India plans major presence at this year's Drupa

The Indian participation at this year's Drupa is expected to break previous records with some 33 Indian stalls exhibiting and more than 10,000 visitors from the country expected at the event.

Exhibitors will include key market leaders in the Indian printing industry such as Manugraph India, Micro Inks, Proteck Circuits & Systems, TechNova Imaging Systems and The Printers House.

Executive Director at Messe Düsseldorf India, Xavier Rebello, believes some 10,000 visitors from India could descend on Drupa. He said: "Travel agents, tour companies and trade associations are mobilising huge numbers of printers."

Drupa ensures an increase in the purchase of brand-new equipment. Already, the number of installed units is on the rise. From 1 April 1, 2007, to 31 March, 2008, the expected installations of new imported offset presses should be 500 units.
 
National marketing manager at Heidelberg India, Namrta Dhar, said: "In 2006-07, Heidelberg India's sale per head was greater than the average of all Heidelberg sales and service units worldwide with a high operating profit. Heidelberg India shipped 251 units."

Heidelberg currently has a 50% market share. The other players include Adast, Akiyama, Hamada, KBA, Komori, MAN Roland, Mitsubishi and Ryobi.

Rebello added: "India is the sixth biggest economy of the world and is at the threshold of a bigger and better future."