What do you feel were the main trends and key industry developments in 2023?
From our perspective the trend is for more automation, automation, automation. We have experienced an accelerating trend in 2023 from most leading print companies looking to increase investment in more automated print finishing systems. In turn this has enabled IFS, in collaboration with our partners Horizon and Tecnau to be at the forefront in supplying innovative, automated print finishing systems that meet this demand to reduce operator touch points, improve output speeds and utilise less labour.
How have the continuing economic and market specific challenges affected you and your customers during 2023 – have you had to do anything differently to adapt/react?
The headwinds in business are strong, high interest rates, high inflation, labour and skill shortages, and some disrupted supply chains. But despite all these challenges, I have seen incredible resilience in our sector, and those that have continued to innovate and diversify to deliver the very best outcomes for their customers have stronger businesses for it, regardless of the economic headwinds.
What do you expect to be the main trends, key industry developments, and biggest opportunities for printers in 2024?
There will likely be an acceleration of M&A as ambitious print companies make strategic acquisitions of either direct competitors or peers that enable them to diversify their product offering. Consolidation will continue, which in itself will drive more investment in more technology and automation.
What are your hopes and expectations for Drupa 2024?
With the world around us so uncertain, trade fairs like Drupa really do bring the business communities together, which enables entrepreneurship and enterprise to flourish. Bring on Drupa and world trade fairs like it in every sector, bring peace and prosperity for all. Our team at IFS can’t wait for Drupa 2024. Bring it on!
AI (artificial intelligence) has been one of the hot topics of 2023 – what opportunities and threats do you think it poses for print in 2024 and beyond?
AI must be embraced; it is here and it isn't going away. The sooner we adopt its use across our business processes, then the faster we can respond in taking decisions based on meaningful information. AI will be adopted more widely across the print sector soon and will be able to enhance engineering and support service. In addition, the sector needs to seriously consider the faster adoption of robotic arms for minimising manual loading tasks and also invest in advanced AGV (automated guided vehicles) for the heavy lifting around the factory floor.
How can suppliers better help printers navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in 2024?
We have a plan for that here at IFS, and we do this everyday, our team of highly experienced account managers is well versed in our strategy and in bringing positive messages and great advice to our customers, but I don’t want to say it here and let our competitors in on our secrets!
