Packaging Innovations builds on previous success

Packaging Innovations, Empack, and Contract Pack & Fulfilment saw three focused shows taking place under one roof, as one of the first major print and packaging shows of the calendar year.

The 2023 show took place last week between February 15^th and 16^th at the NEC in Birmingham. Last year the show returned in May after several delays due to logistics and the pandemic.

As a result, the 2022 exhibition took place at a much busier time of the year and felt more trepidatious as visitors adjusted to live events again.

This year the event took place in its usual slot with a lot more confidence as it kicked off the 2023 calendar for print and packaging events. The event saw many new and returning exhibitors including companies such as Coveris, Diamond Box, Graphic Packaging, and AM Labels.

This year also saw a surge of European exhibitors, many of which were exhibiting for the first time. However, due to the recent devastating earthquakes in Turkey, there were a number of exhibitors that could not attend.

Organiser of the event, Easyfairs Group, still filled the empty stands with pull-up banners about the absent company and information on how people could contact the business or donate to humanitarian efforts in Turkey.

Mega Print Pack, was one Turkish company that still managed to attend due to the fact the business is based in Istanbul. Like many exhibiting, the company has a long history of print, but moved into packaging one year ago, due to customer demand.

The company says its biggest verticals are sustainable products, with more and more customers choosing cardboard over plastic, as well as food-friendly and sustainable inks.

As the event showcases the whole packaging supply chain, the show has given many the chance to interact and speak with a variety of guests and visitors. With professionals from packaging, research and development, marketing, buying, branding, and design, the event acts as a hub for businesses to learn and collaborate with others.

Interestingly, a number of exhibitors Print Monthly spoke to at the event reported experiencing an influx of visitors attempting to sell products such as paper and glue products to them at their own stands. This sheds a light on the ways in which businesses are navigating live exhibitions and using them for networking and marketing more so than before.

Companies such as Herbert Walkers, Bristol Labels, Dufaylite, and AM Labels all had presences at the event having recently made large investments in premises and machinery, putting them in a strong position to sell to potential customers.

Mike Lammas from Herbert Walkers said exhibiting at the show made it clear how busy and competitive the market currently is. “It’s easy to see how important it is to stand out and offer added value, otherwise companies will find themselves doing very similar things,” said Lammas.

Glass printing company Colorlites has experienced the same thing with glass bottles and candle holders having become its biggest products. One area the company has seen success in according to managing director Paul Todd, is its dye diffusion products with consumers moving away from plastic shrink wrap.

Using a printing method rather than plastic shrink wrap, dye diffusion provides a plastic-free and more durable solution to decorating glass bottles such as those for high-end alcohol spirits.

Marketing manager for GMG Color, which exhibited at stand G24, said the big themes of the event were saving costs and autonomy. With the increases in energy prices and supplies, GMG and many others have found that customers are researching new ways to operate and work effectively in-house in order to keep control of production times and costs.

With a busy opening and a strong second day, Packaging Innovations offered visitors a varied show with lots to see, filled with businesses keen to speak to potential customers and showcase what they had to offer.

With plenty of packed presentations and talks, the exhibition is a good sign for live events for the rest of 2023.

To see more of the show, check out our video recap above, or if you’d like to share news or opinions with us feel free to email news@printmonthly.co.uk or join in with the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn.