plans in due course.”

Earlier in the day, Canon Europe’s Head of Production Printing group, Patrick Chapuis, issued a statement confirming the Digital press manufacturer’s withdrawal:

“After careful consideration of our position, Canon Europe is announcing its withdrawal from Ipex 2014. 
“This has not been an easy decision to make as we have previously had two successful shows at Ipex.  However, just as we have encouraged our customers to ‘see the bigger picture’, we have had to look at our own bigger picture.  This has involved a continuous assessment of the ways in which we communicate with our customers.

“We remain fully committed to our customers and to the printing industry as a whole, so with Canon and Océ solutions now addressing all segments of the market, we need to adopt the strategy that will most benefit our customers and indeed their customers.

“Therefore, while we will continue to consider future European industry events and their fit with our business and marketing plans, we will also continue to invest in our extensive network of showroom facilities and in a series of customer focused events across the region.”
 
The future of the Landmark event is now in serious doubt following withdrawals from major manufacturers across all sectors of the industry, and the statement from Informa will be eagerly awaited by the many still committed exhibitors.