UK manufacturers voiced their approval at the decision to postpone the Imprinta exhibition until 2003.


Imprinta was planned for June 2002, eight weeks after Ipex, but will now run from 20-25 February 2003.


Centurfax managing director Bob Leslie said: "They were so close that we didn't think that as a small company it would be feasible doing both. Now we'll have to have a rethink. We've already booked for Ipex and we'll have to consider booking at Imprinta."


Messe Dusseldorf managing director Horst Klosterkemper said: "We took this step for a good reason. It can't be in the interests of the international exhibiting industry if two international trade fairs covering the graphic communications industry are held within eight weeks of each other."


Another British manufacturer that declared its relief was HighWater.


"It's wonderful news - it had been causing a few headaches with the two exhibitions being so close together because there was no way anyone would attend both," said marketing manager Sue Wood. HighWater will exhibit at both shows.


An Agfa spokesman said Ipex had now gained prestige. "Ipex is now more relevant than Imprinta because of its new positioning. We'll be at both of course."


Story by John Davies