The Düsseldorf expo, taking place from 28 May to 7 June, will see the likes of Blumer (Hall 15-E30-5), Hunkeler (8A-A20), Hunkeler Systeme (1-B42), Koenig & Bauer Duran (16-A31) and Baumann Perfecta (15-E30-4) joined by GUK (6-C31), Hohner (15-E20), Kama (1-B51), Kohmann (10-B9), Komfi (6-A41), Palamides (6-F22), Wohlenburg (15-E20), and Zechini (14-C02) at the city’s 306,000sqm Messe exhibition centre.

The floorspace for Friedheim’s exclusive partners alone will take up around 3,000sqm of the show – with partner machines also set to appear throughout the show in production lines on many of the printer vendors’ stalls.

Among new developments set to be on show at Drupa are Blumer’s new Atlas 1110 DoubleStack and AG-4220 die-cutter machine; Hunkeler (8A-A20) will reveal a new Gen8 roll-to-stack; Kama (1-B51) will launch its Hammerhead embellishment engine; and Zechini has teased a new ‘VIP’ bookbinding line.

Baumann Perfecta will also show off a completely automated BASS cutting line, complete with robotics; Hohner will demonstrate its fully-automated HSB 13,000 saddlestitcher with 90-second makeready time; and Komfi has promised to show 10 different laminators and coaters on it stand.

Senior correspondents at Friedheim commented: “Friedheim have been attending Drupa since the first ever event and our manufacturers have had stands throughout that time, so as a team we are all looking forward to landing in Düsseldorf after a long eight year wait. Our partners have developed some amazing technology to launch at the show and we think there will be a lot on offer, especially to our long-term customers here in the UK.”

Friedheim recently snapped up a distribution deal for GUK, giving it rights to sell the German post-press machinery manufacturer's equipment in the mainland UK.