Over 400,000 visitors are anticipated in what will be the biggest Drupa ever and the show's exhibitors are eagerly anticipating the start of the show.

However, there remains a lot of work to do on many of the stands and forklift trucks are currently racing around the Messe in order to finish work on the stands.

One exhibitor said yesterday: "It is going to be a very long night. We have been here for three days working round the clock to get the stand set up but there is still a long way to go. I don't think I will be going to bed tonight!"

However, others were more confident. Rene Laukens, managing director of Halm Industries International said: "We still have a bit of clearing up to do but we are on track to finish in time for tomorrow.

"We have been planning this for four years and are really looking forward to a superb Drupa."

Digital is expected to take centre stage this year with HP's digital web press and Xerox, Xeikon and Océ vying for centre stage with their latest releases.

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