However, it hasn't been all doom and gloom; exhibitions such as Ipex have pushed sales volumes up, albeit slowly. Autobond, for example, sold a host of kit, including Mini 74 and Mini 78 laminators, to customers from countries including Malta, Saudi Arabia and Australia. D&K also experienced steady sales during Ipex.
"Things have picked up quite a bit especially in sales outside of the UK. Our machines have recently gone to Europe and the Middle East," says Turner.
These purchases are mainly the smaller machines, she cautions, a trend experienced by other manufacturers.
"It's been quite difficult, especially in the large-format sector where there is overcapacity," says Melanie Enser, marketing manager at Colourgen.
"If we are seeing any sort of trend it is for lower-priced bottom-end machines as buyers become more price conscious," she explains. "There are more cold laminators being bought by print shops, but then again this is because they are cheaper."
Research goes on
Despite the grim outlook, manufacturers are still engaging in research and development with a raft of new kit unveiled at Ipex. Among these were manufacturer D&K with its compact B2 thermal laminator and Autobond with a host of new laminators.
If you're looking to invest in new equipment make sure you choose a machine that is flexible enough to handle the work you may be producing in the future, advise the experts.
"Have an idea what your volumes are going to be and try to plan ahead," says Turner.
Colourgen's Enser also cautions that buying a basic machine for your current needs is false economy.
"A lot of buyers are focusing on quick and cheap laminators that does not meet their future needs, its important to think about future business requirements," says Enser.
What's new in laminating and encapsulating...
- Coatings supplier Graphic Image Films launched its first biodegradable film for conventional and thermal lamination in March
- Finishing manufacturer D&K released a raft of equipment and films at Ipex, including a DS addition to the Jupiter range and a compact B2 machine, the Europa. Other new products included the Comet encapsulator
- Finishing kit supplier Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS) unveiled a tie-up with Czech laminator maker Komfi at Ipex, although the deal initially only covered the smaller-format Aspira and Delta laminators. However, last month, IFS boosted its product range with a high-end laminator from Komfi, the 50m-per-minute Sagitta
- At Ipex, Autobond launched its entry-level Mini 76 MF. This new B2 laminator has a footprint of 1.2x1.2m and has an output speed of 30m/minute. Also on show at the exhibition was the manufacturer’s new Mini 76 TPH, a B2 landscape (or B1 portrait) laminator, which was shown working in-line with a Mini 36 SUV, a unit that can inkjet print a spot UV, LED curable varnish on top of matt film
