Catching Up, Looking Up

Published: October 01, 2009, By Yolanda Simonsis

First, thanks to all who sent me well wishes. The pelvis is on the mend, and the wheel chair no longer is in use — nor the pain meds! I'll be able to abandon my title as armchair philosopher soon.

But while I'm temporarily still holding the title, please allow me some leeway to touch on several bits of news involving our industry.

• In chronological order, I heard PRINT 09, held September 11-16 in Chicago (where the 2016 Olympics will not be held) was on the whole a success. While attendance was down (not unexpected), the show featured several new venues, among them the PackPrint section. In addition, our sister publication, American Printer, introduced its AP-TV coverage of the show (visit: http://americanprinter.com/tv/viewing/index.html). And PFFC managing editor Claudia Hine was impressed by a new product for converters: The coolest thing I saw was the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 printer for flexo and gravure proofing, which is based on a 24-in. platform. It will feature UltraChrome HDR aqueous-based white ink that uses clear organic resin technology to create the illusion of white with amazing white density and no known carcinogens.
• Labelexpo Europe, held September 22-26 in Brussels, Belgium, was claimed the largest ever in terms of exhibitors and exhibition space, hopefully signaling an economic recovery. It attracted 24,169 visitors from 125 countries. That's nothing to scoff at.
• As for trade shows in general, Gallus Printing Machinery Corp. president Michael Pfaff comments: I think we are seeing a slow but certain shift in the way we market equipment and in the importance of tradeshows. Through access to so much information over the Internet, both buyers and sellers realize that it is not necessary to go to the “supermarket” to find or sell what is new anymore. I can see a future that has Drupa and Labelexpo and not much else.
• Some breaking news that will leave our industry cheering comes from the third quarter 2009 Economic Index survey of the Assn. of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters & Laminators, Fort Mill, SC (visit: http://pffc-online.com/aimcal/aimcal-3q-2009-economic-index/): The current general activity index rose more than 17 points for the quarter and continued its climb for the third consecutive quarter. This quarter's reading of 36.67 doubles last quarter's reading and is the second positive reading in a row. The current general activity index has increased more than 94 points since bottoming out in the fourth quarter of 2008 at -57.45. The index is at its highest level since the first quarter of 2008. The forecasted index increased more than 34 points to a value of 68.33. This is its highest value since December 2006 when a value of 77.50 was reported.

Seems like more than my pelvis is on the mend!

My friends call me…Yo.

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