Recession breeds opportunity

Firstly, all recessions are opportunities as well as threats. Leading global businesses like Apple, Google and Starbucks were launched at the depths of previous recessions. Why? Because recessions force everybody, from consumers downwards, to reconsider how they operate. When everything is growing nicely, it's hard to change attitudes or investment strategies. Now, everything is in movement.

Consider just one trend: the dramatic growth of private labels, or store brands, not just in the 'value' sector, but also now moving upmarket to the mid and even premium level. Their challenge is how to add value at minimum cost. The global brands are responding by reconsidering how they pack, label and distribute, launching their own 'mid value' brands.

What else has the recession done? Buyers are looking to cut costs by ordering less, but more often - already a trend before the crisis, but now accelerated. This will require re-tooling entire supply chains.

The technologies which enable converters to take advantage of these opportunities will be on display at Labelexpo: a new generation of servo presses which can be embedded into plant-wide management systems; JDF-enabled workflows which link estimating, stock control, customer relations management, graphics pre-press and internet proofing systems; the next generation of faster, higher quality digital presses ' including new contenders in the exploding inkjet sector; 'eco-friendly' paper and films. The list goes on.

If there is one print show you visit this year, it has to be Labelexpo.