More than 18 months after the pandemic hit Germany and forced businesses into home offices, only two-fifths of companies say they have provided the tools and technology needed to maintain employee productivity regardless of where they work, according to a survey released today by Ricoh Europe.

The first in-person trade fairs have already taken place. Messe Frankfurt is ready to resume in-person events with its proven safety and hygiene concept and requirement that everyone be vaccinated, recovered or tested. The first events have already been held successfully, and the next in-person events will be opening their doors in Frankfurt in September.

By Craig Lewis, Head of Enterprise Printing, Ricoh Europe

The increase in employees working from home is one of the consequences of the pandemic that has been most talked about. Sometimes celebrated, sometimes criticised. But, inescapably, a hugely prominent corporate phenomenon of the last 18 months.

42 per cent of home office workers say that the lack of appropriate technology or equipment has affected their productivity. 45 per cent are not satisfied with their employer's support when working from home

A defining factor for graphics, packaging and publication printing across the next decade will be adjusting to print buyer demands for shorter and faster print runs. This will reshape the cost dynamics of print buying radically, and is creating a new imperative to invest in new equipment, even as the commercial landscape is reshaped by the experience of COVID-19.

As an important signpost for the European packaging industry, FACHPACK, which will take place from 28 to 30 September, naturally also aims to depict trends that move the industry.

That was the finding of the second round of Messe Frankfurt’s customer survey. Known as the Customer Care Campaign (CCC), the survey was first conducted in autumn 2020 and then repeated in spring 2021. The goal was for local sales partners to contact Messe Frankfurt’s customers during the coronavirus pandemic, inform them of trade fair cancellations and support their efforts to participate in current and future trade fairs – all while invigorating Messe Frankfurt’s sales network.

Mental Health, Community Effort, Inner Peace and Equality are just some of the topics young creators say need more focus.

The global market for print and finishing equipment will reach $15.9 billion in 2021, despite seeing a recovery from the disruption caused by COVID, the outlook of the market remains challenging through to 2026. This will place a premium on new technologies, value-adding systems and services, sand greater automation, as print OEMs look to maintain profitability.

After Julia Uherek and Philipp Ferger took over as Vice Presidents of Consumer Goods Fairs at Messe Frankfurt Exhibition on 01 June 2021, they are now setting up their team with an eye to the future. Further personnel changes at management level will come into effect on 01 July 2021.

Trade fairs pave the way for economic upswings and are a key to prosperity – this is something that Nicola Beer, Vice President of the European Parliament, and Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, both emphasised when they met at the home base of Germany's biggest trade fair organiser. Beer also spoke forcefully about the importance of international trade fairs to a strong, stable and healthy economy.

Results Show Preference for Printed Materials

SCREEN Americas announces its sponsorship of research recently conducted by the Book Manufacturers’ Institute, a non-profit trade association for the book manufacturing industry.