The Visual Media Association has issued a member and industry-wide invitation to a sneak-peek release of its annual industry metrics findings, with the full report due in February.

Heidelberg has just hosted hundreds of customers at its Heidelberg Days, and showcased its Prinect Touch Free cloud-based, AI-driven, digital workflow, which it says is the future of print.

With its new generation of cutsheet colour printers, its first inkjet B2 press, a new continuous feed inkjet, and multiple software developments, Ricoh had an action-packed stand.

MIS developer Optimus focused on three product areas; its main Dash MIS platform, its web-to-print system, and the integration its offers through its open API solution.

Muller Martini had a quartet of automated, industrial production lines on show, all integrated into its Connex workflow, and was also highlighting its MM Services concept.

Konica Minolta had one of the biggest stands at drupa, and launched a host of new technologies in digital print and embellishing, all set out and working in a SmartFactory layout.

Kodak showcased both its digital technology and traditional print solutions, all designed, it said, to help printers increase productivity and profitability.

The new Jetfire 50 B3 inkjet printing system from Heidelberg, which was showcased at drupa, is now going into demo operation at the company’s Print Media Center.

HP Indigo had the largest stand at drupa, in fact the whole of Hall 17, and released multiple new print solutions and enhancements across its range of commercial, packaging and labels presses.

Blue Star is investing $30m in a new facility that will consolidate several of its current Auckland operations into an integrated 25,000sqm site, and will include the first press of its type in the region.

The Horizon stand featured a trio of ‘smart’ book solutions, including a plowfold book production system, an inline cutsheet printer, a book production system, and a cut and stack smart binding system.

Heidelberg launched its new peak performance 21,000sph Speedmaster XL 106 on the stand at drupa, and highlighted its digital drive with systems integration and its digital inkjet plans.

Imaging giant Fujifilm had one of the biggest stands at the drupa, and used it to show a swag of new print solutions in commercial and packaging hardware, software and consumables.

National print franchise group Kwik Kopy is using a new web-to-print portal to enable its franchisees to engage with small businesses and the consumer market through its website.

Canon is launching two new imagePrograf Pro roll-to-roll wide format print systems, and showing its latest imagePress cut-sheet print systems on its stand, both simulating real-world operations.

Marketing services group IVE, which is the country’s biggest print business, saw all its key profit metrics rise in the 2023/24 financial year, on revenue that was virtually unchanged, at just short of $1bn.