The digital kit vendor will use the three-day show as a springboard for its enhanced flagship press, the Pro C901 Graphic Arts +, which will get its UK debut at the event after its premiere at Hunkeler Innovationdays last month. The press, which features a new front end and can now handle substrates up to 350 gsm, will begin shipping in the summer.
"There might have been a few companies that have pulled out, but we based our decision on the merit of the event itself, which in the past has been very good for us," said Ricoh UK head of production print Stephen Palmer.
"We’re quite excited about the inclusion of packaging [in the show] too. There are quite a number of digitally printed packaging applications we’re looking at now, so that opens up a new avenue and at the end of the day I think the event will be attended by the kind of people that we’re trying to reach. We think it will be a very strong event for us."
As well as the Graphic Arts +, the company will be demonstrating the Pro C751, a Pro 1357 high-volume mono press and its Drupa-launched wide-format machine, the MP CW2200SP, as well as some new workflow products.
Ricoh’s confirmation follows EFI’s recent commitment to double its 2011 footprint at the show this year, taking 36sqm.
Danny Morris, regional sales director, EFI Northern Europe singled out the shows broader remit, following the addition of packaging and cross-media to its established commercial print offering as one of the key drivers behind its bigger presence.
He said that the company will use the event to demonstrate its packaging and commercial print workflows, from job submission and web-to-print, as well as its latest Fiery front ends and the latest additions to its MIS portfolio, including Technique.
North Print & Pack 2013 sales manager Mary Buck said that the EFI and Ricoh confirmations might not represent the last leading digital players to commit to the show, hinting that one or two more big names could be announced in the near future. She also said that Informa remains confident that the show will achieve its 3,000-plus visitor target.
"Everything’s going really well and we’re confident that it will be a fantastic show. As well as big name exhibitors the seminar programme is really strong, with speakers from Tesco, Twinings and Microsoft and Landa. We’ve got some great speakers," said Buck.
North Print & Pack runs from 14-16 May at the Harrogate International Centre.
