Xerox commits to PrintWeekLive! with bigger presence

Xerox has signed up to the second edition of PrintWeekLive! as a headline sponsor, as it looks to help printers add value to the printed page by what it dubs "CMYK plus”.

“The main reason we’re getting involved again, is, frankly, off the back of last year. We had good results and we liked the balance and the format of the event because it covers lots of sectors: printers, buyers and vendors,” said Andrew Morrison, managing director Xerox UK and Ireland.

The firm will take a 72sqm stand at the award-winning March show, up from the 54sqm stand it took last year and joins Close Brothers Asset Finance, Heidelberg, Premier Paper Group and Tharstern on PrintWeekLive!’s roster of headline sponsors.

Morrison said that the show format of mixing the latest technology with inspirational conference sessions and practical workshops fitted well with Xerox’s strategy of going “beyond the printed page”.

“The industry’s requirements are evolving, vendors have to have a broader portfolio beyond purely print by offering help and support, software solutions and workflow capabilities to drive not only efficiencies in the printroom, but also enhance the capabilities [of customers] to go beyond the printed page.

“PrintWeekLive! has a nice balance between looking at the tangible technologies, mixed up with problem solving workshops, and a good range of inspirational speakers. So, it offers visitors a number of good reasons to attend – from the technology and applications on display, the ability to network, to engage with problem solving in the workshops, and listen to best practice and the emerging trends from some of the leading individuals in the industry.

“I think that’s why we like it, as opposed to the pure exhibition-type events.”

The firm will use its enlarged stand to demonstrate end-to-end print production automation all the way from client acquisition, campaign management, and data integration through to automated pre-press, print and integrated, automated finishing.

It will also demonstrate how printers can expand the use of print online via “physical to digital” online publishing and campaign tracking with analytics.

“We’ll be showing a print, and broader, automated eco-system and what that can look like, in terms of driving value through efficiencies, connectivity and integration,” said Kevin O’Donnell, head of marketing – Graphic Communications and Production Systems, Xerox UK, Ireland and The Nordics.

O’Donnell said that the company would reveal the production engines it planned to bring to the Wasps Arena in March nearer the time, but that a key focus would be “CMYK plus embellishments”, which add value to the printed page via its own and also partner solutions.

“We will make sure we have the latest greatest on the stand that will draw people to the stand and also the show,” said O’Donnell.

The company’s two workshop sessions will also be around the CMYK plus theme.

“We will talk about ways in which printers can not only enhance what they do but also drive more revenue and, importantly, profit,” he added.

PrintWeekLive! takes place at the Wasps Arena, Coventry on 7/8 March. To register for the show and keep up to date with the latest announcements on exhibitors, conference speakers and workshop sessions, visit printweeklive.com.