The press giant announced last month that it would concentrate on applications for its equipment at the event, rather than displaying machines themselves.

PrintCity, a member network of a number of manufacturers and suppliers, including Manroland, will share an area with the press manufacturer at the Birmingham show next month.

Rainer Kuhn, managing director for PrintCity Alliance, said: "It is a perfectly understandable development in the current market situation. Manroland does not need to show a broad range of equipment, it just needs good examples of potential products its machines can produce. Printers know presses, they know how to use them.

"Look at Ifra, you don't find presses there when you used to in the past. It means that visitors will have more time to talk rather than watching equipment."

PrintCity members will promote the concept of co-operation at the exhibition, with a joint stand for all its members. It will also have a joint communications area, allowing customers to approach several members at a time.

In addition, PrintCity will update three of its existing projects, including the results of an investigation into the introduction of wide-format printing, status updates on a project on the carbon footprint of print, plus a best practice guide on the implementation of standards.