The event, incorporating Contract Pack and Ecopack, as well as Empack and Label & Print, included product launches, six new show features and more than 40 seminars at Birmingham’s NEC.
“Visitor numbers this year were 10% up on last year,” said Easyfairs' marketing project manager Shona Thomson. “A key draw this year the were learning workshops and seminars.
“The show was also more focused: last year it was based around several themes but this year there were just three. More people were aware of Empack and machines as well as labelling and printing.”
Thomson flagged up exhibitors who went the extra mile including Benson Group, which employed Masterchef finalist Dhruv Baker to cook for show visitors.
Visitors and exhibitors included some of the biggest corporate names such as GlaxoSmithKline, Coca-Cola, Britvic, Mars and PZ Cussons.
New products to the UK market included Martek's EBS-260 hand-held inkjet printer and Afinia's DLP-2000 digital label press.
Audion Swissvac presented two new products: the D775 MPCV validatable medical continuous sealer and Speedpack hybrid bagging machine.
Kite Packaging, which shared a joint stand with Audion Swissvac, showed its Kite Mini Air machine and its patented Wrap & Hold system, alongside a range of its other products.
Easyfairs’ event director Alison Church said: “The show has grown and the attendance figures are incredible. We couldn’t be happier with how this year’s show turned out.”
The 'learnshops' programme involved speakers from Nestlé, Marks & Spencer, Gü Puds, Domino, Blippar, Hubbub and Recoup.
One of the speakers, beauty expert Craig-Alexander Wilson, told visitors: “Products must look luxurious, stand out and be able speak for themselves on shelf. Packaging plays a major role.”
On the second day Nestle group packaging manager Alison Ingle explored packaging safety and compliance.
She said: “We need a multi-lateral approach on packaging safety and compliance. Communication between each team at every stage of the process is key to producing safer packaging for consumers.”
The show launched its first ever drinks symposium, which saw speakers from Lakes Distillery, Diageo and Glenfiddich demonstrate the power of packaging.
Diageo design leader Claire Negus told delegates: “Packaging acts as the embodiment of our brand. It takes time and effort to get it looking right.
“Companies need to identify with the brand's DNA and look at what makes the brand special before they start re-designing – you don’t have to change for the sake of changing.”
Also new was a pharmaceutical symposium and retail symposium. Michael Urso, product manager at Atlantic Zeiser, discussed the importance of serialisation in a keynote pharma presentation.
“Serialisation is going to be the biggest challenge facing the pharmaceutical industry over the next few years,” he said.
The Big Print Debate returned this year with an all-female panel discussing personalisation and its impact on the shelf and in the home.
WW Graphics Solutions business programme director at HP Nancy Janes said: “Technology keeps evolving and new formatting just hit the market, so digital print will continue to develop.
“Conventional packaging still has its place because volume will always be required; no one really wants personalised toilet rolls. Digital, hybrid and conventional print all complement each other.”
Karen Graley, packaging and reprographics manager at Waitrose, said: “Digital enables us to refresh and pimp-up our products allowing the consumer to accessorise their home, so if they want a certain coloured box of tissues in their home they can have it.”
Women in Packaging, a new organisation launched at the show, aims to connect and support female employees within the packaging industry. Joanna Stephenson founded the group.
Showfloor entertainment included the BPIF Carton’s Chatroom, pack personalisation with Xeikon, live 3D print demos, an Ecopack challenge and a Recoup plastics and packaging recycling clinic.
Visitor Plastic Bottle Company owner Glenn Doherty said: “This is the second time we’ve visited the show and since then it has doubled in size.
“There is plenty of opportunity here for SMEs and large businesses looking for the latest packaging innovations and ideas. Great show; we’ll be back next year.”
The next Easyfairs packaging event will be Packaging Innovations London & Luxury Packaging at London Olympia on 16 and 17 September 2015.
For more information, visit: www.easyfairs.com/pi-london.
