Heidelberg reported healthy sales at Drupa, with orders of more than 544m (EUR800m) "comfortably ahead of its expectations". This is expected to take Heidelberg's quarterly intake order level to over 680m.

Chief executive Bernhard Schreier said the positive spirit that had been shown in discussions at the show fuelled his confidence that the industry would continue to improve over the next three months.

After three weak years, Schreier expects the industry to rebound noticeably.

Notable sales to UK customers included the first Diana Pro 114 line to MY Holdings, and Healey's purchase of Heidelberg's long-perfecting B3 press, the Speedmaster 52-8-P-H.

Smaller UK firms also had a good show. Tech-ni-fold managing director, and inventor of the Tri-Creaser, Graham Harris has celebrated what he described as a "phenomenal Drupa".

"Every day we have been visited by people wanting to become agents or resellers, with almost one in 10 seeking to be an agent," he said.

He may have to hire more staff, which is "a nice problem to have".

UK pre-press supplier HighWater sold in excess of 40 of its Python platesetters to companies "from Russia to Belize".

International sales manager Charlie Seccombe said: "The factory is stacked out and will be for several months. Business is good."

Story by Andy Scott at Drupa