With just hours to go until the doors opened, exhibitors at this year's Ipex watched months of preparation and millions of pounds, euros, dollars and yuan fall into place as the stands were readied for the opening.

Heidelberg, one of the biggest exhibitors, started planning its stand two years ago and was first to arrive at the NEC on 20 April. Heidelberg UK marketing manager Mark Hogan, says, with a wry smile, that the build-up had been "absolutely seamless".

However, Heidelberg failed to beat a group of four Indian visitors, who inexplicably turned up a month early for the show.

Andrew Sloane manages health and safety for the event, and says that the build-up period for Ipex was one of the longest he'd seen.

It may well be one of the greenest too. Joe Grinter of J&G Environmental helps dispose of chemicals and waste for many of the exhibitors at Ipex, and says that this year, levels of waste are being dramatically reduced.

"It's amazing," he said. "Already we're seeing volumes down between 50%-60% on Ipex 2006."

However, the pre-show preparations haven't been without incident. Sloane said one Chinese manufacturer had asked for petrol to clean its rollers.

The request was refused, so the company walked to the nearest service station with a jerry can and filled up, resulting in one exasperated health and safety officer.